MTH Z4000 trouble

Your multi-meter measurements are to be expected with no load.  In other words, the multi-meter showing 13.6 volts corresponds closely to the panel meter on the Z4000.  The Amps indicator will also read zero with no load (other than a digital meter) connected to the transformer because without a load, very little current will flow.  If the voltage reading on either meter drops significantly when there is a load on the transformer then, that would indicate an issue with the transformer.

When you say that your Z4000 is not working at all, could you elaborate what that means in terms of running a train?

What are the voltage and current readings when the Z1000 is connected to a test track independent of your main layout when you have an electrical load like a locomotive on the track?

Mike,

The first 2 numbers are the month and the 3rd and 4th are the year in the serial number.

I see one breaker is 4 amp, the other is 12 amp. I would guess that the 4 amp is for accessories and the 12 is for the track. It seems odd that the 4 would trip in a derailment. As @Steve H says, what exactly happens with a train on the track?

Use a lighted lock on or accessory on your test track.  Does the bulb light and vary in intensity with voltage change?  By the way you are measuring voltage not watts.  Watts is Volt times Amps with a power factor for AC.   You need a load on the transformer to see if it is working, so put an engine on the test track.

Your overload could have damaged wiring or something other on your layout which prevented the layout from working, and the Z may be ok once you reset the breaker.  G

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the replies... GGG- thanks for the correction. I meant to say "volts" and I typed "watts."

  I thought about damaged wiring on my layout, so I disconnected the transformer from the layout and connected two pieces of Fast Track to the transformer as a test bench. Once energized by the Z, the fast track was producing the 13.6 volts, which corresponded to the panel on the Z-4000.

  Once energized, I placed a lighted caboose on the test track. It lit exactly once and then as soon as I rolled it on the fast track, it stopped- lights went dark. When I placed a locomotive on the test track, "nothing" happened, even though the Multimeter was showing 13.6 volts being produced by the transformer.

  The instruction manual for the Z does not give guidance as to the circuit breakers. Dumb question and it is hard to see in the picture that I attached, but are the circuit breakers open on the side of the Z? The 4-amp breakers on both sides of the transformer were showing "white", until I pressed the rocker switch to reset them. I can not find a way to "reverse" the switch, so I presume they popped when I had the overload.

  I am going to try to tinker with it again today. Thanks again everyone...

-Mike

when they trip you have to push them back in to reset!

Alan

The Z4000 has built-in overload protection, indicated by the red light on the left side of the case.  The external circuit breakers are to protect the internal components of the transformer if it has a internal fault with the control or power board.  It needs to be sent to an ASC.

Both channels respond the same way?  G

Hi GGG- yes... Both channels are responding the same way.

I am going to contact MTH to see if they can service it or recommend it. It is going to cost a fortune to ship it, but unfortunately, the closest service techs to here are in either Kansas City or Dallas.

Thanks to all. I will keep the group posted..

-Mike

If you can get to the back of the track circuit breaker, you might try taking it out of the circuit (or put a shunt across it), for a test on loco on your test track.  A supervised test should not hurt anything.  If the CB is the problem, you have a cheap fix.

Charlie

MTH does not have a service department.  Don or Jon might do this privately.  Don did most of the work on them.  The issue is parts if it needs a board.  G