Lionel ZW rewiring question

[Anonymous]

First of all Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!!!

Now done to my question:

I've got an old 250 watt ZW transformer. It had a broken handle and needed a new powercord so I took it to the only shop in my area. The fixed it up and gave it a one year warentee. From what I can tell they replaced the handle and other parts and resoldiered a couple of the connections.

Now here is the problem. When I got it back there was a short whenever I used the right hand whistle. They had some soldier run down and make a connection that shouldn't have been there. I fixed that, but now I notice that the main left control (D) and the main right control (A) are connected somewhere. When I control one or the other main handle, the voltage on both changes. Connections B and C are unaffected.

So my four options seem to be
a) take it back to where I had it repaired and let them take another shot at it.
b) take it somewhere else to be fixed again
c) rewire it from scratch myself (I'm pretty handyt with an iron.)
d) give up and get a different transformer at the train show in DC this weekend.

Any suggestions?

If I do rewire it myself, option C, what gauge wire should I use. Some of the old wire is insulated with a fiberglass or woven insulation, the rest is insulated in plastic. I have the greenburg wiring guide.

Thanks again and happy holidays

The Plastic Lizard.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I looked at the wiring diagram for the ZW and am not sure how they could be crossed or connected on the inside, since they are on opposite sides of the transformer. Was your layout working correctly before you had the transformer in for repair? Is there a chance that you are missing an insulating pin in the track somewhere, thereby connecting the two throttles? Its easy to miss those, especially if you have a lot of track.

If you have a volt / ohm meter, you should use it to check the transformer, to see if that really is the problem. If you don't have a meter, it might be a good idea to get one. They are very handy for figuring out electrical problems. Using the ohm setting you can check for continuity, in an effort to isolate inadvertant connections. You can also use the meter on the track, to try to isolate problems there.

I once bought a batch of new track, and couldn't figure out why there was a short in the layout. Using my meter I found that the insulators on the center rail had been pressed so tight during the manufacturing process, that the rail had come into contact with the ties,causing direct shorts in a number of places, in many sections of track. What a mess.
These shorts just kept popping up, and had to be found and repaired. It would have been impossible without a meter.

As for changing wires inside the transformer, be careful. That old cloth covered wire has a long life and the cloth may have better heat handeling properties than some modern wire types.

[Anonymous]

I removed the wires to the track and found the problem using a multimeter. There is definatly something wrong inside the transformer itself. I have another type S transformer that I can hook up just to be sure.

The advice about track shorting out through the center rail is dead on. I've had that happen several times with this old track I have. I've been using the continuity checker on the multimeter to check each piece of track to make sure there are no shorts.

I've also heard that appliance repair shops carry thicker wire with the insulating cloth on it for repaiiring electric ovens and the like. I may try there after the holidays.

Thanks

[Big_Boy_4005]

I understand your frustration and lack of confidence in the place where you took the transformer to be repaired. I would be ticked too. Maybe the best thing would be to give them one last chance to make it good, after all they did give you a warantee for a year. I doubt that they could make it worse, and they might even fix it. You might even want to ask who is actually doing the repairs, and try to speak directly with that person. I used to work in a hobby store, and sometimes the person writing the repair ticket doesn't make the problem clear for the repairman. Good thing you have a backup.

I guess I'm not in favor of the idea of working on my own transformer's wiring, but then I don't work on the engine of my car either. If you feel comfortable doing it that's fine. But remember, if you can't find and fix the problem, and then take it back to them, it may not be pretty.

If it turns out that you seek a new source of repairs (plan B), make sure that it is a different person doing the work. Sometimes more than one store will use the same repairman. Good luck.