Turning power on to ZW's

Even if they were on full power and drawing 300 watts it's still less than a hair dryer, 4 slice toaster, large microwave oven, or table saw.

What say "someone"?

I've got just one, but was thinking of doing the very same thing -setting at the predetermined output level and leaving them. I now have an MTH DCS set up so my ZW will be nothing more than a power supply for that and the other 3 can control lighting and the spare non-command track.

I would think that the same "preset" power surge that hits your outlet would be no different than if you were to dial them up from zero...though that would be smoother. If your outlet can't handle the load....15amp?...it would possibly give you trouble even if dailing them up slowly.

In our house, upstairs, the only 20amp outlets are in the kitchen...so our carpet layout {for now} is on a 15amp circuit and running 3 RMT engines with 20 cars was fine, but mind you, we weren't running layout lighting to that, just the train.

I'll be curious as to the asnwer from other's about this, but I'd think it would be fine...let's see what I know-lol. 

A fully loaded ZW is under 3 amps.  You could run 5 ZW's easily on a 15 amp outlet.

I've been turning on two Lionel 180w bricks at 18v for years never had a problem. They're even plugged into an outlet strip that has never once popped its breaker. Come to think of it, I have two CW-80s plugged in to it preset at 14v and my legacy base as well.

Originally Posted:

Well, now I'm confused.  Where did this concern come up?

No real problem leaving the handles. It is a good idea to move them once in a while. It is also a bit easier on light bulbs to turn on the voltage gradually.

Dale H

If it ain't broke, don't fix it

Cpt John,

   I leave my ZW's pre-set and have them connected to two different plug bars, with

built in breakers, they stayed that way for almost 10 years, unless I needed to reset a 10 Amp breaker for some reason.  You actually put less wear on a ZW if you let the handles in place pre setting your power, at what ever voltage you require, and use an off/on switch to activate them.  Who ever told that doing this would damage your ZW was absolutely wrong.  Make sure your ZW's are in Phase and use an off/on switch to activate your transformers.

PCRR/Dave

Notice the loaded Plug Bar above the transformers, even the KW is plugged into it.

Thanks Pine Creek. That's exactly how I have them set up.

Cpt John,

   Glad we could help.  Also check out the dust collector remote control 110, that Rock Stars posted, definitely a great remote control set up, for the Plug Control Bar running the ZW's.  Especially for those people with hidden transformers.

PCRR/Dave