The old rectifiers caused a voltage drop which was compensated by the pick up coil adding voltage when activated. Extra voltage also helped power the whistle motor. Lights may brighten when pushing the whistle. Their contacts may need attention too.
I’ve done this change to a couple transformers and as you say access is difficult. But the change is well worth the effort. Thank you for sharing. Both ZW and KW are similar in access difficulty. ZW requires two diodes while the KW only one. The one works both sides of the throttle controls.
It took me over 3 hours and my patience was gone .when I did the right side and the papers came loose, but the diodes make a huge difference with the whistle. So thankful for this video
This man is very wise and patient while doing this project with this ZW Transformer. I will agree with Long John Silver it is very meticulous and tedious and takes hours to work on these old zW Transformers...
I really enjoy your videos. This video was very helpful. You explain things very well. Do you also do upgrades on the circuit breaker on the ZW. If so, can you make a video of it. Keep posting more great videos.
I learned a lot! That's a ZW upgrade I don't think I'll attempt without having a (junker) ZW to practice on first, lol! Thanks for making and sharing your video! Keep up the good work!
Wow!, Had just bought a ZW on ebay that needed a new cord and seller wasn't able to tell if it worked. Got a good deal on it and installed a new cord. Works very good, except one horn is a little funky. I wanted to change to a diode whistle, but after seeing the tough time you had, I may have to rethink it. That insulating paper looks like it could get tricky.
Wedge a little screwdriver in the slits in the clip and rotate handle back and forth to walk the clip off the post. Then bend the ears back down if too loose when reinstalled.
Nice work John and Thanks. Maybe your camera operator could hold the light too. Then you have both hands free. This video did explain my problem ZW . Keeping this great U.S.A. made stuff alive
You wouldn't happen to have an upgrade for the circuit breaker on them old ZWs would you? They're a little slow compared to the newer ones and are hard on electronics. Ask me how I know LOL
Lionel NEVER used alum wire in ZW's . You need at least a Weller 100/140 gun to unsolder the old wires in a Lionel transformer. A pencil point doesn't make enough heat. The old solder has a slightly different tin/lead content compared to the new stuff. I hope this helps.
So I did exactly what this man did and put two dials in my ZW Transformer the left side was easy but the right side was extremely hard because when you take it apart those fiber papers seem to come loose with the assembly
That thing you call a Fahnestock clip is known as a Speed Nut. A Fahnestock Clip is what is used to hold the wires onto a common lockon. In fact, if you examine a prewar American Flyer lockon, the clips will say Fahnestock right on them.
This was a difficult video to do. One other error is that towards the end I said that the wire to the contact strip under the insulator went to the diode. It does not.
Love the dog. I have a piebald Husky and a white one.
The old rectifiers caused a voltage drop which was compensated by the pick up coil adding voltage when activated. Extra voltage also helped power the whistle motor. Lights may brighten when pushing the whistle. Their contacts may need attention too.
Great job John a lot of good info.Thanks for sharing. Be safe and God Bless And Thanks for the call..."Happy Rails". GMan
Thanks, G man
I have 2 in the attic from my late fathers collection, now I have a clue how to work on them, thanks.
I’ve done this change to a couple transformers and as you say access is difficult. But the change is well worth the effort. Thank you for sharing. Both ZW and KW are similar in access difficulty. ZW requires two diodes while the KW only one. The one works both sides of the throttle controls.
It took me over 3 hours and my patience was gone .when I did the right side and the papers came loose, but the diodes make a huge difference with the whistle. So thankful for this video
This man is very wise and patient while doing this project with this ZW Transformer. I will agree with Long John Silver it is very meticulous and tedious and takes hours to work on these old zW Transformers...
I really enjoy your videos. This video was very helpful. You explain things very well. Do you also do upgrades on the circuit breaker on the ZW.
If so, can you make a video of it.
Keep posting more great videos.
There is a video out there where the Diode can be soldered in without any removal of pieces. I did it to 2 of mine and works fine.
Your train room is AWESOME !
I learned a lot! That's a ZW upgrade I don't think I'll attempt without having a (junker) ZW to practice on first, lol! Thanks for making and sharing your video! Keep up the good work!
There are two of these you have to replace on each side correct
Wow!, Had just bought a ZW on ebay that needed a new cord and seller wasn't able to tell if it worked. Got a good deal on it and installed a new cord. Works very good, except one horn is a little funky. I wanted to change to a diode whistle, but after seeing the tough time you had, I may have to rethink it. That insulating paper looks like it could get tricky.
Wedge a little screwdriver in the slits in the clip and rotate handle back and forth to walk the clip off the post. Then bend the ears back down if too loose when reinstalled.
Nice work John and Thanks. Maybe your camera operator could hold the light too. Then you have both hands free. This video did explain my problem ZW . Keeping this great U.S.A. made stuff alive
You wouldn't happen to have an upgrade for the circuit breaker on them old ZWs would you? They're a little slow compared to the newer ones and are hard on electronics. Ask me how I know LOL
Great information. I'll have to do the same thing to mine soon.
Hey John I have two transformers from my grandfather a 250 watt and 275 watt and I think they should be redone before I start my layout again
Thank you for posting
Lionel NEVER used alum wire in ZW's . You need at least a Weller 100/140 gun to unsolder the old wires in a Lionel transformer. A pencil point doesn't make enough heat. The old solder has a slightly different tin/lead content compared to the new stuff. I hope this helps.
So I did exactly what this man did and put two dials in my ZW Transformer the left side was easy but the right side was extremely hard because when you take it apart those fiber papers seem to come loose with the assembly
Mr.Paulo,I find it easier to be critical also,makes a body feel superior.
Fingers of iron... to hold a small metal part while unsoldering, yikes! This is a great modification..Really perks up the whistle
Thanks for the information
The other improvement is to upgade the circuit breaker which should be done if the ZW is used to run modern locomotives.
What circuit breaker would you recommend for running modern legacy locomotives? Thanks!
That thing you call a Fahnestock clip is known as a Speed Nut. A Fahnestock Clip is what is used to hold the wires onto a common lockon. In fact, if you examine a prewar American Flyer lockon, the clips will say Fahnestock right on them.
Thanks, but the design i s about the same in that the two atach in the same way.
This was a difficult video to do. One other error is that towards the end I said that the wire to the contact strip under the insulator went to the diode. It does not.
Who knew?
Tengo problemas con mi tranformador
También tengo un Lionel lines
Do you do this for others? For a fee of course.
Unfortunately, it would not be cost effective due to high shipping costs. There must be someone in your area who could do it for you.
give up on the repair work.... not a good video