Gw-180 question and legacy

Are you using the controller(orange handle box w/ whistle & bell buttons)?

Yes

Don't use the controller, use just the brick.

Push the reset button on the brick. You may have shorted something and caused the breaker to open.

How do I use just the brick?  How would I put power to the track ?

With a TMCC Direct Lockon.

Or snip it off.

... the connector...

Which would make it difficult to use again with the GW controller that Andrew paid a considerable premium for.

Truthfully, I don't see any need for the TMCC Direct Lockon with the PH180 brick.  I just use a matching Molex connector with a couple of jumper leads to use them.  I agree with Rob, I don't hack the connectors off unless there's a good reason.

 

I don't see any need for the TMCC Direct Lockon either, but it seems Andrew is a plug-n-play guy and that the Lockon would serve him well. The GW controller box can cause all sorts of problems with devices downstream.

One issue with the TMCC Direct Lockon is it's totally incompatible with DCS, it kills the signal.  I've pretty much stopped recommending it in any context.

 

I don't see any reference to MTH equipment.

Andrew, The GW180 is a great product, and should not fail to power on as you describe.  Have it serviced / replaced.  It is most likely the controller, not the Brick.

It's like every lionel product I buy there's somthing wrong with it.  This would be the third expensive purchase I bought and now it's broken.  Now I have to waste my money shipping this back to lionel then wait 3 more weeks to get it back. Will lionel ever get these things straight.  I'll be calling lionel. I've just about had it with them

Santafefan- do you work for lionel?

Uhh...  if you look at his signature, it pretty clearly indicates he does indeed! 

 

CTO, Lionel LLC

 

The equipment is probably not faulty/failed/broken. The GW-180 controller was not intended for use with TMCC/Legacy, and is not needed or recommended for command operation. The modified sine wave power put out by electronic controllers can cause unexpected or unpredictable operation when used to power command equipment.

 

The PH-180 "brick" was designed for command use, and to power other controllers for conventional operation, like the GW, PowerStation, PowerMasters, and the ZW-C(controller).

And TPC's, as well. The output of the PH is pure sine wave.

When I bought this I was told that this is what you need to make the legacy work.  I'll have to call lionel and send the controller back some time.  It's honestly a shame this is going on.  I'll have to contact someone higher then a customer service rep.  I've spent thousands on lionel and all I get is products that are not working.  I support lionel pretty well and they are very close to loosing a good customer.

you did not put where you live in your profile.

 

do you live near someone who can help you?

 

like a club or something?

Andrew,

The common denominator with the Lionel products is you. I have read your posts regarding your troubles, and it seems from your questions as though you have not read the manuals or tried to get the basic info on how to operate the equipment. Please take time to read the manuals and watch the Lionel videos BEFORE you hook up the equipment. There are tons of YouTube vids.  That being said, if you keep getting bad equipment try a new source.

Andrew, I am sorry you are having problems.  Please email me with the issues you have, I am curious as to the specific concerns you have on your failing products.  My email is in my profile. 

 

I am especially curious why the GW180 is not working, we spent a lot of design time on this product to get it right, and it was made at a new vendor with really great  results.  The GW180 uses the same technology as our ZWL, and the ZWL and GW180 have been relatively problem free.

Note: When you power on/off the GW180 rapidly, it protects the outputs and won't power up.  Disconnect any load on the terminals, and give it 10 seconds OFF.  Turn it on at the Brick, does it come ON?   If not, turn it off for 10 seconds, and turn it on again.  LMK your results.

 

The GW180 **IS** intended to be used with TMCC/Legacy!  It is just fine for Command operation!  It has a quick current limiter for protecting your electronics, and I use it exclusively on my bench for designing LEGACY equipment.  It is a really awesome power source!

 

I missed that in the Owner's Manual.

Andrew isn't the only one with bad luck on new Lionel products.  Over half of the new items I've bought have all been DOA.  But I keep buying them and don't complain, why?  Well, all the used Lionel products I've bought have been nearly bullet proof and once the broken items get repaired, they are also fantastic items.  It's all about how you see things in life.  We both have been given lots of lemons, he's been trying to eat them raw and getting sour faced, and I've been making lemon aid and lemon bars.  Sure, it gets very frustrated, I feel his pain as it really mess up a Christmas I had planned for my son, but after that one experience, I now plan way ahead and include potential repair/swap time for the trains, and now only buy for dealers that I have had exceptional experience with.  Maybe I'm more forgiving of Lionel for getting bad products because I have also worked in a similar field and know what they are going through.