Any Reason to Have My Transformer on Display

Has it got meters?  I would think you'd want to see them.

With the Z4000. the two handles must be at 0 volts when power is turned on or the transformer will register a short.  Therefore, you need to be able to get to the transformer whenever you apply power.  Also, as stated above, I would think you would want to be able to see the meters.

 

Happy railroading,

Don

Either way, just so it's easily accessible.  

 

Although engine sounds tend to fill the air, the nice thing about hiding the Z4000 is that depending on where you put it, you dampen the fan noise.  

Can't resist...

 

The Minnie Pearl treatment works great when relatives are around...

 

Hang a bodacious price tag on it and in full view of the maddening crowd...

 

It's great for conversation and other sorts of ruminations among the evolutionaries.

 

KD

I like being able to see the digital readouts, which are quite easy to read from some distance.  I have the transformer, DCS TIU and AIU, and Lionel Cab-1L base on a TV cart that is on rollers, and which resides under a part of the layout but still in a visible location with good air circulation.

Put it where you can see it ..it looks cool!

 

The transformers look great, with their handles and lights or gauges. They are for display!

Fred

I have mine on a wheeled cart with extra wire so it can be out of sight when not in use.

You could make a heavy duty drawer bottom and pull out when running layout to view amp/voltmeters and move handles on z-4000 after it has powered up.

Or create a lift out section on the layouts surface and view gauges that way yet transformer is basically out of view.

 

The handle issue at startup is a pain at times which is why I designated mine as yard/ roundhouse power.

 

Yes, I remember not too long ago reading a thread about that. Ostensibly, the Z-4000 is like owning a Porsche. That's alright, I'll stick with my old reliable '72 Dodge Dart, I mean 180-watt PowerHouse bricks.

Nope

 

Clem

I was told by a very good friend that knows all there is to know about MTH that the Z4000 must have good air flow. I only have ZW's so I do not know if that is true.

I also have mine on a wheeled cart that rolls under the layout, and the meters are visible through most of the control area.

 

If you use the MTH Z-4000 remote receiver, you can turn the transformer on and off with the DCS remote and never touch the handles. You don't need the handheld transmitter for the Z-4000 remote; the receiver plugs into the transformer and it works just fine with the DCS remote. You can control the voltage from the DCS remote if you want to run conventional. 

I would want it easily accessible.  Even bricks have circuit breakers you may need to reset.  I have the zw-l and its proudly on display.  If i owned  z4000 I would also display it.  The lighted gauges and bright lionel name in the front, is just too nice to hide somewhere.

Yep, I like to build a cart to roll under the display for the transformers. In the build process I always check the height clearance for the throttle handles in their highest position. Don't know if that's an issue with the Z4000 but it is for the post war zw

Make it (them) an industry on the layout, served by two or three tracks!

Ditto what Rockstar said above "it looks cool."

 

Brad

    I went to H D and bought 18" long drawer slide rails mounted them under the layout. When I need to (adjust) something I pull out the control panel do whatever I need to do and push the panel back under the layout. Out of site out of mind and people are not hitting their leg/hip on it when they come around the corner. Choo Choo Kenny

Only to see if the power lights are on, to indicate the transformer is operating correctly.

 

Andrew

"Put it where you can see it ..it looks cool!"

 

Boy, I am with you Nick on this one. For me, it is strictly a throw-back want from the time I was a kid. Transformers, switch controls, etc. look magnificent on a big, long control table.

 

Technically, not necessary, but I sure like it.

I don't care for the look of the Z4000, so I bought a ZW-C, with the digital meters add on.  Right now since I don't have a layout yet, it's on top of my entertainment center where I can see it.  That was the only place I could safely put it for now.  But when I do get that layout built, it may not be at the track level, but it will be easy to get to as I will set up my layout to run conventional, as well as command.

With the blinking lights and moving gauges they look nice, plus the minute you place them in an out of the way spot, you will have to pull them out to reset the breaker or connect a new wire. Picked that up from vast experience....

 

With the DCS Remote Commander system you can leave the handles at Zero, still nice to see/read the volt and amp meters.

 

Spence;

If I could put a bug in MTH's ear,that one would be on the list. Have it start at Zero and ramp up on Power On If you Leave the handles up. It's likely just a software change.

The Remote makes it OK for use with my DCS so that's probably the answer for me.

 

Then again, I'm using multiple bricks into the TIU, so I don't really need a Z4000 anyway.

My Z-4000's have always been cool looking! 

 

NO need to "hide" them! 

Mine are totally in view

 

Don - I agree with Dewey.  I would sell the Z-4000 and use Lionel 180 power bricks out of sight.  Put them on a switched power supply and they will come on when you switch on the power.  They have great fuses, cost less, don't have to be powered on like the Z-4000, reset by just switching the power off and on, and easily expandable.  I am not against the Z-4000 which is an excellent power source, but if you are using command control you don't need the handles.  If you want meters, they are easy to add.

 

Art

My layout is 48 inches above the floor so I tucked it on a shelf under the edge of my  layout. It is easily accessible and and I can read the meters.

I would say nope!  Use the space for more layout.

.....

Dennis

I like the design of Lionel Transformers even the CW80.  They are very cool looking and the ZWL is the best looking device on anyone's layout. I'm not a big fan of the MTH design aesthetic and would hide their stuff.  I think the decision is ultimately up to what you want to highlight and focus on.  To me, ever since I was a kid I have always liked the electrical aspect of the hobby and always liked to see the transformers and control panels. I use bricks to power my new layout, but when I get further along I will find a prominent place for my old ZW even if just for show or to power a small line for kids.  

Hi Don,

 

Here is what I did - out-of-sight, and yet visible.

(Initially for two Z4K's, now two ZW-L's.)

 

Good luck!

Alex