I am at work and do not have access to Barry's book, but does the Z4000 communicate directly with the DCS handheld? Or since the TIU has variable voltage is it not really need to control conventional engines and setting output voltage
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Chris,
does the Z4000 communicate directly with the DCS handheld?
Yes, it does, through a Z4000 Remote Commander receiver.
Barry,
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but do you not also need a Z4K Remote Commander Receiver to make this work?
Chris
LVHR
Chris,
but do you not also need a Z4K Remote Commander Receiver to make this work?
Yes, that's correct. I've added that to my post.
Out of the box, the Z4000 does not communicate with the DCS system, except for providing raw, steady power. DCS is configured to take steady power from any power source, such as a Z4000, Z1000, z500, and apply it to the tracks. If you wish to operate a PS2 or PS3 engine, you would use the fixed voltage outputs; if you run a conventional engine, you would use the variable outputs and select the track from the remote.
To be clear, if you have a Z4K remote receiver, you can also run conventional using the TIU's fixed channels.
Any Z-4000 Remote Commander Receiver (40-4002) out there? MTH has been back-ordered for more than three years on that item.
Any available substitute?
Thank you
IMHO, MTH ought to get its act together on goosing up its suppliers, before customers start departing. Maybe its time for MTH to think about producing some items in USA, as many manufacturers are finding out. There's no excuse for some of the shipping delays, other than poor subcontract management.
Guys,
MTH has re-introduced the Z4000 Remote Commander in its latest catalog. There will be one more run of them and then all the parts will be gone, with no way to purchase any more.
There is talk about, perhaps, creating a new product that accomplishes the same thing, however, there is no decision on that and no timeframe, either.
Barry, seems odd to me that there would be no way to obtain more parts. Aren't most all the components readily available electronic parts?
Robert,
Aren't most all the components readily available electronic parts?
The device is going on 15 years old or older. My understanding from MTH is that several of the key parts are at end-of-life.
Having been involved in the aerospace industry where long life of specific products is a fact of life, EOL parts are part of the deal. OTOH, it's very unlikely that they couldn't do either a last time buy of the parts in question or a substitution with a simple modification of the product. This is a common industry practice, happens all the time.
John,
As I stated above...
There is talk about, perhaps, creating a new product that accomplishes the same thing, however, there is no decision on that and no timeframe, either.
Originally Posted by RJR:
IMHO, MTH ought to get its act together on goosing up its suppliers, before customers start departing. Maybe its time for MTH to think about producing some items in USA, as many manufacturers are finding out. There's no excuse for some of the shipping delays, other than poor subcontract management.
Doesn't matter where things are built, you're still at the mercy of the component maufacturers and suppliers.
Plus, when a component is obsoleted, the replacement may or may not work properly without some re-engineering.
Rusty
Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
Doesn't matter where things are built, you're still at the mercy of the component maufacturers and suppliers.
Plus, when a component is obsoleted, the replacement may or may not work properly without some re-engineering.
The name of the game is keeping up with the product line. If you're going to be in the electronic equipment game, you need to be able to deal with component lead times, second sources, and replacement part engineering. That should all be figured into your product line and pricing, it's the reality of the times.
First, did the initial poster get a clear answer to his question?
Second, obsolescence occurs everywhere. We started a kitchen project 5 years ago. Recently, we wanted to expand it. When we went to order a new cabinet, we found that Kraftmaid no longer makes that particular style, nor does it even make any cabinets in exactly the same color. And when we went to get additional counter top, the store no longer carries it and we will have to buy 8 ft of counter top in order to get an 18 inch piece. No outside suppliers involved, no obsolete components; just a company changing its product line.
At least MTH (and Lionel) have a reasonable excuse when companies they don't control stop making components.
Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:
John,
As I stated above...
There is talk about, perhaps, creating a new product that accomplishes the same thing, however, there is no decision on that and no timeframe, either.
We drive 4 Z4000 transfos on our network with 3 Z4KRCC. It is not only very useful but essential in saving the burden of pulling up or down 8 handles each time we neeed to start or shut down the network.
Barry fully describes this Z4K RCC in the pages 90 on the Companion and we take all the advantages of that described item.
The following is to be considered constructive.
MTH holds there a very exclusive and useful piece of apparatus and I find it very very disappointing that MTH cannot lead the parade on this but instead tries to show up once the parade is long gone.
We call it being innovative, exclusive, market leader, etc. MTH failed here. I regret it very much because I think highly of that company. Proof of the amount of locomotives I own and drive on our Club network.
I sure whish somebody takes over.
Jean-Paul.
