I just purchased an old ZW 275 watt, it is powering three separate tracks and is working great. When I attempt to blow the whistles, the trains just speed up, I read that if you add on a Lionel Powermaster #612867 ??? I should be able to run any of the new engines with all the sounds. Any input from the forum would be a great help, has anyone done this? does it work or am I better off saving the 400 bucks and buy a new ZW…thx
With every 275 postwar ZW I have, replacing the old copper-oxide rectifiers [one on each side inside the case] with diodes solved the problem of activating whistle/horns. I used 60 amp diodes[$4] because that is what the Electronics guy had in stock at the time,but I expect 20-30 amp will suffice. The diodes have a bolt /stud and nut with flat and lock washers and bolt directly onto the bracket where the copper-oxide discs are removed [one wire is removed from rectifiers and reconnected to the diodes via soldering].
I don’t know your location, but if you are near a Lionel Service Station or a experienced repair person they can fix it. There are several good people and places to ship it for service but packing and shipping a ZW is awkward and expensive.
[I believe Jim Barrett of OGR Magazine might have done a “Backshop Video” that included ZW repair----my videos are at another location and I don’t remember for sure].
Someone else may have a better solution.
SBNR466, I think there may be just a problem with your whistle button on your ZW, but you shouldn’t have to spend 400 on a new one. I run an old ZW, & a Command base & a poweremaster for each loop, & a cab1 remote. In conventional mode, you’ll be able to blow the horn or the whistle. I believe you can run conventional with just a command base & a cab 1, & blow horn & whistle, plus change directions. Hope this helps.
Howdy Leonard. Leonard is right on. I just purchased a postwar ZW [275 watt] that had the diodes replaced with the “new type” and the PW engines do not slow down like they use too. I’m running command [DCS and TMCC] with it with no problems. Switch to straight transformer to run conventional PW as they seem to run soomer from the transformer than remote. Save those bucks and buy a new engine.
For the record, those old rectifiers are copper-oxide, not selenium.
sbnr466,
If you don’t want mess whith fixing your ZW you can just add this;
http://www.lionel.com/Products/Findex.cfm for about $125.
It’s the 6-12969 TrainMaster command set.
That and your ZW is all that you need to run any engine comm. or conv. (except MTH)
Bob Nelson
You’re right Bob, I have one I replaced in hand observing it right now—my mistake.[:I]