Best source for powering Lights and buildings

The Z-4000 should have a 14v and a 10v accessory ports in the back. I think you should be able to connect one of those outputs (depending on your needs) up to an MTH 12 or 24 port terminal board and then hook your buildings, lights, etc. up to that.

Makes good sense.  Would I be better off with 10 volts for the bulbs, or should I go with the 14 volts?  I intend to replace with LEDs as I replace them in the future.

I use a 12v ac landscape lighting transformer. I think it’s 450 Watts 

I use a PC power supply. It is 300 Watts, and they can be found used for $15 or $20. 12 vdc  and also a 5vdc tap that, with a diode, will give you the 4.5vdc for Menards, Lemax, and others. If I need AC, I tap off a train transformer. 

Great advice.  Thank you all.

I use an old "Z" Transformer! It has 4 Variable Outputs to match any accessory you have !  I run all the Outputs thru ASC's, so I can operate them with my CAB2.

You can pick these "Z's" up at train shows very reasonable !!

Frdstrains

Thanks for your input.  As I see it I will have the following requirements:

1) 14 volts or so for bulbs in MTH buildings.

2) specified voltage for operating accessories.

3) Approx. 5 volts for Menards buildings

4) Specified voltage for other LED lighted structures.

All told, I see a need for about 3 different voltages.  The information relayed to me in this topic will help me make choices.  I was considering using the fixed channels on the Z-4000 for bulbs ansd accessories.  I haven't figured out wether or not I want to dim the lights.  Lower voltage items (leds etc) will come from a different source.  My ace in the hole is a ZW-L new in the box.

You might try the buildings illuminated at various voltages. My guess is 14 volts in the dark will have them much too bright, 8 might be much better.  The advantage to an adjustable transformer is you can vary the voltage to your liking, and go with a good breaker, there will be a lot of amps until you convert to LED's. Can the LED's you are looking at be dimmed? IIRC from posts here the ZW-L can't retain the set voltage settings like the ZW-C can when powering up. ???

BobbyD posted:

You might try the buildings illuminated at various voltages. My guess is 14 volts in the dark will have them much to bright, 8 might be much better.  The advantage to an adjustable transformer is you can vary the voltage to your liking, and go with a good breaker. There will be a lot of amps until you convert to LED's. Can the LED's you are looking at be dimmed? IIRC from posts here the ZW-L can't retain the set voltage settings like the ZW-C can when powering up. ???

Adjustability sounds like the key.  As far as the LEDs being dimmable, I would have to check on the Menards site.  The only thing I have with LEDs that is not Menarrds is the gray Lionel coaling tower that came out recently.  I am not surprised that the throttles have to be reset upon power on.  Similar to the MTH.  UL people I'm sure.

FWIW, the ZWL does maintain the power settings on all four channels after shut down.  No need to readjust each time.  “Set and forget”.