Z4K Track information please

Mike, we have the Remote Commander Receiver. Are you using that? Wired +/- from the Z-4000 into the TIU input, then +/- output to a terminal strip, then pairs to the tracks.  Assigned left handle one track and right handle the other. Breaker trips instantly this way, or you can raise the handles manually if running in command. Only using TIU fixed.

Mike, I am not tech savy. What do you mean.................Paul

Hi Bobby, I am just in the beginning stage of wiring my layout. I have the  Remote Commander Receiver plugged into the back of the Z4000. My question is do you just wire the fixed channels on the TIU, that's what I am kind of getting reading the DCS Companion.

Paul, if you use a side receiver with the Z4000, you are spose to be able to run command and conventional with the DCS remote. Since I have both DCS and conventional engines I want to set my track up to run both right off the bat! They are called Z4K tracks!

If your interested in it its on page 98 of the DCS companion!

Mike, on my attic layout I have two Z4000's. Each is hooked up to a TIU. I feed each handle through the fixed voltage of the TIU's. Two handles through each TIU. I have Legacy hooked up through the common ground. I have four mainlines and each is controled by a handle and each loop is separate. As I have it set up I can run conventional, DCS, TMCC and Legacy.............Paul

Sorry Mike I jumped the gun. Just read your last post. I don't run conventional through the DCS......Paul

Mike, I am a neophyte on the issue too.  I have the Remote Commander Receiver, and tried it out once per the DCS Companion.  I used the same wiring as I had on the DCS layout, fixed channel 1.  That was on my Christmas layout, which is just 2 independent loops.  Since then I moved the Z400 and TIU downstairs to the train room, and haven't tried it again.

Long story short, it worked as you stated you have it, and now it has been months since I have tried it.

mike g. posted:

Hi Bobby, I am just in the beginning stage of wiring my layout. I have the  Remote Commander Receiver plugged into the back of the Z4000. My question is do you just wire the fixed channels on the TIU, that's what I am kind of getting reading the DCS Companion.

That's what I have Mike, the four wires from the Z4000 into the 2 TIU Fixed channels input. Left handle into Fixed 1 and Right Handle into Fixed 2.

Then the corresponding output wires (Fixed1=Left+/Left- and Fixed2=Right+/Right-) are run individually to 4 terminal strips and from there we make up the pairs for each track block. Left/Fixed1 controls the inner loop and Right/Fixed2 controls the outer loop.

Thanks Guys! Sounds like I go from the Z4000, to the fixed channels on the TIU! Easy enough, Bobby, are your tracks setup as Z4K tracks all the time? I am just trying to make it easy for me ! LOL

They are Mike. Sometimes I'll just raise the handles to a certain voltage rather than using the remote when running some equipment as the Z4000 breaker is not as sensitive.

Thanks Bobby, now I can go out and finish wiring up my power cart!

Great Mike! Barry and his book was a big help too.

I agree Bobby, That is one of the ways I learned about the side receiver along with Dave AKA Pine Creek Railroad!

You guys are all way ahead of me here, I don't have a Z-4000 or the Z4K remote device.

I bought them during the 2 years I had extra money!  Now, I have less coming in that for a good while earlier.  Using my stockpile!  

RTR, there still time to get one before the stop making them! LOL

I thought they had already stopped making them? However, I don't think it's such a good idea to stop making them. Probably still folks needing them out there somewhere. 

But I'm good here, I have PH-180s for power and I have no conventional stuff, command only so I don't need variable power to the tracks. If the need ever arises I still have the 2 variable channels on my TIU.

They may have stopped making them, I bought mine from a forum member! But I did also find them on the Bay!