MTH Z4000 throttle handles are a little loose.

Did you try tightening the screws underneath that tighten the handles? If that didn't help you need to ship it back to MTH or to a service center that repairs the Z4k. I knew someone who had the same problem with his. 

unfortunately the z4000 transformer the potentiometer goes bad and causes erratic readings or voltage stop completely ,mth does not have new potentiometer at the moment they are. Trying to get a new vendor. But have had no success so far. Mth and 2 other asc techs are the only ones that mth will let them be repaired otherwise  you have to send yours in for repair, as far as the handle. There is a spring inside that keeps tension on the throttle lever so it won't drift. I would send it to mth as I don't believe any asc techs that repair them have the potentiomers to repair your transformer!

Some of the behavior is normal.  Transformers are not load regulated.  So if you set the NO LOAD voltage to 20V on a Z-4000, then start up a few trains and load up amperage, Voltage naturally droops.  Set voltage to max and not worry about it if running MTH trains.  As Gene said, you can tighten up handle feel.  G

Alan Mancus posted:

unfortunately the z4000 transformer the potentiometer goes bad and causes erratic readings or voltage stop completely ,math does not have new potentiometer at the moment they are. Trying to get a new vendor. But have had no success so far. Math and 2 other asc techs are the only ones that math will let them be repaired otherwise  you have to send yours in for repair, as far as the handle. There is a spring inside that keeps tension on the throttle lever so it won't drift. I would send it to math as I don't believe any asc techs that repair them have the potentiomers to repair your transformer!

Time to turn off the auto-correct! 

I'm thinking of purchasing a used MRC 270 Watt transformer as a back-up while my Z4000 is in for repair. I run DCS & Legacy on a 2 basic loop 15' x 32' layout, with a 8 track yard with 3 passing sidings. Any reason not to?

Thanks!

Isn’t it like a 1 turn 100k linear pot? Should be pretty easy to replace from Digi-Key, Mouser or Allied

 no  Matt it is a 10 ohm 1 turn pot and I have talked to Jason about this he said MTH is trying to find another  manufacture to make new potentiometer's but so far have not been able to find a company to produce them. !

Alan

Do I understand correctly, if I send the Z4000 to MTH, it can not be repaired at this time? It does function, but it's a little flaky.

So I'll ask again, is there any reason not to purchase the used MRC 270 Watt, from my local hobby shop at a fair price? I'm looking to keep my trains running when I do send my Z4000 back.

Should I just buy 2 Lionel Powerhouse 180 WATT Power Bricks? How would I hook those up to my TIU?

Thanks,

Joe

How about this? Lionel 6-32930 ZW Multi-Watt Transformer and 2-180 Watt Powerhouse Set

depending  if its warranty or not I do not know unless there willing to take the part out of a new transformer since there having trouble get the potentiometer any other parts they have. call  and ask that's what I would do!

ironman1 posted:

Should I just buy 2 Lionel Powerhouse 180 WATT Power Bricks? How would I hook those up to my TIU?

It's very easy to connect the PH180 brick to the TIU, you just need a jumper cable.  I make mine, they're just standard Molex connectors.

Hi John,

So I guess you agree that 2 bricks are a good solution. I was thinking of getting the Lionel 6-32930 ZW Multi-Watt Transformer and 2-180 Watt Powerhouse Set to have the option to have the variable handles to lower the power when I run my Grandsons Lionchief engines with him. It keeps him from running at warp speed.

Do you have a source for the Molex connectors?

Thanks,

Joe

Molex 0003092032 , the pins are at the bottom of the page.  If you don't have a crimp tool, you can just fold them over with needle nose pliers and solder the wire.  I did that for years before I bought my crimp tools.