Dan Padova posted:Moonman posted:Dan,
The MTH Z-1000 provides about 5.5amps. You can connect the switch power feed to the 14v ACC screws on the brick (transformer) . They are marked + -.
I believe it is accepted practice to use only the hot to the switch and let the switch use the track common. That's ok.
Then connect the red (hot) and black from the controller posts to the track center and outside rails.
However, the switch coils will use up some amperage for the train supply from the controller outputs.
As long as you use track power from the controller and not directly from the barrel jack all will be ok.
I am not a fan of the breakers. They are thermal breakers and usually trip at about 200% of rating. 5 amp would be the highest I would use. It still may not kick fast enough.
The Z-1000 has a breaker in the controller for track power. use an in-line fuse for the ACC power to switches. The newer blade type are easier to source and can be had in low amperage values. Take note that the directions instruct one to unplug power from source for the Z-1000 to reset after it kicks.
Things are still simple. Just hook up the Z-1000. Leave the old stuff for decorations.
Just make a test loop on the floor with a couple of switches and test it.
Carl, if I understand you correctly, the positive accessory terminal on the Z-1000 brick gets connected to the fixed voltage plug on the switch track. If so, this would be the same way, in a sense, that using a KW for example, would be wired for fixed voltage to the turnouts.
Dan,
The Z-1000 is a strange beast without the controller. It is my experience that the track outputs are reversed in the barrel connector, which gets "corrected" when plugged into the Z-controller or a TIU. I don't have any to put up now, they are 75 miles away at the Eagle Scout project at the InfoAge Science Museum. We have a brick with the connector cut-off, which was wired to a programming track originally. When I attempted to use to track power outputs, I discovered the reversal issue. I tossed it back in the parts box until I found this information. It's still there.
What PLCProf demonstrated is the expected result. Therefore, it is the same as using the KW for the ACC power for the switches.
Dan, again, throw together a test loop and try it.
JGL, was yours acquired new or pre-owned? Perhaps someone switched the connections in the barrel connector. I can't explain why MTH does this with these small bricks. I do know that folks assume they can cut the barrel connector off and use the center pin wire as a direct hot and they discover it's out of phase.
Side bar-We ended up using these Z-Controllers and bricks because they will power up with throttle on to the track, which we need for unattended operation by museum staff for conventional trains. We have a Z-4000. It will not apply power to track when the electric is switched on. One must leave the throttles at zero and then move the throttles. More MTH strangeness.
