Z4000 overkill?

ChessieMD,

   No IMO you should keep the Z4K, purchase the side receiver and run most all your trains from it with the DCS hand held remote control.  Keep the big transformer, you never know what will happen in the future.

PCRR/Dave

If you sell it and at some point you need another it will be a net loss. If you will use it, keep it.

My Daddy always told me, get more engine then you'll need. That way even when you are reaching your limit the engine isn't and is less likely to break from being stressed.

I would think it would be the same with electricity more capacity I is better than less capacity just in case and it really doesn't take up that much more room, does it?

Plus I've been watching the OGR video on DCS and reading Barry's book. There is a way to connect the Z4K so you can run conventional engines with the Z4K through the remote. If I had one, I'd keep it.

To much power? No such thing.

Clem

Clem, you took the words right out of my mouth. Keep the Z4000.

ChessieMD,

I think you should sell it to your neighbor at a deep discount, you know, the guy who has all conventional engines?  I think his name is Rich "something-or-other"...

I noticed when we were at your house after Christmas you pretty much use the Z4000 as a power supply and you use the remote control to manage the speed of the trains and the sounds/etc.  The coolest part about the Z4000 are the levers/handles, giving you that "old time" feel for running your trains.  If you're not really using the handles maybe it's overkill?  It sure does look awesome though and I'm sure it will last you forever, besides, it's one less thing to mull over.  

Let me know what you plan on doing or if you want to ponder over the decision while having a tasty beverage or something.  Heck, if the weather keeps up like today we're due for a bike ride down the old B&A railroad trail.

Best...Rich

Keep it!  The Z4000 is excellent.  This is more than a transformer, it allows for running multiple power districts, it provides 10v and 14v accessory power.  The display is very helpful to know how much power you're putting to the rail and how much your train (or trains) are drawing,  I probably wouldn't ever have one of these but got mine from our electronic expert and forum member Dewey.  He guided me (newbie w/zero knowledge) through the design and build of our small but fun layout.  He suggested the Z4k, when Dewey said it was a good fit for the layout I knew it's a good investment.  I'm not a transformer specialist but can tell you this transformer looks tuff, this meatball has a lot of mite and what I LIKE BEST OF ALL IT SOUNDS AWESOME.  This is so much more than an accessory.  It looks mean and is one of those power supplies you want out in plain sight.  It really compliments our layout, when people see this piece it really stands out.  When I power the Z4k on it brings the layout to life.  For the price of a locomotive it's a bargain.  Yeah Yeah DCS is all about command control and power can be tucked away and all you need is a remote...  But something about this beauty that you want out in the open.  I would keep it even for a small layout.  I'll put some pictures of it in action.

Its a good unit to have, with the digital meters and breakers built in and all.  I'd keep it.  I used one for ages until I got a ZW-L, and I never ran more than three or four trains with it.

With the amount of money you will lose selling it, I would say absolutely keep it!!!you never know what you will need in the future and the Z4000 seems very versatile.

Liteguide that is some beautiful benchwork! Any chance you could email or post some more pics on the layout forum?

Jay in Ottawa

Keep it.  You just never know what might come up later down the road and you will be glad you kept it.

Being you already have it you might as well keep it, unless you truly believe you'll never need that kind of power and could use the money to fully pay for whatever you want to replace it with.

For me, knowing I would never run more than 1-2 trains at a time, I never needed or wanted one.

What truly bothers me about these huge cost items is the number of people trying to push newbies into spending that kind of money when all the newbie is trying to do is get his/her foot in the door by wanting to run a single train.

It's not about how much money you can spend (anybody can do that if the desire is there, whether the funds are there or not), it's what you really need that should be the priority.

I would certainly recommend keeping it.  A fine and powerful transformer.

My layout is not a large one, and up until several years ago I was controlling it with a couple of Z-1000s.  Finally invested in a Z-4000 and I have been fully satisfied with it.  I also make good use of the digital meters, which are easily visible from some distance, when evaluating how things are performing.

If running four trains at one time is in your future, you'll find a need for that Z-4000.

I would keep it, the bricks only have a 4 amp breaker on all the out put ,  the Z-4000s has 12 amp breaker on the handles & 4 amp on the 10 &14 volts out puts , I have 4 of them to run my layout.

Guy 

Hello guys and gals.........

KEEP it as you never know someday you might need it.  I have Z-4000 myself and using to run ONE Williams GP-9 and 2 cars on a tiny 4 by 6 foot unfinished layout (bit overkill ? sooooo-what) LOL.  My Z-4000 never gets warm !!!!

the woman who loves the S.F.5011,2678

Tiffany

As was posted above, I will confirm:

A lightly used power system will last much longer than one used near the limit.

And a Z4000 is a very nice Transformer.

Rather than take a loss I would keep it and run trains with it.

I wouldn't buy it for the layout in question, but if I already had it, I wouldn't run right out and sell it.

Really appreciate all the input. Right now I have decided to indeed keep the z4000. While a like the z1000 I do prefer the breaker performance and power of the z4000. I will definitely find a permanent home for this power on my layout. Thanks.