One TIU 2Z4000's

I have a similar setup to yours, only I have no Z4000s and I am not at all familiar with them. I currently have only 2 main lines and one TIU powered which is powered from the Aux port by a Z500. I am using the TIU's 2 Fixed channels, each powered separately by a Lionel PH-180 brick. My plan is to add on to my layout with 2 more PH-180s, 1 on each Variable channel that will both be set to fixed. I operate command control only, no conventional.

I think you will have basically the same thing, but substituting a Z4000 handle where I have a PH-180. I don't see anything wrong with that and I think you will be just fine and it should work well. I think the Z4000 handles will have to be manually powered up each time you turn on the system, but as I said I am not that familiar with the Z4000s so I don't know for certain how this is done?

Purchasing Barry's book will explain a lot and I think you will have a much better understanding about all this with his book. It's well worth the money and then some. I believe he even touches on the Z4000s in the book as well, if I remember correctly. I believe he explains powering the Z4000s on start up as well. You will definitely want to use the Aux port to power the TIU since you are using more than one channel. You can run quite a bit from one TIU, depending on how you want things setup. Barry's book goes into that as well.

Thanks rtr12. I do not want to do anything till I know for sure how to do it. I was going to wait till Monday to order the book from OGR but maybe I'll do it after dinner..............Paul

One Z4000 handle per input.  Unless you have Z4000 receivers, after powering up layout, you'll have to move each handle to desired voltage.  Having both Z4000 and 180 watt powerhouse, I prefer the latter.  I actually am driving 2 tiu channels with one PH, which wouls rarely have more than one loco moving at a time on each (2 yards).

I have each Z4000 handles and each ZW handle driving the other 4 channels.  The Z4000 will often have 6 locos moving at once.

You should have no problem connecting one Z4000 handle to each TIU input and then connecting the TIU outputs to the track. The only unknown I had was the start up of the Z4000s and RJR has clarified that above about setting the handles on start up.

Also as RJR pointed out, if you only run one or two trains per main you could possibly get by with one Z4000 handle feeding two TIU channels. I could probably do the same as RJR has with my PH-180s when I expand and just power two channels with each one that I now have. I don't have any trains that use over an amp or two. 

If you have a lot of lighted passenger cars (non-LED) this could hinder your use of only one Z4000 handle for two TIU channels.

I still recommend the book though.

I run two Z4K transformers through one TIU.  No issues.