Hi everyone, I’ve been having problems with longevity with new Lionel transformers and had advice to go back to using a ZW for my layout. (I run conventional with LionChief etc on App.)
If I were to buy a ZW, is there a way to activate modern MTH sounds as I can with a Z-1000?
Thanks for your expertise!
Welcome to the forum, RogCGW!
Yes, I know Lionel at least has sold “sound activation” buttons. MTH too, possibly. They operate either the horn or the bell, depending which polarity you wire them in. You could get two buttons, to be able to use both features at the same time.
-El
What you don’t get with a postwar transformer like the ZW is a bell button, which is essentially a backwards wired whistle/horn button.
As mentioned, you can wire your own sound activation button into the layout. This only matters if you are running older Lionel or MTH engines that had a bell sound feature. If you are running TMCC or later engines none of this matters as sounds bell or whistle, are controlled by the remotes.
Welcome on board, RogCGW
David
Thanks to all responders. I’ll admit that the electrical facts behind this advice are beyond me at the moment, but very good to know it can be done. Since we are talking polarity, I assume the signal from the whistle and horn buttons are direct current and using alternate wires off the button box will change the polarity of that signal. Somehow, the AC to the track passes through this box without alteration?
Once again, thank you El and BigAl for the answer I needed!
The output of the ZW is a 60hz sine wave, AC power. What the buttons do is put a DC offset on that sine wave. In the positive direction for one function and the negative direction for the other. The universal motors are unaffected by this offset. The whistle and bell filter out the AC sine wave and just pass the DC offset component.
What is annoying in two rail S gauge operation is the direction of travel affects which button actuates which function. In three rail O gauge the center rail is always the center rail, so it does not matter which direction the engine is running.
welcome RogCGW
Welcome aboard RogCGW!
I’m tempted to advise you to get an MTH Z-4000 transformer as that would certainly resolve all your problems but they’re out of production!
However, you can keep on the lookout for one and hopefully find one at a decent price. “Supply and demand” being what it is the prices can range from reasonable to ridiculous. Not much help, I know.
I have seen the MTH Z-4000 on eBay they go for $450.00 to $550.00 +shipping.
That seems to be about the going rate for Z-4000’s.
Trainz.com has several for sale, looks like prices start at $416 and go up from there.
Thanks again, everyone. Train show this weekend. Will check out options there.
Good hunting and enjoy yourself!
yes good luck and have fun.
Very helpful indeed. One follow-up. To insert a circuit breaker to protect electronics, does it matter where it is mounted in this circuit? Thank you!!
Roy, there is no circuit breaker available to protect the electronics, so it doesn’t matter where you put your fuse or breaker - it’s for current limiting only and it’s the wrong device. What you are really looking for is transient voltage suppression… you can use bipolar TVS diodes in parallel with the device(s) you want to protect from the damaging high voltage spikes. Breakers and fuses let these right through without tripping/blowing.
That is new knowledge. Just ordered them.
I have to share that some fairly authoritative folks have hammered the idea of circuit breakers being protective for this issue. I might have even read in CTT. At any rate, glad to be educated.
Dallee sells a combined circuit breaker and TVS diode in a single assembly. They come in a variety of amperage ratings.
