There is this MTH NYC Hudson with PS-2 which has been working very well on a Z-1000 but suddenly only goes forward. Less than two total hours on unit. No neutral? No reverse? Is this a symptom of some kind of sequencing steps needed or a board problem? Thanks.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
PS-2 can be locked in a direction. Read the manual it explains how to do a conventional reset with the bell and whistle button and or unlock procedure. Same with DCS and a feature or factory reset. G
Hello G3!
I've been meaning to ask the following and thought these posts were a perfect time to ask.
How can a conventional reset be done using a postwar transformer like a Lionel ZW? Or may be a better question is....can a conventional reset be done using a PW ZW?
I seem to think the PW ZWs (and any other PW transformers for that matter) don't have the ability to supply the Whistle and Bell signals the MTH engine requires. Am I wrong in thinking this is the case?
I know Lionel used to offer an electrical "go between" pushbutton that you connected between the transformer and the track to trigger a whistle (or bell?). But even that may not be enough to trigger a MTH engine reset via conventional mode.
Even with a added Lionel 5906 bell button it's pretty tough to do using a post war ZW...Possible but it would take quite a few attempts,
Doesn't your Z-1000 work??
I'm embarrassed to say.....I don't have any "Z-" transformers. Guess I'll need to pick one up......
The MTH "Z-" products are a combo of a fixed-voltage AC brick and a Z-controller (which has the throttle, Whistle, Bell, Direction buttons). You can buy just the Z-controller and use your ZW to provide the AC.
If you are patient you can find a good deal on just the Z-controller (from someone breaking up a brick-controller combo) on the Buy-Sell forum or even on eBay.
Thank you for the help. Does the Z controller have a quick enough fuse to protect the boards if a short occures?
When using a PW 275 ZW can I attach a Z controller to each circuit? How many Z controllers can a ZW handle?
Ahhh...G3....you are ALWAYS such a great wealth of information.....what would we ever do without ya!? We can never give you enough Thanks!
Tom Tee posted:Thank you for the help. Does the Z controller have a quick enough fuse to protect the boards if a short occures?
When using a PW 275 ZW can I attach a Z controller to each circuit? How many Z controllers can a ZW handle?
Good point. I was fixated on the spectre of buying or building a widget that sits between the ZW and the track to insert the magic bell and whistle voltages. The Z bricks have the breaker and per MTH instructions the Z-controller should be used with its mating brick. So while in principle a ZW could power multiple Z-controllers, the protection would not be compatible. Sorry to have sent you on a snipe hunt. 
Maybe this will help...
Tom
What if the engine is in the forward only setting, how does one achieve neutral?
Hmm, try the last suggestion in the "locking locomotive in direction" ..one horn and three bells. Make sure the batteries in the tender are charged too...
You are welcome. For moving in forward just have voltage low so it moves slowly and do the unlock procedure. G
GGG, sounds logical for needed line input. I will try shortly. Thanks to all for your help.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
