I recently bought a remote commander on the buy-sell forum and tried to use it off track power on a PS-2 3 volt Hudson. Not a good experience! At one point I thought I ruined everything. I could make it start and stop and lost all the sound before I gave up. I use an MRC pure Power Dual. Are there issues with that transformer that could cause problems? Should I try my KW?
John
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I assume you are referring to the Z4000 Remote Commander (www.mthtrains.com/content/40-4001) and not the DCS Remote Commander that comes with new MTH starter sets. If so, I believe the Z4000 Remote Commander is designed for use with the Z4000 transformer.
The one I have is the one that comes with the starter sets. http://www.mthtrains.com/content/50-1033
Did it come with the instruction manual? If, not you can see one using the product locator.
Since the receiver uses a barrel jack power connector, how did you hook up power using a non MTH power supply?
Are you using it in the passive mode? If so, you would still need a power supply for the receiver.
Check your engine manual for transformer compatibility.
If the DCS Remote Commander is used in a "passive" mode it receives it's power from being connected to the track as opposed to being placed between your power source and the track. I use mine in a passive mode all the time so I can move it to the Grandson's Thomas layout when he wants to use a few of Grampa's toys. 
Mike,
Since the receiver uses a barrel jack power connector, how did you hook up power using a non MTH power supply?
He didn't...
and tried to use it off track power
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