Loss of Z-4000 Throttle Control

philg,

   It sounds like you are simply tripping your Z4K Breaker, put a bank of 10 Amp Scott Breakers in front of your Z4K so you pop an individaul track Breaker,  instead of the all the different tracks, you are controlling with one lever of your Z4K. 

PCRR/Dave

Your commons are fine.

Are the tracks connected together or independent? If they are connected with switches or cross overs you would need insulating pins to isolate the center rails.

The use of a remote should not matter.

Use a lighted car and find out what is powered by each throttle.

Thanks for your replies.  Dave, the breaker is not tripping.  Jim, each of three throttles controls a separate block.  The fourth throttle controls a storage yard, each track being a block, and they are wired through toggle switches.  The typical problem occurs between tracks 1 and 2 on Z-4000 #1. An example of the problem: The track 2 throttle is off (no voltage); voltage is increased on the track 1 throttle, and the result is that both the track 1 and track 2 meters show a simultaneous increase in voltage, and the trains on those tracks respond accordingly.  It is as if both throttles are wired together.

There are multiple feeds to each of these tracks, but each track is a block. Should each feed be a separate block?

Phil

It sounds like somehow the 2 throttle taps are being connected. Is it possible the pickup rollers bridge 2 blocks on different taps?

Dale H

I would disconnect the hot wire from the Z4000 on one of the 2 blocks and see if the trains respond on both blocks. If they do you have something cross wired or one of your insulating pins is not working. If only one train responds then there is a problem inside the Z4000. My guess you have one of the drops from block 1 wired to the main from block 2.

Ron

The above 2 posts are correct somehow throttle 1 and 2 are jumper-ed together.

I tried jumpering throttles 1 and 2 on a z-4000. With 2 off and adding power too 1

both volt meters move.

Could be a throttle 1 feed wire on a throttle 2 block. Make the problem happen. Disconnect throttle 2 hot wire at the transformer (important). Place a lighted car on throttle 2 block. Disconnect the throttle 1 feeds one at a time and reconnect. Hopefully, one of these wires is connected to throttle 2 and the problem will be solved.

Note. It is dangerous to the Z-4000 to connect both Z-4000 throttles together. Right now it looks like this is what you have.

For conventional you do not need each feed to be a separate block.  

Dale, Ron, and Jim - thanks for the replies.  I suspect you are all correct. I'll start troubleshooting tomorrow on the premise that there's a feed that is cross wired to the wrong block.  Thanks for the suggestions, I'll let you know how it turns out.

Phil

philg,

   If your breaker is not popping Jim is correct, and you need to do further testing,

your Z4K may have a big problem, be careful.

PCRR/Dave