Re: Post War ZW Problem

Former Member

I have two post war ZWs. The one I run my trains with surprised me tonight when I went to run my GG1 under live catenary. Post "D" is power for the track. Post "A" is power for the catenary. Until this evening everything ran fine.

When I tried to run the GG1 under the live catenary, I got a short. At first I thought the short was in the track. I disconnected the track in that section and it turned out it wasn't the track that was at fault.

Next, I disconnected the main feed from post "A" on the transformer. Still getting a short.

I have a volt meter connected to posts "D" and "U". Remember, post "D" is what I use for track power to run conventional and also LC+. When I move throttle "D" up, the meter registers. But when I move throttles "C" & "A" up, the meter also registers voltage. The only throttle that doesn't register is throttle "B".

I also have a fast acting circuit breaker wired to each of the four terminals on the transformer.

How likely is it that something inside the transformer went awry all of a sudden ?

1/13/198:52 PM

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bmoran4OGR Forum Member

Can't hurt to remove the 4 screws in the top and do a visual inspection (and take a picture for us!). Do you have any TVS diodes in play?

1/13/198:55 PM

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jim pastoriusOGR Forum Member

I have had similar problems and, as explained to me by a repairman, the posts can twist inside or something else could,indeed, cause a short inside. Take the top off and look. Get a qualified repairman fix it. i fixed one of mine and it was more trouble than it was worth.

1/13/199:14 PM

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ADCX RobOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Switch D with A and see if the problem follows the layout or follows the transformer.

1/13/1910:01 PM

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Former Member

Thank you all for trying to help. As most of these issues go, this one did also. It turns out that a screwdriver was laying on the platform touching the outside rail and also touching the metal catenary support mast ! Problem solved. This has been a learning experience as usual. Don't leave tools on the layout.

1/13/1911:46 PM

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StrummerOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Wow Dan, that's awesome that you found the real problem!

Don't (we) wish all issues that crop up had such an easy fix...

Mark in Oregon

1/14/1912:58 AM

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Former Member

The perpetrator.

How can I blame an inanimate object for my own shortcomings ?

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1/14/199:36 AM

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johnstrainsOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Dan Padova posted:
The perpetrator.
How can I blame an inanimate object for my own shortcomings ?

Been there, done that!

What happened to me one time is this: On my PW layout I have a siding I use for the milk car and cattle car platforms. The track goes into a tunnel portal but doesn't really go anywhere; it just ends inside the tunnel. One time I stuck a piece of rolling stock inside the tunnel just to get it out of the way and it was laying across the rails. Kept getting a short on my ZW and for the life of me couldn't figure out why.

A few hours later... eek

1/14/199:48 AM

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romiller49OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

It’s like finding the $10.00 mistake in your checkbook, that is if you use one anymore. That ZW probably isn’t ready for repair yet. After all, it’s only 70 years old.

1/14/1910:07 AM

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