ZW into the 21st Century

That's a very nice looking project. Also looks like something that would be nice to have. Thanks for posting for us to see. Could spark some ideas for others too, I would think.

Fancy addition, nice looking as well.

You are a very smart man to do what you did.  Great work and as always, Safety First.

I've been running DCS off an old refurbished ZW for many years.  I didn't know I needed all that other stuff.  I do have fuses.

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Dennis

Very nice, but why not just use an MTH Z-4000?

Yeah, why not spend $450 or so when you can spend what, $40 for a beautiful looking box with additional safety features?

You don't need it until you need it Dennis.

Well, from one pilot to another: "different strokes for different folks."  

Vern

Nothing like picking two of the worlds' most expensive hobbies! My wife asks, "Waddaya gonna take up next, yachting?"

You don't ..... until after that 1 time when you say, "UH OH"  ask me how I know.

Having been involved in repairs for a period of time, I have seen many of these guys who worship the old ZW (without protection) spend some serious cash after destroying modern electronics.  Many who use these old transformers do it right and protect trains like the man who started this post.   MANY DO NOT.

This is a good post. Thank you Greg.

p.s.

Guys who repair trains love you guys that run old ZW transformers without protection.  You are good for the economy.  Thank you very much.

And enjoy building it and do a little learning along the way. Looks like a great project to me. Personally, I like the electronics part of the trains as much as the trains themselves.

If the electronics are so delicate, how come the TCU has 30 amp fuses?

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Dennis

Dennis,

I assume you mean TIU.  The MTH TIU uses 20 amp fuses and not 30 amp.

I stand corrected with two typos, 20 amp and TIU is correct Marty.  But heck, 20 amp fuses are still twice what a lot of guys are recommending.

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Dennis

Dennis, I have also heard several opinions on this subject. 

The 20A fuses are only to protect the circuit board traces and FET's in the TIU from massive overloads, they're not meant to be a primary means of circuit protection.  Since you have to take the TIU apart to change them, they're not meant to be a regularly replaced item.  The everyday circuit protection for shorts and overloads should be rated considerably lower, and I'd go no more than 10 amps on a single TIU channel.