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Lionel ZW-L ?

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  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Florida
  • 2,238 posts
Lionel ZW-L ?
Posted by traindaddy1 on Thursday, April 12, 2018 6:31 PM

Ok! This "older" guy has another (probably basic trains 101) question about the Lionel ZW-L transformer. 

Some ads I've seen state 620 watt and some ads state 720 watts.

Both ads show the same Lionel #6-37921. 

Which is correct?     As always, many thanks.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 10,096 posts
Posted by lionelsoni on Friday, April 13, 2018 9:17 AM

This from the manual might help to explain what happened:

"Dynamic power limiting allows the 620 W available from the transformer to be shared across the four outputs as necessary to power the connected loads.  Up to 180 W is available to each output as long as the total power of all four outputs does not exceed the 620 W transformer rating.  When the 620 W total is reached the output that tried to take more power will be limited to maintain the 620 W total....The transformer can run in this mode indefinitely and will not shut down.  When more power becomes available because of a change in the demand from the other outputs it will be automatically given to the limited output...."

I think someone saw the 180-watt specification for the four individual outputs, multiplied it by 4, and got 720 watts, without consulting the manual.

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Florida
  • 2,238 posts
Posted by traindaddy1 on Friday, April 13, 2018 10:15 AM
Bob: The more I learn, the more I learn that I need to learn more. Thanks, so much.

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