what happens if you take single postwar ZW, wire two throttles to one track and turn the juice on both all the way to full? Can you double the power output for the transformer?
also, same scenario - what happens if you turn one throttle all the way up while the other throttle is all the wish down? Does power feedback through the off throttle from the full throttle?
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This sounds like a recipe for production of Magic Smoke!
@DdotCdot, no need to do that - each throttle is capable of fully providing the full power of the transformer by itself. Using two throttles tied together does not add or double the power of a traditional postwar ZW and is not recommended at all.
This is not to be confused with phasing together two separate transformers in a common ground setup to provide more power districts for a power hungry layout which is encouraged for the larger setups.
To better assist you, I would first ask why you are seeking more power? Are you experiencing some undesired operation such as slowing locomotives, or circuit breakers popping?
DO NOT Wire two throttles on a zw together. You gain nothing and can ruin the transformer. If the throttles are not in the exact same position, you would have a short across some of the secondary windings of the transformer.
One throttle can consume all the power.
C W Burfle posted:... If the throttles are not in the exact same position, you would have a short across some of the secondary windings of the transformer...
I have measured this fault current with a ZW and the current is oddly quite small at 2 & 4 volt differences, but quickly climbs to a damaging 15-20 amps & pinned off the scale on a 30 amp ammeter at just 6-8 volts.
As others have noted above, the answer is a resounding NO!. The ZW has a single internal secondary winding. Both handles control rollers that make contact with that winding. So all of the current, whether feeding 1 handle or all 4, flows through that winding.
DD,
Very bad idea, never do it.
PCRR/Dave
I agree with the answers provided in this thread but one thing that remains unanswered in why do you want more power to the track. Todays DC can motor engines draw very little current, the old universal Pullmore universal motor engines only draw a few amps. With the largest of engines with two Pullmore motors you may be pulling 30-50 watts. That power demand is easily supported by one ZW transformer or a MTH Z4000
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