Yeah, I would like to upgrade to the Legacy system (I will let all of you kind folks work out the "bugs" first ), but I have the new style ZW with the 180 watt PowerHouse power supplies bought this year and TMCC. From what I read and hear the Legacy does not work with the ZW and can kill it. Now it seems that Lionel is not even bothering to support the new ZW. I threw coin at this ZW with the idea that I could run conventional and TMCC locomotives. Now it seems that I cannot.
Any ideas on what gives?

Then read on Captain... There is a fix for the ZW. Call customer service. If you are handy with some tools and can put a chip in you're all set. I did mine in less than 1/2. They sent me a new chip for the ZW. It works great. If you are not comfortable then they'll do it for you.

My ZW is working like a champ!

Marty and Captain,

I have the ZW with the 180 Watt Bricks, not the PWC version, and I have had zero problems with it and legacy. I have not modified it at all.

Marty,

Which ZW do you have? Interseting if it is the same one I have and you had to add a chip.

Let me know.. Thanks

I have the same question?

I have the newer ZW with the 180 watt bricks and plan on using my Legacy with it like I have used TMCC. I thought the 'ZW' compatibility problem was only with the PWC ZW with the 135 bricks?

John,

That is what I thought and obviously I must be right.. Mine, with thw 180 Watt bricks gives me no problems.

Folks:

I am certain that the problem is with the PWC version of the ZW. The modern ZW that ships with the 2 X 180 watt bricks is fine.

Regards,

Joe

I do have the PWC 135W version. I cannot comment on the other versions although Jon Z did send me a normal one to test and I had the same issue with that control head.

I would add that if you haven't had an issue yet then you're probably fine. Mine did and I had the chip sent to me.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MartyE,

Marty,
Are there any instructions that come with the replacement chip for the ZW? From what I understand its just a matter of gaining access. Little reluctant to send the transformer in, they have had my BB since June, and telling me still acouple of weeks before they get to IT. Hate to have the entire layout down for that period of time. So will change the chip myself.

Thanks,
Don

I didn't need any. Remove the lid. You maybe able to access the chip without any further disassembly. I choose to take the circuit board out. You need to be able to remove the board by removing the lugs on the rear of the ZW. I also removed the four stands the retain the heat sinks. The thing to remember is the orientation of the original chip. The replacement is the same.

Thanks

Marty,

Thanks for the info I call Lionel CS yesterday and they are sending me the circuit board is what I was told next week.

What is the problem with Legacy and the ZW? What are the symptons? I have a very early ZW with the 180W bricks. It is one with the commons reversed. Will mine work with Legacy? Is Captaincog correct with his statement: "From what I read and hear the Legacy does not work with the ZW and can kill it." I have read a lot about Legacy but this is the first I have heard of any compatibility problems with a ZW.

Earl

The problem that I and others have had is the ZW sometimes reacts to Legacy as if a HALT command was sent shutting down the outputs. The problem explained to me is in the ZW and not Legacy. Legacy has exposed the flaw. The new chip corrected it.

The symptom for me is when I powered my layout with Legacy attached my ZW outputs would shutdown as if I hit HALT on the Legacy remote. It wasn't all the time and was intermittent. Since installing the new chip my ZW has functioned just fine.

My symptom are the just as Martys

MartyE I did mine yesterday. They sent me a new chip for the ZW now It works great.