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Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

now that i have hooked up my zw with four 180ph’s. all the lines worked fine for a few minutes. all of a sudden power stopped going to line 1 and 2, but when i turn all the power back on for all lines. i have to hold down the direction button forward on the zw just to get any power to lines 1 and 2 and its not even all the power thats being provided to the tracks. i checked all hook ups and breakers on the ph’s and still the same thing happens. if you know please help me

2

A few questions…When you say line 1&2, are they hooked up to the A and D circuits on the ZW? Is there a command base hooked up? The ZW will go into “command mode” and you will have to address them as TR1 and TR4 and dial up the voltage for each. The handles must be preset to the max voltage you want to apply to the track and then address them and dial 'em up.

3

I have never had such a problem with my ZWs.

4

yes i have a command base hooked up, but is there a specific way that line 1, 2, 3, & 4 should be hooked up to the zw and the ph’s. also being that im kind of new to this hobby what does dial up mean. does it mean punch in track 1 on the cab-1 remote.

5

What you need to do is this…A and D handles on the ZW need to be preset to the maxium amount of voltage that you want to deliver to the track. Say 18V for command ops. Then on your cab 1 select TR 1. Dial up the voltage using the red knob and the A channel should apply voltage. Next address TR 4 and do the same. The D channel will now apply voltage. The B&C channels work a little differently. They will come up to what ever the setting is on the dials on the ZW. If they are set for 16v then thats what they will come on as. You can then adjust the voltage on them as well using the Cab1 selecting the TR2 for B and TR3 for C. The voltage will not go higher than what is set on the dials but will be able to be lowered or raised back to the set on the dial. Confused?

You could also set the ZW to operate just like an old ZW. Let me know if you want to try that.

And let us know how you make out…

6

i did what you said MartyE and that corrected the problem. now when i cut it all off and turn it back on i have to reset the power to each line again is there a way i can set it and it stays set no matter whether i turn it off or on. i would like for it to be turned on and the power is set so i can just start running trains and not have to set the power again. also when i set the power on line one if there is a engine on the line it starts running as im increasing the power. now when i dial up lash up #1 it doesnt work. help please

7

Yes! What you need to do is set the ZW for manual operation or in other words to act just like a PW ZW… to do this follow these instruction and assign a number of ZERO.

To assign the output ID#’s, use the special T-shaped tool (included) or any other nonmetallic
tool to press the PROGRAM button on the back of the ZW Controller. This button is recessed inside the unit and you need to make sure that metal is not used to access it. The red light will begin to flash. On the CAB-1 Remote Controller, press TR, enter the first ID# 0, and press SET. At this point, the ZW controller is in conventional or manual mode and will operate like a PW ZW.

Now the ZW will operate from the handles alone and not the Cab 1. The HALT button will still shut down the ZW though so you’ll have to repower it after you would hit HALT for any reason. Let us know if this helps.

Also here is the link to the manual on the Lionel site. The new ZWs are pretty cool units!..
http://www.lionel.com/products/productnavigator/InstructionManuals/72-2982-250.pdf

8

thanks will do as soon as i get back in town sunday. headed to cincy for the game this weekend against the falcons. hope this works. you guys are great when it comes to helping get something corrected and iving advice. because if it wasnt for you guys i would have been done sold all my train crap and gave up on this hobby. being that you guys are here to help one another when a problem arises thats the best thing about this forum. again to all who have helped in the past thanks again and hope i can assist you in some way in the furure

9

REGGIE, The nice thing about the new ZW transformer is that you can use the first and forth lines in conventional mode as MARTY said. I like that on my set up because I can regulate the power to those tracks with the Cab one remote by addressing the TR1 and TR4 butoons then turning the knob for voltage. Its nice because you can run conventional engines and even MTH engines in conventioanal mode with the Cab 1. I really like this option.

laz57

10

Is the engine command? The book suggests powering the Command base first so it is possible that the engine didn’t get the command signal but mine powers up all together and I never had an issue. As far as the Lashup I would try it again once the ZW is in conventional mode. I would though remove the lashup from the track. If the lashup was TR1 we may inadvertently messed it up controlling the ZW and it may need rebuilt. Keep us informed.

11

For a LASH UP you need to program any number past 4. Cause 1,2,3,4, are already for individual track numbers. Go with the example that is in the Cab1 booklet that tells you about lashups and use TR7 for your lashup. Thats what I did and have had no problems. Hope this helps.

laz57

12

Laz is correct if you will be using the ZW in Command mode but the lashup should be OK with an ID of 1-4 if you decide to make the ZW conventional.

13

Reggie,

Here is a link someone on the forum posted a while back to an on-line tutorial that explains using the command/control system. It’s a great tutorial and includes wiring, setting transformers, programming engines into the base unit, etc.

http://www.coilcouplers.com/tmc/tmc.html

I have no experience with the Lionel command/control system and I found the tutorials and explanations very helpful in trying to understand what all this does and how all of this works.

Enjoy,
Chris

14

thanks.

15

Reggie, if you have time stop in at Davis Trains in Cincinnati and I know they will help you with any electrical problems. They have helped me in the past. Have you ever met Joe Davis? Great guy and of course knows everything about model trains and electronics.

BTW, I was there today picking up an engine I was getting repaired. New stock arriving daily.

16

i know him as matter of fact thats who i talk to when i go to the store as i plan to do tomorrow, or by placing an order over the phone.