PW electrical problems

[joetrains]

  My track is powered from one post of a ZW and the constant voltage for the O22 switches is powered from another post of the ZW. The only other call for power on the ZW is for two crossing gates and a 145 gate man from an insulated section of track. The problem is when the transformer is on the indicator lamps in the switches, switch controlers, and any lighted cars flicker even when the engine is stationary. The engines run normally and steady. Could this be a problem in the ZW?

  Problem two is that my PW tenders give off a short toot at a couple of places along the track, always the same places. If they don't toot I can hear a sound from them like they are starting to activate. Any idea what's causing this?

 

[TRAINCAT]

I do not know about the ZW, but a lot of post war tenders sound off by themselves if they hit a bump in the track which causes the relay to connect for a second, or dirty track will cause it.

Roger

[phillyreading]

Go back and look at the connection for the constant voltage plug!! If it is in sideways that is usually the result!! The constant voltage plug must be installed 100% straight or it will act that way. The best way I have found to be sure that your plug is installed properly is to install it with the housing removed from the switch motor, this way you will see it make proper connection, then hook up your wire to it.

The purpose of the contatnt voltage plug, in the 022 post war switch, is to break connection with two pieces of copper, and to make connection with the round center pin. If this isn't done properly it will flicker or do other things, even not work at all.

About the tender whistling at random or when it wants to, it sounds like dirty track and or dirty wheels on the tender's truck assembly. Post war tenders will do that often, even newer tenders do that because of dirty conditions electrically.

Lee F.

[joetrains]

  Thanks for your replies. They  will give me something to work with next week.