MTH Z500 vs using Z1000 with TIU

I suspect that you were right at the edge of the Z-500's wattage output limit, and that the horn was the straw that broke the camel's back.

 I don't recall MTH supplying anything less than the Z-1000 with passenger sets. IIRC only freight sets were supplied with the Z-500 or Z-750 transformers. A Locomotive(especially if it is a 2 motored one) and 5 passenger cars is a lot of power draw for a Z-500.

I Hope that the Z-1000 solves your problem,

Doug

Thanks Doug. When I first started buying all this stuff I purchased the Z500 with the infra red remote and wasn't planning on getting the TIU right away, but I got the train fever and had to have the latest and greatest I guess. So I was using that 500 to power everything because I already had it, but I think you're right. It was the straw that broke the camels back.

I'm just hoping the 1000 takes care of that problem. I think it's solved, I didn't have it happen when I ran it last. 

You're Welcome, I understand the not planning on getting that involved, my 3R O Gauge addiction, started out as "Just a Train for under the Tree", that was 2005, and I haven't bought any HO since.

 The Z-1000, should be plenty, it is nominally rated at 20 watts more than a Lionel CW-80, and I didn't have trouble until I tried to run a 2 motored Lionmaster Challenger, pulling 8 K Line 18" heavyweight passenger cars, 4 bulbs per car IIRC, it didn't like that.

Doug

I am using 2 MTH Z-1000's for my PS-2 engines & freight trains and the Z-1000 has enough power.

The Z-500 is rated for only 50 watts of power. The Z-1000 has 100 watts.

I have used a small 40 watt transformer and it quits after several feet with one engine and four passenger cars. Used a larger watt transformer and no problems.

Lee Fritz

I bought a Z-750 power supply at a train show and I am using it to power my DCS base unit. Am using the 2 Z-1000's with the DCS for my PS-2 and one PS-3 engine.

Lee Fritz

This is all Greek to me, but I have a Z-4000 that was hardly used.  My husband collected, and never got the train running on the tracks.  I do know they are triple tracks.

He collected MTH N&W Steam.  Has a few strangers, Rio Grande Galloping Goose, WVP&P Shay,70" Passenger car Set, 70" sleeper/Diner set,  Williams N&W 2-6-6-4  J.  4 Bay Hopper with Coal Load, Caboose 9182..

Mel's operating Diner, Lionel Hiawatha Cars, 1336 Baggage, Red River Valley Coach, 170 Diner, and Cedar Rapids Sky Top Observation.  In 2002 I was able to ride in the Cedar Rapids being pulled by 261 from the Twin Cities.

Unfortunately, Bill has died, and I need to sell these and many more items for, yes, you guessed it, as much as possible.  Most of this has just lived in the original boxes with a few exceptions. 

Might anyone be able to suggest help?

Thanks,

I'm sorry about your husband.. That's sad to me.. I don't need anything at the moment. Maybe put an ad on here to sell some of those items. 

Good luck to you

Should I be using my old z500 to power my TIU? Does the TIU draw that much that it would be beneficial to have its own power source? The way I have it set up now is the z1000 is powering everything. It's just one locomotive and there will be five 60 foot passenger cars. But currently just using 4 of the smaller MTH passenger cars. The 60 footers have an extra light I think, so when I get those reassembled I guess I'll find out if the z1000 is big enough.

Wyatts dad posted:

Should I be using my old z500 to power my TIU? Does the TIU draw that much that it would be beneficial to have its own power source? The way I have it set up now is the z1000 is powering everything. It's just one locomotive and there will be five 60 foot passenger cars. But currently just using 4 of the smaller MTH passenger cars. The 60 footers have an extra light I think, so when I get those reassembled I guess I'll find out if the z1000 is big enough.

The MTH Z-1000 should be strong enough for your 4 or 5 car passenger train with one powered engine. I have run a lot of stuff with my Z-1000, example; 6 lighted Madison style passenger cars(2 lights in each-incandescent lights) and one powered engine and one unpowered engine(with 2 lights).

Lee Fritz

Mary Jo posted:

This is all Greek to me, but I have a Z-4000 that was hardly used.  My husband collected, and never got the train running on the tracks.  I do know they are triple tracks.

He collected MTH N&W Steam.  Has a few strangers, Rio Grande Galloping Goose, WVP&P Shay,70" Passenger car Set, 70" sleeper/Diner set,  Williams N&W 2-6-6-4  J.  4 Bay Hopper with Coal Load, Caboose 9182..

Mel's operating Diner, Lionel Hiawatha Cars, 1336 Baggage, Red River Valley Coach, 170 Diner, and Cedar Rapids Sky Top Observation.  In 2002 I was able to ride in the Cedar Rapids being pulled by 261 from the Twin Cities.

Unfortunately, Bill has died, and I need to sell these and many more items for, yes, you guessed it, as much as possible.  Most of this has just lived in the original boxes with a few exceptions. 

Might anyone be able to suggest help?

Thanks, 

Sorry to hear about your loss. 

Have you tried www.choochooauctions.com  The guy is very decent to work with.  You can try to sell your husband's train stuff on here but it might take a couple of months.

Lee Fritz