More Info Needed of Z4K Tracks

Where do the PS-2 engines go when you're running a PS-1 engine in ZK4? Do you park them in powered-down sidings?

You can put them wherever you wish. As long as you don't start them up, they'll see the watchdog signal and will be in DCS mode, dark and silent. They won't do anything until you tell them to do something.

Can Z4K work over the entire layout? This question is very important to me since I have 17 engines of which 3 are PS-2, 2 are TMCC, and the rest PS-1/QS-1

Yes, it can. All a Z4K Track does is vary the Z4000's voltage before it enters the TIU's channel input.

This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!

Thanks Barry! I did download the book which is how I found out about Z4k in the first place. So... what you're saying is that you don't wire the transformer through the variable channels, you use the fixed channels which are now varied at the transformer? And the output to the tracks is through the fixed outputs too, but are now varied via software? That means you do not use the variable output TIU  channels at all unless to drive accessories? Am I correct here?

Trainman2001,

You must have a MTH Z-4000 transformer with a remote receiver to use the Z4K tracks. You don't even have to have a TIU to use the Z4K tracks as the remote varies the voltage directly with the transformer.It works the same as if you where operating the throttle handle on the transformer, but remotely.

When running through the TIU variable channels, you set them to FIXED.

I have both items. I'm not sure I understand your last comment. If I get it right, the Z4K takes over the fixed output channel and instead of a steady 22 volts, it modulates the voltage through the Z4000. In other words the fixed channels behave just like the variable ones do, but you don't need dedicated tracks. Is that correct?

Trainman, if anyone tells you you need separate conventional & DCS loops, they don't know what they're talking about.  My layout runs either at any time, at any place, with no changes.

I have both items. I'm not sure I understand your last comment. If I get it right, the Z4K takes over the fixed output channel and instead of a steady 22 volts, it modulates the voltage through the Z4000. In other words the fixed channels behave just like the variable ones do, but you don't need dedicated tracks. Is that correct?

The fixed channels and the var channels set to fixed are a straight through connections. What ever voltage goes  in the input comes out the out put. The receiver and Z-4000 do all the work, It's as if the tiu is not present.

When running through the TIU variable channels, you set them to FIXED.

Trainman,

You set the variable channels to FIXED so they act just like the fixed channels so the voltage passes through.

If I get it right, the Z4K takes over the fixed output channel and instead of a steady 22 volts, it modulates the voltage through the Z4000. In other words the fixed channels behave just like the variable ones do

Correct.

... but you don't need dedicated tracks.

There are no "dedicated" tracks. There are just tracks connected to TIU channels.

A Z4K Track consists of all of the tracks that are connected to a TIU channel that's controlled by a Z4K receiver.

A TIU Track consists of all of the tracks that are connected to a TIU Variable channel that's set to Variable Mode.

So... how difficult is it to switch back and forth between DCS and Z4K control? You can also run all the PS-2 engines running conventionally under Z4k control I am assuming. The ability to convert the layout to conventional control via Z4k makes me very happy since most of the engines would be run that way, and the ability to run new engines under digital control everywhere just by making a software command is also very good.

Trainman:  The only difference is that you run conventional using the TR button on the remote to control track voltage, and the ENG button to control DCS locos.  In fact, with some dexterity you can run both on the same track at the same time.  Have the conventional train heavier than the DCS, since you can slow down the latter without affecting the former.

By the way, my layout, built in 1991 era, has a 12-gauge common buss looping all around the layout for the ground, and all hot is fed through the control panel where there is a SPST toggle switch for each of the 70+ blocks.