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Z W Transformer

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  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: Colorado
  • 4,075 posts
Posted by fwright on Thursday, July 15, 2010 5:40 PM

tracks59

A recent purchase through E-bay has brought me my first ZW transformer to my RR collection.  When testing it out for the first time, last night,  the right side seems to work properly.  Left side has no power at all.   From other listings on E-Bay I see many adds for rectifiers that are being used to replace the defective ones on older model of ZW's.    Being my first, that I have owned,  I am not familiar with its overall repair problems that can effect the lack of power to the left side of the unit.   Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.   Are there any manuals posted that may help in my research as to the repair of this item?   I  have waited a long time to get one of these power units and I want to make it last my lifetime.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Tracks59

Tracks59

The other answers are partially correct.  The failure of the left side of the unit has nothing to do with the diodes.  The ZW has roller contacts that move across the transformer windings to vary the voltage.  This is not working correctly on the one side.

The diodes are used only to blow the whistle or sound the horn.

The folks on the Classic Toy Trains forum on this web site can give you better advice.  If you are at all uncomfortable with taking your ZW apart, I strongly recommend you find somebody who can properly restore and repair your ZW to be the fine piece it is supposed to be.

Fred W 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Thursday, July 15, 2010 4:03 PM

Open the transformer and trouble shoot with a multimeter. This device I am sure you know is only AC.

Trransformer with two variable resistors. Link below might have some info.

http://tinyurl.com/2g22nmv

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Kansas City Area
  • 1,161 posts
Posted by gmcrail on Thursday, July 15, 2010 2:16 PM

 ZW transformers do not have rectifiers.  They are AC units for Lionel trains.  To use them on scale DC trains, though, you do need a rectifier.  Their starting voltage, though, is so high that you really need a big (10 ohm, 40+-watt) sandbar resistor to use them on scale locos....  A better use is as an indestructible base power supply - at 275 (?) watts, you pretty much can't overload them with anything we run....

---

Gary M. Collins gmcrailgNOSPAM@gmail.com

===================================

"Common Sense, Ain't!" -- G. M. Collins

===================================

http://fhn.site90.net

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: ohio
  • 1,371 posts
Posted by rs2mike on Thursday, July 15, 2010 8:59 AM

 Might be better if you posted on the toy train site.  That is a lionel transformer.  Those guys over there will be able to help out a bit more

alco's forever!!!!! Majoring in HO scale Minorig in O scale:)

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • 1 posts
Z W Transformer
Posted by tracks59 on Thursday, July 15, 2010 8:30 AM

A recent purchase through E-bay has brought me my first ZW transformer to my RR collection.  When testing it out for the first time, last night,  the right side seems to work properly.  Left side has no power at all.   From other listings on E-Bay I see many adds for rectifiers that are being used to replace the defective ones on older model of ZW's.    Being my first, that I have owned,  I am not familiar with its overall repair problems that can effect the lack of power to the left side of the unit.   Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.   Are there any manuals posted that may help in my research as to the repair of this item?   I  have waited a long time to get one of these power units and I want to make it last my lifetime.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Tracks59

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