Legacy with MTH4000

Chuck,  be very careful - you should not use the older transformers without adding new circuit breakers to protect your locomotive.   The Z4000 will work fine with Legacy.

Thank you for responding.   I was re-reading the operating instructions and noticed I missed the Z4000 was approved for use.   I was just about to respond.   

Thank you again,

Chuck

Chuck,

   You should have no problem using the Z4K to power your legacy BB.  If the BB was mine however, I would install 5-7 Amp Scott Type resettable Breakers in front of the Z4K, to safe guard my very expensive legacy BB, I use the DCS TIU and the Breakers when running my new Legacy Shay and all my other engines also.  These Lionel Legacy engines & MTH TIU's are way to expensive now, I would error on the safety side if I were you, and do everything possible to protect your layout.  

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

Thank you for taking the time to respond.   Where can I purchase the breakers you referenced?   Thanks again, Chuck

Chuck,

   You can purchase them right form our OGR Sponsors in the heading block, Hennings has the auto resettables and Train Electrics has the manual Scott type resettables, I have been using for years, they will deliver right to your door.

PCRR/Dave

If I am using the new ZW-L, are the resettable breakers still recomended?  I have all new legacy engines.

jp,

   I use them between all my transformers & TIU on every red mid track line, to me it does not matter what transformer, even the modern ones.  Some say this is over kill, however I have never damaged an engine or a TIU running in this manner. IMO better to be safe installing the 5-7 or 10 Amp breakers than have repair bills on engines and TIU's. 

PCRR/Dave

The Resettable Scott Breakers with the white stripe you see between both the Z4K and the old ZW are connected to both the transformers and the different red portions on the channels of the TIU.  Running in this manner the Breakers & the TVS in the TIU protect the entire layout.  Thanks to Barry I learned this long before he even wrote his 1st DCS book.  It still works exactly as he taught me, even today.

Dave,

Sorry for the delayed response.   Work, family and my son's homework have impacted my spare time!!    I did contact Neil from Train Electrics.    He was very helpful.   I ordered what he suggested.    I wanted to circle back and acknowledge that I appreciated your help.

Chuck

The ZW-L has an excellent protection system, no need to add more.

I'm concerned with the above statement.

the legacy system is controlled by plugging it in.

or did you mean something else?

just trying to be clear so the non-posters do not get the wrong idea. 

The bigger issue hear with powering the track for Legacy engines is the MTH transformer can provide a higher voltage than recommended for Lionel engines.

Lionel recommends 18VAC or less.  The Z-4000 can put out above 22VAC.  So just make sure you only raise the voltage to 18VAC and you will be fine.  G

you have to watch the Lionel product instructional video chop vs. smooth sine wave reference #71-4198-002 date added 11/27/2012.

This will tell you why this is happing and how to add a TPC 6-14189 or 6-14179 to solve that problem. I had the same problem with the MTH Z4000 it is a great transform just stay at 18 to 19 votes to be on the safe side.

I also received my big boy on 12/23/2014.    

 Where can I find the resettable Scott Breakers you mention?

J Scott,

   We have 2 fine Sponsors here on the OGR where you can purchase the Breakers,

Train Electrics carries the original Scott Type 10 Amp Resettable Breakers I use they bought Scotts a while back, they are shown in the picture above, you can also get the newer 5 Amp Auto Reset Breakers from Hennings.  Both Companies are on the Sponsor listing at the head of the OGR forum, you can contact them thru their listings, via their web sights or phone numbers. Use the Search category top left if needed.

PCRR/Dave