Lionel Type Zw R Transformer Service Manual
. 6 Answers SOURCE: The green light on the right side is a power light, and is on whenever there is AC power connected to the cord. The red light on the left is a short circuit indicator, and comes on when the center rail is grounded to the outside rail by any number of reasons, usually a derailed car, or wiring problem. Check photos on ebay to see what the red and green lenses look like of they are missing. There is a 40-50 year old circuit breaker that should pop during a short circuit, if the breaker is still working properly. If you want to test it, just lay a screwdriver between the center and outside rails until the left light comes on, but don't let it go too long, it could get hot and cause a fire. If it does not pop, you need to get it serviced.
Posted on Dec 31, 2009. 592 Answers SOURCE: first you need to test the actual transformer's input then the outputs on primary and secondary winding. Be careful because you can get a schok.
If you do not know what you are doing with electricity and don't understand how to test transformers then you should consult an electronic service center to help with this procedure. Here is a guide to test transformers. Since this is a train control there is a potentiometer in it (variable resistor) you will want to check that as well. In the end the best and cheapest route is look for a replacement one. Posted on Jan 30, 2011. Hello, Don - I hope I am correct you are asking about a Lionel ZW transformer for electric model trains. I am personally not familiar with the transformer.
However, I have found some information on the internet which may prove informative to you. See: Plus, I found 3 PDF documents which are a series about repairing Lionel ZW transformers: For the 3 PDF documents you will need Adobe Reader software (free) to open, download, save to your Documents folder, and print. Assuming I am correct that you mean a Lionel ZW transformer, you may find more (and better) information on a forum for model train enthusiasts. This is a link to one such forum: If you are not familiar with that forum, you will need to first register to post on it. Registration is free. Jan 11, 2018.
On a postwar LIONEL ZW TRANSFORMER, Yes the red light will come on if a short is present with the throttle on. As soon as the throttle lever is in the off position the red light will go off. Shortly followed by the automatic circuit breaker clicking, as it cools and resets. The short on the track may still be present but with the lever in the off position the red light will stay off. There are several variations of the ZW 275 Watt transformer, early and late 'type R' models. Both work the same but are wired slightly different the early ZW uses two 6 volt bulbs and the 'Type R' uses two 18 volt bulbs. Internally if there is a resister connected to the base of the red light it will use the 6 volt bulbs.
Aug 09, 2015. Hi, Not everyone will agree with me on all of this, because many people are very cautious about electrical stuff, so do proceed with caution. But, I would start unplugging it. Then unscrew and open the top.
You will probably need to remove the light bulbs under the green and red caps to get the top to lift off. I would first look for anything looking burnt. You didn't say what kind of smell it was and whether it was running trains or accessories at the time. Ocassionally, under load, things get warm in one spot or another and just bending a wire away from a hot spot solves the problem. Over the nearly 50-65 years since these things were made there are a couple of things that can get moved around. I would, really double check what you were running when the thing started smoking. Make sure there are no shorts or derailed trucks or pilot wheels.
The original circuit breakers on the ZW's are not very good, and even less so after 50 years. They don't always do what they should when there is a short. Many people who use these ZWs want to protect their trains and they change the circuit breaker to something more reliable.
Lionel Type Zw R Transformer Service Manual Pdf
Look up 'Lionel ZW circuit breaker' on Ebay and sort by Price + shipping. $11 is the lowest I found and a pretty good deal. Most sellers send you instructions on how to install.
What I'm saying is be sure your transformer isn't burning because of a short on the train table. If it is, then you probably need to change the circuit breaker. The last thing I would do is, VERY CAREFULLY, with the top off, plug it back in and operate it like you did before when it started smoking, and then watch for sparks, smoke etc. Unplug it again before doing anything else. There are service manuals and repair instructions out there on the internet.
Lionel Type Zw Transformer
Go to this site linked below and scroll to the bottom of the page for complete repair manuals for the ZW and ZW-R. The pages are.pdf and you can download them individually. I have done that and then printed them and made a repair folder. Search their Library while there. There is a ton of great information.
Good Luck, Dave Mar 25, 2015.
ZW Model R Transformer Manual Set consisting of 6 pages. This set covers the ZW model R transformer. This version is the last of this style postwar transformer. As was the case with its predecessors.
This transformer was advertised as being able to operate four individual trains on four variable voltage circuits, however the two inner controls had no whistle or directional controls as in the past. This transformer has both power and short circuit light indicators. Lionel used the same case for the Model R as used previously but internally it was different. The Model R was released in early 1957 and continued until 1966. Like its immediate predecessor, the (R) version remained at 275 watts.
Although the outside of the transformer appears the same as previous versions, Lionel made major internal changes to improve the transformer and reduce assembly time at the factory. The ZW(R) version is stamped on the bottom base plate with ZW(R).