MTH Z4000 Transformer Issue

Sounds like it has a problem, that's not normal.  I'd call MTH and ask the question.

The last one like this I helped someone on, he had it plugged into an outlet controlled by a wall switch and had the wall switch off but with the overload light on, better do what John says!

I can't think of any "normal" operating condition that leaves the displays blank and the overload light on.  If after a power cycle the same issue remains, I'm guessing something has died.

Could another transformer on the line be back feeding the overload light?

Just guessing - don't have a Z4000

Ed

Ed, he stated he disconnected all the wiring and still had the issue.

Now that you mention it... yes he did!  
  

Thanks for the feedback guys. I talked to MTH service yesterday and they seem to think the circuit board is fried, maybe from some sort of power surge though none of the breakers were blown. Looks like I'll have to ship it to them for repairs unless I can find some in the area that can work on it.

I seem to remember in the past a Z4000 that the handle became un adjusted and would not alow it to turn to the complete off position. This would cause it not to start up and exhibit the situatiuon youm have. If it is under warrenty send it back to MTH

I hope this helps.

The blank display indicates it's more than the handle maladjusted.  The handle adjustment leaves the startup info on the displays.

Is it still under warranty?  Where in PA are you located?

The only thing the manual says about this is that the handles need to be turned off to reset the unit. I've tried that several times but maybe it is out of adjustment and not going all the way off. I'll work on that tonight. It's not under warranty anymore, it's a couple years old. I'm located in Pittsburgh, PA. From what MTH is saying it's going to be about a $200 bill all in for them to repair it.

Too bad you're not closer, I could take a look at it.  With the displays totally blank and the overload light on, you clearly have some sort of internal failure.

Hi All:

I too have a MTH Z4000 with problems. I am pretty bummed.. It is about 1 year, 5 months old. so out of warranty.. very, very little use. I have it in my home office for the rare occasion that I can work from home.. .and need some 'relaxation' running in the background. So my Z4000 has perhaps 150 hours on it, and that would be at very most. I feed it into a MTH DCS system. Note... when not in use I have it unplugged from the wall... just in case any power spikes.

Symptom;  Went to use it last month... Throttles all the way off. Turn on power switch. Red overload light flashes... then turns off. Left throttle displays zero volts and zero amps. Moving left throttle does not chg the indication... confirmed with voltmeter that no voltage is coming out the left side. For now i switched the layout over to the until now unused right side of  the MTH 4000 power outputs and throttle.

Again... Really bummed. Spent a lot of $$$ on this transformer... and now not working and just out of warrantee coverage.   Note... not to bad mouth MTH.. but... I recently picked up the hobby (about 3 years ago) and have bought about 7 MTH locos and related rolling stock for my 'office relaxation' (better for my health than tranqilizer pills to remove work stress while working  ).  Anyway... two of the MTH locos stopped working, again.. my luck... just a couple months out of warrantee (one was just 16 days past the 1 year warrantee peiod). I called MTH service and they were zero, and I mean zero help.. other than to say 'send it back and we will look at it and bill you for it'. I am glad I bought about 1/2 my gear from Charles Ro Supply (just outside of Boston). As a vendor they seem at 1st a rather 'salty lot' to buy stuff from (just their personality... or at least the vibes some of the staff give off.. not Chales Sr or Jr, but the other staff) but they came to bat for me when MTH would not honor the issue... Ro fixed both my MTH engines in-house for me for at no charge (and only one of engines I had bought from them). And that my friends is reason 1288 to support your local hobby store. Unfort, I bought the Z4000 on-line and they (will not name names) are telling me I am on my own... take it up with MTH on the transformer.

Last.. with all the good reviews I had read about the Z4000 before I spent the long dollar on one.. I am glad to see some of the truth of this unit coming out. They are not as bullet proof as the on-line reviews suggest they are. Based on this experience, especially if this is going to cost me $250 or more (repair bill + 2 way shipping on this heavy cement block), I wouild not recommend a Z4000 purchase to anyone. If MTH stood a little more behind their products... maybe take the risk.. but so far MTH (the company) has not treated me as I would wishe to be treated on support issues.

BTW.. I mentioned I am relatively new to the hobby. I had started out on HO, but quickly went to O scale. In the HO area, by comparison, I bought a whole bunch of Bauchmann (spelling) locos and rolling stock. Plus thier Dynamis DCC system. I had some growing pains.. but talk about night and day. Their customer support and warrantee support was top notch. What a 180 degree reversal / down-er MTH has been in comparison to Bachmann.

Thanks !

Jim

Note.. .Just thought through this again.. how frequently I use the layout... My estimate of 150 hrs on the Z4000 is way off... It is more like 75 hrs at most. At almost $500 for these units.. I would expect it to last a lifetime, not less than 100 hrs.  Ohh.. and sorry for all the typos on my orig post above

Thanks again;

Jim

Find a local MTH tech, that will save the shipping back to MTH.

BTW, you do know that you can edit your original post, right?