ZW (refurbished) Questions!

The green light is a pilot light. It is always on.
The red light indicates a tripped breaker.
The red light will only be on while the breaker is tripped, and there is a load on the transformer. Set the handles back to off, or remove all the loads and the light will go out, even if the breaker is still open.

Speaking of breakers, many people, myself included, recommend using external circuit protection with the real ZW. One breaker on each terminal "A", "B", "C", "D".

How many trains?
I would recommend using the "A" and "D" handles for trains. I use "B" for switch motors and "C" for uncoupling tracks. And a separate transformer for accessories.  (But I have them on hand, don't need to buy anything)

@C W Burfle - is spot-on-correct. The only things I would add ...

1. The rivet does not appear to signify anything about date of manufacture. It may be that the repair person had to "hang" something internally and added a hook inside (the rivet on the outside being an indication). 

2. The breaker is almost a must-have, and as CW says, on all four posts. 

3. As far as I know, and based on only limited experience with blocking (as opposed to using either TMCC or DCS), the ZW's can run a lot more than four trains. With command control, my ZW can push ten locos at once. 

4. Keep the ZW well-ventilated. It gets warm, if not outright hot to the touch. 

My two cents...

First:  Get rebuild details and price on the rebuilt ZW.

:?? 1)New carbon rollers on the throttle arms, 2) new stud diodes to replace the old bell/whistle copper diaphrams, 3) new cord, 4) new or repaired binding posts, 5)New or working circuit breakers.

Also know that 275 watts is primary input on the pw ZW, About 190-200 watts is secondary output as actual railpower. 

Yep, the venerable ZW is a great transformer. I use one on my medium-sized PW-style layout. Bought it right here on the forum (sorry, forget the person's name) as a refurbished model. Works great after many years.

As mentioned above, A and D handles for running two trains and B and C dials for accessories. On my layout I use one for higher voltages and the other for accessories requiring fine tuning (think the barrel loader).

A Lionel classic!

Michael,

  Two different versions of the early ZW, the oldest one is the ZW-250 with the small L on top of the Transformer, I have one of these and the other is the ZW-275 with the larger L on top of the Transformer, I also have 2 of these ZW's.  Both are very good Lionel Transformers and the main stay of most bigger layouts down thru the years.

I make sure mine are in great running order all the time, Jim here on the OGR does a great job restoring them, he also sells them at reasonable prices.   I own several he has restored to perfect working order, KW's also. 

I further recommend upgrading the old ZW's & KW's with female Banana plugs, as I have done.  Long ago I posted threads as to how to accomplish the task, pictures and all.  Used correctly with 10 Amp resettable breakers they run DCS and Legacy perfectly.

Dewey is correct actual output differs from 250 or 275, and numerous trains can be run from the 4 channels via DCS, simply vented properly and with 10 Amp Resettable Breakers, a great old Lionel Transformer even for Modern Train Running.

The draw back is that there is no Side Receiver engineering capability as with the modern Z4K.

PCRR/Dave

The original ZW is so well made and so powerful, you can weld with one of those things. Try that with the import!  Two 275 W ZW's (1959 vintage) power my layout. The only mods that I have gone with are circuit breakers on all 4 four channels. The internal breaker doesn't trip fast enough and in the past I've burned wires on the layout before it opened..

I've never heard of anyone regretting using a true ZW - chances are you won't regret it either. Once serviced, they are rock solid. As with any power source, external circuit breakers and TVS diodes are highly recommended. I'd say if you feel the price is right, go for em. I've got a number on my layout - some going back in the family as original owners.

The ZW is touted as a 4 train transformer because it has 4 individual variable voltage outputs for conventional use. Only the outer two are connected to the respective whistle/direction control switches. Most use the outer post to control two blocks (typically 1 conventional train each) and the inner to control lights, turn outs or accessories (but an auxiliary transformer is preferred for those items anyways).

To cool my l ZW forl ayout lighting  I have placed a 110 volt small box fan a few inches behind the transformer and plugged the ZW and box fan in a power strip so the fan goes on along with the ZW. The small fan keeps the ZW very cool.

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Michael,

  Two different versions of the early ZW, the oldest one is the ZW-250 with the small L on top of the Transformer, I have one of these and the other is the ZW-275 with the larger L on top of the Transformer, I also have 2 of these ZW's.  Both are very good Lionel Transformers and the main stay of most bigger layouts down thru the years.

I make sure mine are in great running order all the time, Jim here on the OGR does a great job restoring them, he also sells them at reasonable prices.   I own several he has restored to perfect working order, KW's also. 

I further recommend upgrading the old ZW's & KW's with female Banana plugs, as I have done.  Long ago I posted threads as to how to accomplish the task, pictures and all.  Used correctly with 10 Amp resettable breakers they run DCS and Legacy perfectly.

Dewey is correct actual output differs from 250 or 275, and numerous trains can be run from the 4 channels via DCS, simply vented properly and with 10 Amp Resettable Breakers, a great old Lionel Transformer even for Modern Train Running.

The draw back is that there is no Side Receiver engineering capability as with the modern Z4K.

 Jim who? 

 

 

 

One thing to watch for on a ZW is damage to the secondary windings.  Inside there are four arms with carbon rollers that roll across the square wire used for the secondary windings.  In time these rollers will wear out. They are easy to change and are readily available. If the rollers wore out and were not changed, the contact arm can wear a notch in the secondary winding wire.  Ask to take the top off and look for this damage. This is not common, but worth avoiding. If it is there I would pass.  It is not repairable, could result in heating and limit your output. 

Tom Weaver,

Jim Lawson his e-mail is jimjerrylaw@tds.net he sells and services ZW & KW Transformers at reasonable prices, his work is outstanding.

PCRR/Dave

His refurbished ZW's & KW's appear on the lower power station, and are used all the time on some of my Train Room layouts and Bumper cars.

Thanks all, for your input.

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Tom Weaver,

Jim Lawson his e-mail is jimjerrylaw@tds.net he sells and services ZW & KW Transformers at reasonable prices, his work is outstanding.

PCRR/Dave

His refurbished ZW's & KW's appear on the lower power station, and are used all the time on some of my Train Room layouts and Bumper cars.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the good words about all of my work with ZW and KW Transformers. The email address that Dave posted should be Jimjerrielaw@tds.net

My forum name is “O Gauge Jim”.

Go Patriots!!!!, Jim 

Michael Hokkanen posted:

My LHS has two Lionel 275 ZW's, older models, which were taken apart and repaired and reassembled by their in-house techie. The LHS warrants them each for one year. The techie said that after that should a problem arise, and he is doubtful that one would, that they are easy to work on. But........I have some questions.

There is a plate on top of the unit with the big Lionel letter "L" in the familiar blue/red color scheme. On one of the transformers the plate has a rivet through the center the other does not. Is this any indication of one being newer than the other? I am assuming that the model with the rivet is probably of later manufacture. It might help me decide which one to buy - IF there is a big difference.

The techie said that the ZW-275 can run four trains, two without whistles and bells. I am guessing that the original design dictated that two only trains be run with remaining controls left for accessories. Am I right?

The transformer has a red light and a green light. I am assuming that the green light indicates normal safe operation and the red light otherwise, but I am guessing. Does anybody know what the lights actually represent when using the machine?

I am thinking (had a previous post here) about picking up one or both of these. Even though they have that "old style" I have heard about their longevity and brick-like reliability. Do you have an opinion?

Any answers to my questions or related information concerning this type of transformer would be greatly appreciated. 

 

 

 

 

The one ZW with the rivet in the top insignia is the model " r " version 275 ZW-R unless the top case was replaced. On bottom of transformers some were stamped with a white R as well.

To tell if it is a model r which had some differences unscrew the 4 top case screws with transformer unplugged and look at the lamination stacks a model r has them riveted together to make them quieter and supposedly more efficient. The rivets can be seen on the roller side of the secondary coil.

Also you can look at the other ZW for the differences but as mentioned the covers can be switched. So looking inside will tell you whats what.