ZW-R problem red pilot

If your transformer is correctly wired, the red light should illuminate only if there is a load on the transformer. If you turn the voltage controls to off, or remove the load, the light will not stay on. The brightness will vary with the voltage settings of your four controls.
This is because the red pilot light is wired in parallel with the breaker. Electricity only flows through it when the breaker is open, and there is a load on the transformer to complete the path for the electricity.

It looks like someone has done some soldering on the terminals of the pilot light socket on your third picture.
I suggest taking a look at the Lionel service manual pages for your model, and making certain it is wired correctly. Here is a link to the pages for a ZW model R transformer.

Thanks, tried again, just to make sure, same thing. Put a loco on the tracks, push the throttle. Green light on, red is off, even if i trip the breaker.

The previous owner had put a wire between the 2 lamps to make sure the red is on !!! The wires match the plan in the service manual and my manual also.

Jean-Luc

From experience the red light comes on after about a 5 second short and will stay on if the short is not removed. It will vary in brilliance if you try to apply power again before the short is removed. A derailed engine is a classic example of a short. 

FYI; the post war ZW uses a 15 amp circuit breaker on the common side and will take a lot to trip it. Also the post war ZW has no protection for new engines with electronics in them, so you need to add in some protection. Putting 7 or 8 amp circuit breakers after each hot terminal(A, B, C, & D) in line with the track will help with derailments and keep you from almost welding with the post war ZW.

For protection of newer engines you need to use a transient voltage suppressor(TVS). You buy them from an electronics store for about $3.00 a piece, 32 volt bi-directional is good. I bought mine from Mouser Electronics.

Lee Fritz

Here's a ZW(R) wiring diagram, maybe that will help.

Thanks, i have the same wiring diagram. I did trace the wires and they are the same as the plan. Also re-soldered the wires.

Jean-Luc

Hard to tell from your photos, but it looks like the lamp socket has been rewired  incorrectly at some point.

In this photo, it looks like there is no wiring to the terminal at the 3 o'clock position, which appears to be connected to the center nub of the lamp. Is there any wire on this terminal? Where does it go?

Thanks PLCPROF, there is no wire on that terminal, as the diagram. It would be the lead for the resistor for a 6 volt lamp.

The 6 o'clock lead has 3 ground wires and the yellow wire (24 volts) is at the base/frame of the lamps.

Jean-Luc

You are using an 18 volt lamp? Put a wire from the 3 o'clock terminal to the U post and I bet it works. 

I thought the ZW(R) used a low voltage bulb.  I know it uses one 18V bulb and one 6V bulb, I forget which is which.

The OP said he was using an 18 volt lamp, so on that basis the resistor should not be necessary, regardless of nameplate.

I have seen more than one ZW reworked by removing the resistor. Makes sense, not too much else in Lionel uses a 6 volt bayonet bulb.

That one solder joint looks a little crappy

Actually, I just looked at the ZW-R manual, the text says that the ZW-R uses the 18 volt lamp and no resistor, the parts list calls out the 6 and 18 volt lamps and the resistor, and the identification pictures list both lamps and specify that the resistor is optional and used only with the 6 v lamp. This is in the ZW-R repair manual!

I can easily imagine that more than one ZW was confused by people trying to follow the repair manual!

PLCPROF, i just put a jumper between U and that lead and it worked. The lamp react to the voltage level. That missing wire is not on the diagram.

Thanks again and merci to you all and bon weekend

Jean-Luc

I will re-solder all those joints before closing that cover

Bon chance, j'espere t'aider a nouveau.

PLCProf posted:

Bon chance, j'espere t'aider a nouveau.

Merci et bonne semaine !