Okay, I use two ZWs on the layout and today the grandson, four years old, was using the horn switch to blow the horn on a Lionel Dash 8 40C. After a spell of other running I looked at the ZW and smoke was pouring out of it by the whistle switch and the switch was stuck in the on position.
My question is what happened and how or what do I do to fix it.
Tks in advance. Good thing is we saw it.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
The rectifier and/or resistor/resistance wire overheated. They are designed for intermittent use only, not continuous duty. It's hard to say if you weren't watching what happened first - the stuck switch or the smoke-out.
Rob
Rob, My money is on the stuck switch. I have seen it hang up before but not sure what to do to correct that.
I have seen this problem. The most likely cause is a broken return spring on your whistle switch. If the switch is held just so, a short is created inside the transformer that is not protected by the internal circuit breaker. The whistle switch can be repaired. The spring and replacement rivet are available. It will be necessary to drill out the old rivet (drill off the clinch), and clinch the replacement.IMHO, the transformer needs to be inspected / checked for any other damage that may have occurred. The ZW that was on my bench with the same problem had no other damage. One specific test I recommend on all transformers: AC leakage. I picked up a Simpson 229 AC leakage tester specifically to test transformers.
Thanks for the ideas guys,
I pulled it apart and found I needed to tweek the part that slides over the part that it slides over to power up the horn. Like a little button.
That and a little CRC 2-26 on the pivot point and all is well.
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