Modern ZW wiring to track

[Anonymous]

On my layout I have 10 blocks for conventional operation only. The blocks are controlled with 10 DPDT switches. I have one section of track app 9' long which I would like to have power to at all times. Can I run one wire (power) to the section and have that wire connected to both the A and D output on the ZW? Or is this an electrical problem, otherwise do I just run two wires from the transformer? Bottom line is I want power to this particular section of track on all the time and not controlled by any particular output from the ZW. Hope this makes sense and thanks for any advice from those more knowlegeable in wiring than I. Ralph.[:)]

[lionelsoni]

It is generally a very bad idea to connect two transformer outputs together. With some transformers (pretty much all traditional Lionels), this will burn up the transformer. I am not familiar with the modern "ZW", which may be better protected; but, in any case, connecting the outputs together will not do what you want.

Connecting transformer outputs together is what happens when you run from a block powered by one output to a block powered by another. If the voltages are not set too different and the transition is quick, there is usually no harm done (except perhaps to modern locomotive electronics, from the inductive kick that can occur). You could get constant voltage on that track section by connecting it to an accessory voltage; but you would be connecting that voltage to another transformer output every time you ran across it. I don't see any way to do what you want that is both safe and simple. The best candidate is to run entirely on rheostats from a single constant voltage; but you probably don't want to do that.

I am curious about your DPDT switches. Why two poles?

[phillyreading]

Like Bob said the output from an older ZW will try to multiply when hooking up posts A & D together. It is best to run a wire from a letter post & one from the common post to power your track. Don't know about modern ZW's and fixed outputs but the post-war ZW's do not have a constant voltage output, what you can do is set lever B or C to a pre-set voltage with a digital volt meter and leave it there.
You are looking for a feature that some of the Lionel transformers have like the older KW or Type R transformer.
My thoughts on the DPDT switches-if bought at Radio Shack it might be the only way to buy a switch with good amp ratings.
Lee Fritz