Lionel Z Transformer w/ Controllers

[krapug1]

To power my still in progress layout (aren't they always), I have a Lionel Z Transformer w/ 2 Lionel Control Units for Reverse and Whistle.

Here is the problem, the Transformer (despite being over 50 y/o) works great, and provides ample power and with the controllers the reverse is fine, BUT the only sound that works is Diesel Horn, it does not activate ANY steam engine whistles. This includes, Lionel PW, MPC and Modern, and K-Line as well.

I already switched the polarity many times, and swicthing it does nothing, or I should say when I switch the polarity no engine sounds work (whistle or horn).

Any ideas??

[jwse30]

I'll guess you've tried this already, but do the whistles work when a different transformer is used?

Is this controller the 166 or 167 with the direction and whistle controller? Perhaps the disc rectifers are marginal at best.

Do the trains slow down noticeably when the button is pushed? They did when I used mine, and mine didn't work very reliably. If the horn that is working is one of the PW ones that used a battery to power the horn, perhaps that has something to do with it.

A final note, I believe K-line used a special controller for their whistles, and the standard Lionel one won't trigger them. I'm sure if I'm wrong (it happens a lot), someone else will chime in to state it.

Just a few ideas, hopefully ones that may help,

J White

[lionelsoni]

I would say it's very unlikely that the Zs are at fault. Diesels and steam locomotives use the same type of whistle relay; so the fact that the Diesel works is probably a coincidence.

Here is a discussion of how to make your own controller, if you are so inclined:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=44721&REPLY_ID=477709#477709

The Z is well suited to this, since external controllers usually eat up some voltage and it puts out much more voltage than you probably need.

[krapug1]

Thanks for some of the pointers.

Here is a breakdown of Sound Units that the 167 Controller operates.

Horns: My Lionel PW, and Lionel Modern (LTI/LLC), and K-Line (even though
K-Line is SUPPOSED to operate only with their controller). The 167
does not activate the MPC era Horns (LIRR and Santa Fe GP-20
Dummy Units), and yes these are the dreaded Horns that require a
MPC era controller that rarely worked correctly.

Whistles: Only my K-Line Semi-Scale Hudson with an electronic whistle works
all other steam engines with air whistles (Lionel PW, Lionel
Modern, and K-Line) do not activate.

Somwehere in storage I have a K-Line Whitle/Horn Controller (that also can control direction). I'll have to dig it out, wire it, and see what happens.

Ken