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My Z4000 throttle handles are a little loose, they aren't floppy or sloppy, just don't have the right smooth feel. A few months back, a noise developed when moving the handles, a type of rubbing noise. Just recently the left handle has no feel to it moving forward, the volts increase & it stays at the setting.  With the right handle, I'll set the volts to 18 & while the train is running, after a short period, the voltage meter will drop to 13/14 volts and the train slows down. I'll increase the volts back to 17/18 (amps will read between 3.5 to 6 with a double headed freight running) & everything seems to run fine. I'll stop the train & shut it down the volt meter jumps to 21 volts.

Any thoughts?

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unfortunately the z4000 transformer the potentiometer goes bad and causes erratic readings or voltage stop completely ,mth does not have new potentiometer at the moment they are. Trying to get a new vendor. But have had no success so far. Mth and 2 other asc techs are the only ones that mth will let them be repaired otherwise  you have to send yours in for repair, as far as the handle. There is a spring inside that keeps tension on the throttle lever so it won't drift. I would send it to mth as I don't believe any asc techs that repair them have the potentiomers to repair your transformer!

Last edited by Alan Mancus

Some of the behavior is normal.  Transformers are not load regulated.  So if you set the NO LOAD voltage to 20V on a Z-4000, then start up a few trains and load up amperage, Voltage naturally droops.  Set voltage to max and not worry about it if running MTH trains.  As Gene said, you can tighten up handle feel.  G

Alan Mancus posted:

unfortunately the z4000 transformer the potentiometer goes bad and causes erratic readings or voltage stop completely ,math does not have new potentiometer at the moment they are. Trying to get a new vendor. But have had no success so far. Math and 2 other asc techs are the only ones that math will let them be repaired otherwise  you have to send yours in for repair, as far as the handle. There is a spring inside that keeps tension on the throttle lever so it won't drift. I would send it to math as I don't believe any asc techs that repair them have the potentiomers to repair your transformer!

Time to turn off the auto-correct! 

Last edited by eddiem

Do I understand correctly, if I send the Z4000 to MTH, it can not be repaired at this time? It does function, but it's a little flaky.

So I'll ask again, is there any reason not to purchase the used MRC 270 Watt, from my local hobby shop at a fair price? I'm looking to keep my trains running when I do send my Z4000 back.

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  • MRC 270 Watt

Hi John,

So I guess you agree that 2 bricks are a good solution. I was thinking of getting the Lionel 6-32930 ZW Multi-Watt Transformer and 2-180 Watt Powerhouse Set to have the option to have the variable handles to lower the power when I run my Grandsons Lionchief engines with him. It keeps him from running at warp speed.

Do you have a source for the Molex connectors?

Thanks,

Joe

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