quote: Originally posted by dave hikel: Hang on guys. I've run into this before when using more than one Z-4000. There may not be a problem.
John, when you turn on and power up the transformers how do you do it?
A - You turn Z4K #1 and run up the throttles. Then you turn on Z4K #2 and run up the throttles.
B - You turn on Z4K #1 and Z4K #2. Then you run up the throttles on each transformer.
Your answer will be very telling. Wink
In that thread I noted I had tried both of the above methods of firing up the transformers and did not make a difference.
Now, however, after having both transformers working properly with their TIU's, the behavior Dave notes above has appeared.
1. If I turn on both transformers first, then raise the handles on both, the voltage goes to 18 or whatever is desired on all four handles.
2. If, on the other hand, I turn on one transformer and its handles raised, and then the second is turned on and its handles raised, the strange decimal voltage readings show up as 2.1, etc., and will not go up much higher even with the handle up all the way on that track.
Why does this happen and what does it mean? Is it indicative of some problem on my layout with wiring or other things?
I power all my transformers via power strips that I turn on whenever I want to run my trains. I turn up the handle of the Z4000 when I want to power up a specific loop. 4 of my 13 or so loops are powered with the Z4000 with one handle per loop. I have never had any issue where I could not raise the voltage to 19 volts. I also have 5 Lionel 180 bricks, two PW ZWs and a MRC Pure Power transformer with the PW used for lights and PW accessories.
Location: Kensington, MD | Registered:: October 26, 2005
I have not had any problems so cannot be sure of yours but is it possible that you have the track terminals reversed on one of the outputs. The red should go to center rail and black to outer. Another thing you might want to check is that the gaps in the center rail between blocks are not jumping current across through a jagged edge or something if the routes are connected.
