stan2004 posted:Stop the presses! I gave you bad information on the Z-controller.
I examined mine and it appears "Black" is NOT common between input and output. Instead it the "Red" that is connected internally. OTOH for the DCS-RC, the "Black" is common between input and output. I'll have to revise my diagram. Maybe it can still be done with "just" a DPDT configuration but as you have intuited, it may require a more complex (e.g., 3P) switch type.
If you have a meter, with nothing connected to the Z-controller, could you measure the Ohms between the input center-pin and the output "Red" banana...and separately the Ohms between the input "sleeve" and the output "Black" banana? You can plug in the barrel-connector with pigtails if it makes it easier to attach the meter probes.
OK, I redid the test without the switch, and with each controller wired in discreetly.
1) With the Z-1000 wired up, I got power to conventional locos with the knob at 0.
However, when I disconnected the ground from the HC the power stopped, and worked with the knob, as it should.
Now, when I disconnected the ground from the Z-1000, the power was still there, with the Z-1000 knob at 0.
2) WIth the HC wired in, separately, all worked as it should.
This leads me to believe that it is a ground issue with the Z-1000.
I will try reversing the hot and ground out of the Z-1000 to see what happens.
