Z-4000 Circuit Stopped Working

Could be that the breaker is bad. Might try resetting the circuit breaker again and see what happens. I had a breaker in my breaker box that wouldn't reset after it had tripped. Had to replace it.

feet posted:

Might try resetting the circuit breaker again and see what happens.

I have never had to deal with the Z4000 circuit breaker before.  Probably a lame question, but how does one reset the breaker on the Z4000?   

It should work like an on&off switch. You push it in one direction to shut it off and the other direction to reset it.

Tom J,

    You did not say if you were using a DCS or Legacy System or not.  If so check them, I have not seen a Z4K breaker go bad yet, I have 3 on my layouts and have never had a problem.  If the breakers will not reset, unplug the Transformer wait 30 seconds and before plugging your transformer back in, reset your Z4K breaker. If it will not reset you probably have a bad breaker.

PCRR/Dave

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Tom J,

    You did not say if you were using a DCS or Legacy System or not.  If so check them, I have not seen a Z4K breaker go bad yet, I have 3 on my layouts and have never had a problem.  If the breakers will not reset, unplug the Transformer wait 30 seconds and before plugging your transformer back in, reset your Z4K breaker. If it will not reset you probably have a bad breaker.

PCRR/Dave

Dave - I am using a DCS.  I could be wrong, but I believe there are two sets of breakers in the Z4000.  One is associated with the red light which I believe is (was) working fine.  It went to red when the derailment occurred.  

The other breaker is located on the lower right side of the transformer.  There are two of them, one for each handle (I presume).  What I am not clear about is how are these circuit breakers reset.  Originally, i thought they were rocker switches, but I wasn't able to get either of them to move.  Now I am thinking (maybe incorrectly) that when they are tripped they pop out.  Any clarification will be greatly appreciated.

thanks, Tom

Tom,

Now I am thinking (maybe incorrectly) that when they are tripped they pop out.  

That's correct. If they have not tripped, you cannot move them to the tripped position.

There are 4 breakers 2 on each side. They are labeled 4 amp and 12 amp. 12 amp on the bottom.

They control the left side variable and fixed. Right side variable and fixed.

At the jack on the non-working side check if you have power there. If the answer is yes,go down the line and check the 20 amp DCS fuse. If the answer is no,have the transformer serviced.

F&G RY posted:

There are 4 breakers 2 on each side. They are labeled 4 amp and 12 amp. 12 amp on the bottom.

They control the left side variable and fixed. Right side variable and fixed.

At the jack on the non-working side check if you have power there. If the answer is yes,go down the line and check the 20 amp DCS fuse. If the answer is no,have the transformer serviced.

Thanks Jim.  Overlooked the breakers on the right side.  Regrettably, neither are tripped and there is no power coming out of the transformer on the right variable side.   

Barry Broskowitz posted:

 

That's correct. If they have not tripped, you cannot move them to the tripped position.

Thanks Barry for your reply.  Tom

Time to send it back. 

Even if you knew how to fix it MTH will not sell you the parts. I know from experience.

Sorry i gave you the wrong answer Tom. I didn't know they popped out when tripped. It doesn't tell you in the MTH manual for this transformer how to reset them. I have one from 1998 that is brand new in the box but can't find it as the wife has put it some where and she doesn't remember where she put it.