ZWL vs. Celebration Series ZW + Bricks

New Member here. Have read this entire thread, and am wondering if repair parts are available for my ZW-C controllers. Both of them have the grinding and clicking noise coming out of the right control arm, and the power to the track is not correct. Thanks for your help!

John and GGG.......

Thanks for the information concerning the new brackets needed for the ZWC, and yes, it is only the early model that came with the 135 bricks, correct?  I also have a ZWC, later model with 180 bricks, and it does not exhibit a drop in output.  I have the meter bridge on my early ZWC and at times I can only achieve an output of 10-12 volts per the metering.  I am in hopes the metal brackets are still available and I will be able to fix this irritation.  Other than that, I am well pleased with the ZWCs and the 180 bricks I have (6) and the 135 bricks (5) for what I have in my layout and roster.  Again, many thanks.

Jesse

Gentlemen,

    Anybody know where I can purchase a used ZW-L in great shape for a reasonable Price?  Might as well light up the neighborhood, and not just the house.  I really would like to add the programmable Technology part of the ZW-L to my Christmas layout, and Scotty we can always us more power!

PCRR/Dave

Steve Emme posted:

New Member here. Have read this entire thread, and am wondering if repair parts are available for my ZW-C controllers. Both of them have the grinding and clicking noise coming out of the right control arm, and the power to the track is not correct. Thanks for your help!

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...p;resultsPerPage=250

Thanks for the exploded diagram of the ZWC. I take it I need the potmetal part #17 for both my transformers? Should just replace both sides at same time? This will fix what acts like a slipping ratchet?  Thanks for all your help.

Get what they still have that you need while the getting is good!

I have one of those, I ordered the two brackets, but I haven't installed them yet.  I figured like you do Chuck!

These brackets are the same for RH and LH it looks?

OK...... went onto Lionel.com and found the brackets, (item #17, part #6102859065) and I assume you have to be a registered dealer/repair tech to purchase any?  This is from trying on-line this morning.  I am able to perform the repairs, myself, now I know what it entails and what is needed.  If I am not able to acquire from Lionel, directly, does anyone know how and/or where I can acquire?  I have one of the early ZWC transformers, 6-22982,  and it does need the brackets replaced.  Sometimes I am only able to get 10-12 volts output, according to the Lionel meter bridge mounted to the ZW.

Thanks,

Jesse

I wish I had found this site 10 years ago..

texastrain posted:

OK...... went onto Lionel.com and found the brackets, (item #17, part #6102859065) and I assume you have to be a registered dealer/repair tech to purchase any?

No, just add quantity (2) to your cart, scroll up to "Go to Checkout", and enter your payment/shipping info.

Steve Emme posted:

I wish I had found this site 10 years ago..

Understood!

2003 for me!

Rob,

I did all as you stated above, still not able to complete transaction.  That was what had me all bewildered.  Thanks for the clarification, sir, I will give another try as before.

Jesse

TCA

I actually went through every step short of buying.

You must have cookies enabled for the cart to work.

New member for only a couple days, and I get to give advice, love it. After reading through these threads, I tried the Lionel site and couldn't make it work. Googled the part number, it sent me to Trainz.com, and they sell the part at a 40% discount. Try that.

the redirect is new, but I have had customer service verbally refer me to trainz.com for parts, like a board for a Thomas LC engine when they had none in stock. I was told they are one of the larger parts buying dealers.

Rob and Steve,

  Well, that is what I get for not reading the Forum first, this morning.  I had success in getting my order for two brackets from Lionel go through this morning, hope to be receiving them soon.  Glad to hear you can order parts from trainz.com.  I have made many purchases from trainz.com and first started buying O Gauge from Scott in train shows back in the late '80s, before he expanded and formed his current endeavor, Trainz.com.  Saving 40% on anything is great, but still happy to be able acquire what I need to correct the early ZWC transformer, and have an extra bracket to stock, just in case.  When I have time to make corrections, will take pics and post for those interested.

Rob, thanks for all the input, sir.......

Jesse

Received the brackets from Trainz today, really rapid delivery. Anyone have any tips to make the job easier or faster? I'm changing both of them on 2 ZWC's.

All...    Finally found time to replace one of the pot mounts in my ZW-C on the A-B posts. It was fairly, very, easy to do.  Only problem I came across was the original screws used to reinstall the pots assembly onto the new aluminum mount, they did not want to easily screw into the associated mounting holes in the aluminum pc.  Had it been communicated with the new aluminum mount, or I had checked better and have different screws at hand, it would be a breeze on this procedure.  I looked at my parts supply, but did not have any the right size and thread.  Today I went to Lowe's and acquired the proper machine screws, M3-.50x20.  I will use these and the second alum pot mount on the C-D posts of my ZW-C at a later date.  Although what I bought are 20mm length, I believe 12mm may also work, but may be too short and not have as many threads to secure sufficiently.  Also, the "free play" present in my ZW-C A-B handles was not eliminated with the installation of the new aluminum mount.  This I had to correct with shimming of the gears shaft, beneath the original aluminum bracket.  When re-installing the pots on the new mount, be certain to rotate your pots in proper direction to ensure zero output and full 18 volt output as corresponding with handle positioning. Also, it will be needed to glue proper shimming on the new aluminum mount for elimination of vertical play in the pots themselves as they are rotated by the gearing.

Refer to attached pictures, listed in sequence.

Jesse    TCA

Great job, thanks for the nice detailed pictures.  I saved that one.

Thanks, John.....     I really should have looked at the new mounts closer and made certain I did have correct fasteners for the tapped holes.  Oh well......   I will re-tap the "forced thread" holes when I go back into it for correction on the C-D posts and also install with the 3mm screws.  I also picked up package of 3mm nuts ..so .....

What really surprised me was the free play of the shafts within the allotted space between the 4 screw mounting posts.  Did not measure, but the gap between the bottom of the original aluminum bracket and the top of the gears shaft was not enough to be of use to prevent shaft free play.  Also, with no bushings, no close tolerances, or other means, I do not see what did ensure no shaft play, resulting in gear misalignment.  Also have free play on the C-D side, but not as severe.  Is this something only found with the early models of the ZW-C transformers ?

Jesse   TCA    

I have the brackets, but I don't use the ZW-C right now, so I haven't gotten around to putting them in.  It's nice to see the process by someone else, and knowing the stuff to avoid and any issues that might crop up.