Even if it "might" work momentarily, this is a really bad idea. The Z750 is 75 watts. The PH180 is 180 watts. Your chances of smoking the Z750 controller are high.

If you don't care, or want to do destructive testing of the Z750 controller, do it on a switched circuit so you can turn the power off quickly. And, keep a fire extinguisher handy.

I'm no expert but I would not use the MTH controller with a Powerhouse 180.  Not sure it can handle that much wattage.

Question for you.  If you have only TMCC and LC+ locos, why do you need a variable voltage at all? Just use the Powerhouse 180 without variable voltage since all your locos are command.  Unless I missed something here.

@Landsteiner posted:

Question for you.  If you have only TMCC and LC+ locos, why do you need a variable voltage at all? J

I think he just put sounds in, not command.

@Matt_GNo27 posted:

I have modest conventional 6'x3' O-27 layout. Currently, I have one LionChief+ Locomotive and a number of conventional locomotives upgraded with ERR RailSounds.

I personally wouldn't recommend the Z750 controller with the PH180, but it will work as long as you don't overload it.  If you go this way, I'd recommend a 5-6 amp fast blowing fuse between the transformer and the Z750 controller to protect against overload.

Thank you all for the advice. While I already have a fire extinguisher next to my layout, I'm not interested in cleaning fire retardant off of my layout.

And GRJ is correct, I only have the ERR RailSounds boards and speakers installed, not the Cruise Commander.

If you don't see command control in your immediate future, the GW180 may be a good idea.  It's not much more expensive than the Z-750 controller and 180W Powerhouse combo,  and the company making it (Lionel) will likely still be in business after spring of next year.  We're less certain about MTH given Mike Wolf's announcement that they are going out of business (maybe) then.

Another possibility is to invest a bit more,  and get the 180W Powerhouse, the less expensive Powermaster and a cab-1L remote.  Gives you conventional and remote control, and intended use of one company's products.   This also would get you part of the way to future command control if you decide to go that way, and also give you remote control if you like.  Realize this may not be your intentions and if so, pretend I didn't suggest it .

I own Powerhouses, Powermasters (old one) and ZWs, 1033s and a new ZW-L and they all have their uses.  The ZW-L, while fabulously costly, is a thing of pseudo-postwar beauty to my eye.  Probably way more than you need now, but you look like you are a young guy from your photo.

@Landsteiner posted:

Another possibility is to invest a bit more,  and get the 180W Powerhouse, the less expensive Powermaster and a cab-1L remote.  Gives you conventional and remote control, and intended use of one company's products.   This also would get you part of the way to future command control if you decide to go that way, and also give you remote control if you like.  Realize this may not be your intentions and if so, pretend I didn't suggest it .

IMO, investing in the old TMCC Powermasters is a bad deal, if you're going that route, go with at least the CAB1L/BASE1L and the Legacy Powermaster.  In addition, the Legacy PowerMaster has much better speed control and has macro capability to run PS/1 and PS/2 locomotives in conventional mode and access many of the features you don't get with a simple transformer.

I agree with GRJ's comment above.  I didn't mean the out of production,  original TMCC Powermaster.   I was suggesting the Legacy Powermaster (the 180 Watt one).  http://www.lionel.com/products/legacy-powermaster-6-37146

As opposed to the 360 Watt, more expensive one shown below.  One needs a command base for either of these (unlike the original Powermaster, which responded directly to the cab-1), so you need both the Cab-1L or Cab-2 and the command base that corresponds to either of these two.  My apologies for not being more thorough. 

LNL82883 O 360-W Legacy PowerMaster