Probably a nube question discussed ad-nauseum...but...Are these transformers compatible on a conventional layout where blocks are isolated and all transformers are in-phase?
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I am not sure if all the transformers you want to add together will work correctly.
Break down and buy another ZW or MRC transformer and use 2 of a similar style transformer together would be best in my opinion.
The post war ZW and the MTH Z-1000 have a different outputs as one of my engines likes the post war ZW and hates the MTH Z-1000.
Lee Fritz
Wonder if GGG, Gunrunner John, or any of the other masters of trains have any input on this? Wondering about the sine wave issue...and compatibility of it...
Gibson Man,
Forget the small Z-250, Z-750 & Z-1000, pick up a Z4K they mix will with the old ZW's & KW's especially for running DCS & Legacy, I use them all the time. The larger Dual MRC will mix with them also.
PCRR/Dave
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I'm unfamiliar with the MRC transformer, but a quick internet search shows this to be a chopped wave transformer. The Z-Controller also provides a chopped wave, no matter what brick is used with it. The ZW provides a real, pure, sine wave of varying voltage.
If this is for command control, turn all the throttles all the way up on the chopped transformers, and set the ZW to match their voltage as close as possible. At full throttle a chopped wave transformer outputs a nearly proper sine wave. Close enough as not to matter.
For conventional, things get a little more complex...
It is not likely to be an issue for the short amounts of time where a train is crossing from one block to another with rollers bridging the two blocks. However, each block should be set to about the same voltage when a train passed between them. I would use a circuit breaker on both the common and hot sides of each transformer just to be sure you have any shorts covered.
The issue arrises because of how chopped waves work, in essence, they apply full power to the track, but turn on and off really fast. This means that to match voltage to them a pure wave transformer has to be set to full power so as not to cause a short. Over the amount of time that it takes for a train to pass from one block to another, it won't be a big deal, but still not the best idea to mix chopped and pure wave transformers for powering blocks that connect to each other.
The best answer I can give is that if you use circuit breakers on the hot side of all your transformers, and you match voltage as close as practical when trains move between blocks, you should be fine, but scientifically speaking you should not use both chopped and pure sine transformers on blocks that can have any contact with each other, as the only time their voltage is truly matched is at full throttle.
As a note, almost all engines will run fine on chopped wave transformers, the only exceptions I am aware of being some with QSI and early ProtoSound electronics, ex early to mid 1990's vintage.
JGL
