ZW Transformer

Here's a schematic...there are two versions. The early and the R model.

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd2g.htm

You will have to remove the top and access the coil taps to unsolder. Polarity does not matter so a polarized plug is not needed. I buy an appliance cord from Ace hardware the kind for waffle makers and fry pans, they are not polarized so you can still phase the transformer with another one if needed.

Frank

Thanks for that tip. I was wondering about the polarity part.

Thanks for the schematic

Jeff, this may be more information than you ever wanted to know.  It was posted in an earlier topic that really got into the weeds.  The most intensive part of replacing the cord is removing the core to get to the 120V soldering holes.

KW electric cord Forum Topic

2/19/12   "In my experience as an electrician and transformer repairman:  The wiring convention for postwar ZW transformers is for the ribbed wire of the power cord to be attached the bottom of the ZW 120V contact plate.  If you wish to use polarized plugs note that polarized plugs are made with the ribbed wire of the 2 wire cord attached to the wide blade (neutral socket).

Attach the neutral (ribbed) wire to the bottom of that contact plate and your postwar ZWs will be in phase with most modern transformers also.   Always double check. Factories are still making cord wiring errors."

2/20/12   "~~, my English is deficient.  You asked, "Where did the convention originate? Have you seen a ZW transformer with an original Lionel polarized Lionel cord? I ask because as I posted above, I have not."

The convention I spoke of regarded the attachment of the core with with ribbed insulation to the bottom terminal in the ZW.  All the original cords I have seen had the ribbed cord connected to the bottom terminal.  No original cords had polarized plugs.

On modern 2 wire cords with polarized plugs the wire with ribbing on the insulation is attached to the wide/neutral blade of the plug.  If you buy a #16 2 wire cord with a polarized plug attached and connect the ribbed wire to the bottom ZW terminal, it will "probably be in phase with modern transformers" when plugged into a polarized plug strip."