Ok, I have tested the Z-4000 by setting-up two straight tracks to test the accuracy of the voltage and amps. The throttles work fine and only train at time powers up when its respective throttle is thrown. I have cut the center rail in each of the crossover sections between their respective switches to eliminate power between the loops. I checked the terminal blocks and connections for the two loops and they appear correct. The problem appears to stem from the outer loop "A". As soon as I connect the leads from the terminal block to the transformer my problems begin. When I power up the "A" loop, the amps increase quickly and the red light begins to flash, which I understand to mean there is an overload of amps. The "B" loop seems to work fine but again, both voltage meters are increasing in volts. When I disconnect the leads for the "A" loop the "B" loop works fine however, voltage is still being registered on the voltage meter for the "A" loop. What's more telling is the fact that prior to getting Z-4000, I was using a Lionel ZW to power both the "A" and "B" loops and had no issues. Between the time I was using the Lionel ZW and the acquisition of the Z-4000 no alterations to the wiring had occurred.
I even tried bypassing the terminal block for "A" loop connections altogether by simply running wires from the transformer directly to the track and I all that happened was that the amperage shot up and the red warning on the transformer glowed red.
I am at my wit's end with this right now and was hoping to have this problem remedied prior to my grand daughter coming over on Easter to see the layout. Needless to say this is most disappointing.
