Phasing a kW to z1000 transformers

So...

I started to write a simple 'It shouldn't matter' answer here, then stopped to double check as I have a z1k sitting on the table right now from another experiment.  

Turns out the red post on the controller is connected to the common of the brick, and is the side that varies.  The black post is NOT directly connected to the hot side, but is workable as a common reference for phasing.  

I'm unsure if there is some practical reason the controller would reverse the polarity, but because it does, the answer to your question will be to phase with black post of the Z-controller to the U post of the KW.  Then DO NOT use the accessory post of the z1000 brick, as it will be out of phase.  

I'm starting to wonder if there is something wrong with my Z1k/controller, maybe I got one that was messed up?  I can't see any reason people would recommend it over the CW-80 as it appears to suffer from worse design problems than the first generation of cw80.  

JGL

I have a Z500 that  I wanted to phase with my PW ZWs and Z4000.  SO all blacks would be common, I went into the controller and reversed the wires on the INPUT jack to which the brick connects.

JLG,

   2 big reasons to run the Z1K rather than the CW-80, one the Z1k is DCS compatible and not one of them has ever started a fire while being used, that we know of.  

PCRR/Dave

Dave, actually, news doesn't usually carry news of house fires unless there are deaths, and doesn't follow up when a cause is ascertained.  Except maybe in South Podunk where nothing has happened since Aunt Susie's cat scratched the town constable 2 years ago.

Is the CW80 not DCS compatible?  I was under the impression that it was only PS1 locomotives that had issues with a chopped waveform?  As for starting a fire, if you'r following in the other thread on 10-amp breakers, you'll note that the Z1k will start fires just fine right out of the box.  the CW will only do so, I expect, with some kind of catastrophic failure.  I expect there is one of everything that suffers a catastrophic failure, it doesn't mean the design is bad.  On the other hand, a 50 amp unfused path seems like really poor design to me.  if you are worried about fires, a z1k is not a better choice than a CW.  

JGL

JGL,

    There is a list of Transformers MTH has developed for the DCS, you will note that the CW-80 is not on that approved list.  Never saw a Z1K have any real problems yet, I did have a CW-80 on fire right on my power station set up one Christmas, many years ago, IMO they are junk.  Although I do have to admit the Z1k is a might small, IMO for best over all results, use the old KW as your minimal transformer.  

PCRR/Dave 

I run a CW80 on my small DCS layout with no problem. What exactly is the reason it's not compatible?

MarkLX200,

    People do run as you are with the CW-80 power supply, until they start having problems, then they usually upgrade Transformers.  The CW-80 does not match up well with the DCS, I never looked into the exact engineering reason, I am sure somebody like Guns or George (GGG) can probably give you the exact engineering reasons however, I mean beside getting an older one, than might catch on fire.  

PCRR/Dave

 I would phase the brick just in case I needed it for TMCC or DCS without the controller. I'm wondering if that would also automatically put the controller in phase?.

I managed to properly phase my kW s to the z1000 controllers. JGL posted that I should not use the aux port on the Zks. As they are out of phase. May I use these for something that is not connected in any way to the track such as street lights or any free standing accessory. Thanks Tstark