This morning I received my second MTH Z-controller transformer via UPS and I am trying to figure out how I can wire both of them to both my Ross/Gargraves loops on my layout. Is there any way to do so?
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mpeck161 posted:This morning I received my second MTH Z-controller transformer via UPS and I am trying to figure out how I can wire both of them to both my Ross/Gargraves loops on my layout. Is there any way to do so?
First of all, you will need an MTH brick to power the controller. The controller can't function on its own, it just controls the voltage going to the track, direction control and horn/bell control. It plugs into the barrel jack outlet on the back of the controller. Next to the barrel jack outlet, there are two other ports for hot/center rail (red) and common/outside rail (black).
Hook a wire from the red port on the controller to the center rail on the track. Again on the black port, connect a wire from the black (common) port on the controller to the outer rail on the track. You should then be good to go.
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My Z-1000 did not ship with the power brick that comes with it. Does anybody know if I can use any other type of MTH powerbrick besides a Z-1000 type?
You can input power from any transformer that can produce 18-volts sine wave, but be sure to put a good 4-amp breaker in the line. Or you can try to buy the bricks. Why anyone would buy a controller without the power brick is beyond me.
A warning: be sure to properly phase the outputs, or you'll have dead shorts.
RJR wrote:
Why anyone would buy a controller without the power brick is beyond me.
With an April 2016 forum join date, it is very likely the OP, didn't know to verify that a brick was included with the Z-Controller. We all had to learn these things as our experience grew in the hobby. Heck, when I was still new to O 3 rail, I bought a K-Line boxcar off ebay, that when it showed up was S Scale, I didn't know at that time, K-Line also produced S scale equipment. I double checked the listing, my fault, so I kept the car, and learned a relatively cheap lesson, and haven't made that mistake again.
As to buying a controller without a brick, could be several reasons. I have had a Z-controller fail, but the brick is still good, someone may have gotten a great deal on a separate brick and needs a controller.
Doug
mpeck161 posted:My Z-1000 did not ship with the power brick that comes with it. Does anybody know if I can use any other type of MTH powerbrick besides a Z-1000 type?
If the Z-controller is marked Z-1000, any of the MTH bricks should be fine. Check the amp input rating on the Z-controller, and compare it to the amp rating on the brick, do not exceed the rating on the controller.
I don't think that they have been produced in many years, but I HAVE seen, Z-controllers that had an amp rating lower than the Z-1000. I suspect that these came with sets that had either a 500, or 750 watt brick. To the best of my knowledge all recent/current production Z-controllers are rated for 1000watts.
Doug
Question, I do not have the proper lock on to connect my two z1000's to my Gargraves. Do you have to take off the two adapter cables that usually connect to the lock on in order to solder the wires to my Gargraves track?
