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Outboard Controllers

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Outboard Controllers
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 4:12 PM
In the current issue of CTT (Oct 03), in an article by Ray Plummer about postwar transformers, there is a comment about outboard controllers. It reads " These outboard controllers, when wired in reverse, also can activate bells on modern locomotives with sound systems. Does this mean that an old Lionel Whistle Controller could be used to activate a bell when used with a ZW? I have four MTH locos that have, both, bell and whistle, but only the whistle can be activated with the ZW.
Where could I get more information and a more detailed description of the wiring involved.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Outboard Controllers
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 28, 2003 4:12 PM
In the current issue of CTT (Oct 03), in an article by Ray Plummer about postwar transformers, there is a comment about outboard controllers. It reads " These outboard controllers, when wired in reverse, also can activate bells on modern locomotives with sound systems. Does this mean that an old Lionel Whistle Controller could be used to activate a bell when used with a ZW? I have four MTH locos that have, both, bell and whistle, but only the whistle can be activated with the ZW.
Where could I get more information and a more detailed description of the wiring involved.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 10,096 posts
Posted by lionelsoni on Thursday, August 28, 2003 4:50 PM
Yes. You would wire the whistle controller, probably a 167, in series with the transformer output, probably terminal A or D of a ZW. Wired one way, it would activate the whistle; with the wires swapped, it would activate the bell. You can get detailed information at http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd3.htm?itm=705

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 10,096 posts
Posted by lionelsoni on Thursday, August 28, 2003 4:50 PM
Yes. You would wire the whistle controller, probably a 167, in series with the transformer output, probably terminal A or D of a ZW. Wired one way, it would activate the whistle; with the wires swapped, it would activate the bell. You can get detailed information at http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd3.htm?itm=705

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 29, 2003 11:53 AM
Thanks for the information. I have been looking for a way to be able to use the bell feature on the locomotive without having to buy a more modern transformer. Thanks again.
John Walker
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 29, 2003 11:53 AM
Thanks for the information. I have been looking for a way to be able to use the bell feature on the locomotive without having to buy a more modern transformer. Thanks again.
John Walker

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