ZW-L CMD/CONV Switch- which way?

The switch on the ZW shouldn't matter when programming engine IDs.

My understanding would be that the reference to setting the powermaster to cmd is simply to ensure that you are putting out 18V to the track.

I don't have any z-w,but i do have 4 power masters & if you put the switch to command,then as soon as power is applied to the track it will go right to 18 volts,& if you have any conventional engines on th track ,they will take off at full speed so with the switch in conventional mode,you can dial up to whatever type of engine you are running,be it command or conventional,i think thats what he is asking,if i am wrong please correct me.I read your post again,i agree with MartyE ,it should not matter which position the switch is in when programing an engine.

I think the instructions came out with the early set up.  Remember PM and CAB-1 where available before the Command Base was.

If in CMD position, when you hit boost the PM would turn on the voltage to full.

You can replace the line with, "if in CONV select TR #"x" and raise voltage to 18V.

So with the new ZW-L you could do the same.  The point being that step 3,4, and 5 are were you raise track voltage to 18VAC.  G

Again...Are we talking engine programming or the ZW-L programming?

Because again, if we are programming engines here, the transformer setting is irrelevant.

If we are programming the transformer for command or conventional operation that is completely different than what what asked.

Thanks for the replies.  I was talking about programming the engines.  I guess if I would have thought about it more, the idea is that the track is to be at 18v when an engine is programmed.  Whether the transformer was set on CMD and the voltage turned up to 18 using the remote or whether the transformer is set on CONV and the control lever is moved to get the 18v output, the engine being programmed doesn't care how the 18v was achieved, just that it's there.  I wasn't aware that the BOOST command made the Powermaster turn the voltage to full.  So, after getting track voltage to 18 either remotely with the ZW-L in CMD or using a control arm with the transformer in CONV, I will just skip the BOOST key stroke step in the instructions when assigning an ENG #.

That is correct. I assigned the ZWL with the power off and the command switch in the on position to TR1, this will automatically set TR2, TR3, and TR4 to the additional throttles automatically.

Now to run any loop, or output. Hit the TR1 , dial up and you are at 18 volts.

Love the ease of running my conventional engines now.

For command addressing a single locomotive, use the ENG button. Hit ENG, the number of the engine, and you should be set. Follow your Engine instructions for changing or programing a new engine. It is the same.

So will the ZW-L go to full 18vac if you press "TRx" and then "BOOST" without having to turn up the throttle?

That is a good question.  I wish I knew for sure, but I suspect it might jump the voltage up to the level at which you have the transformer throttle handle preset, rather than having to turn the remote's throttle knob to get it there.  It would be convenient if it did.  I can't run a trial because my Case 1-L is back at Lionel service.

Out of curiosity i tried to power up the track with my cab 1,pressing tr,then track number  then boost,& it would not work ,i had to turn the red nob to get the track powered up,it was something i had not tried before,as i said before i don't have a zw L ,i just wanted to see if it would work with the cab-1.

Hello, not to steal the original post. With powermasters or tpc's that are set on cmd. Use tr-# aux-1 boost and you should get full 18 volts.

Doug

Doug, you are correct i didn't have the power master in the command position thats why it would not go to 18 volts,i had forgotten  about that.

I sent an email to Lionel Service about this:

1. ZW-L off
2. Plug in Base 1-L
3. Slide locomotive switch to PROGRAM and put on track
4. Set ZW-L to CONV
5. Turn on ZW-L
6. Turn up track power to 18 v using throttle handle
7. Press ENG (skip the BOOST step in the locomotive directions)
8. Press desired ID numbers
9. Press SET 

This was their answer:

"You are correct with your new steps except for #4.  This should be CMD, not CONV.  Other than that, this is fine"