The Fort Pitt modular club experience the out of Phase/ Z4000 to PH 180 bricks. Fix, eventually after several tries, was to reverse the polarity on the bricks. I had a few old three to two prong adaptors that solved the problem without cord cutting. Really old adaptors have the same size left/right prong. Or, current three to two adapters, could be modified, with a small file or grinder. Both prongs have to be the same, (small), size to reverse polarity.
The Z 4000s plug-into the same power source bottom of this board.
With a lot of locomotives on the turntable module, start-up, initial power, was beyond the trip limit of one PH 180. We added the second PH 180, in parallel, to operate the turntable module. (note the Lionel Y-adaptor), that plugs the two PH 180, to the input of the silver box/TPC 400. Still had to phase the turntable power with the two existing Z 4000's
Note that the PH 180 cords have been modified, shortened and reversed, near the cord end, with butt-splices and shrink tube. Two wire cord is identified with markings on one of the two conductors. Done without opening the transformers.
Best wishes with your project 
Mike CT.
