Wiring 167 Whistle/direction controllers to a Z transformer

[lionelsoni]

So you have two loops with their rails completely isolated from each other.  You have two Z transformers, one for each loop.  Which terminals of each transformer, each whistle controller, and each rail are connected together?

[lionel2]

Yes, I do have switches connecting the 2 loops.  But, I narrowed down the problem.  When I put an insulating pin in my middle rail it does not work right, but when I put insulating pins in both outside rails, it works great.  Why is this?  I guess my 167's cannot handle that much juice.  I am using (4) 167's and one of them is a 167C and the other 3 are plain 167s.  2 of the 167s per Z transformer and I am using (2) Z transformers.  I am running 4 trains, but not at the same time.  Just one at a time.  I thought I had a short circuit and the trains were running slow.  So, I put the insulating pins in both the middle and outside rails of those switches connecting the loops.  Now, It works great.  I thought if I just have an insulating pin in the middle rail I should be good, guess not.

[lionelsoni]

You say you have two loops.  Are these completely separate tracks, or is there some connection, a crossover for example, between them?

[jwse30]

The picture in the Lionel service manual show the 167 controller wired between terminal U and the outer rail contact of a lockon.

Are your 167s wired this way? Do you have switches connecting the two loops (with insulating center rail pins, of course)? If so, do the direction buttons work? If not, the two 167s are wired in parallel between the U terminal of your transformer and the outer rails of your layout. Chances are the whistle works when both 167s are pressed because that doubles the DC current they are sending to the rail. Which means that the disk rectifiers in them are not sending out enough juice individually. Which in turn likely means that either the controllers are failing, or your whistle relay needs some attention (it's taking too much current to energize it)

That's a whole lot of variables though. But it's a few things to check out.

Hope this helps,

 

J White

 

[lionel2]

I have (2) 167 whistle controllers wired to one Z transformer and the whistle does not sound on my 392W standard gauge tender.  The whistle does sound when I push both whistle buttons on both 167's.  Why does it not work when I press the whistle button on one 167 controller??  I wired loop 1 and 2 seperately from each other.  Loop 1 on throttle C and Loop 2 on throttle D.  And U used for ground underneath C and B terminals.  I have not a clue why this works this way, its strange.  any help will do.  Thanks.