Hi Jeremy, This video is an excellent demonstration of what I think is the best reason to get a Z4000 transformer if you are running early Protosound equipment. Trying to program using a conventional transformer is a real test of patience! Great video!!
Thanks Brad, you have to have quite a few proto1 engines to justify a Z4000 lol. They are really holding their value. I just wanted one for the extra power (maniacal laughter)
Hi Jeremy, I've been looking for a reasonably priced Z-4000 located close enough for an in-person purchase for 9 months now and finally found one! It tested out fine, looks to be very lightly used and came with the original box and packing foam. I'm excited at the prospects of easy Proto-Sound 1 programing - and also having a modern transformer. All this thanks to your video. Thanks again!
Hi Jeremy... I would have fallen off my bench if I heard that noise and saw the flashing. 😄 I'm strictly conventional. Four loops...four transformers. MTH Z1000's I thought about purchasing a Z-4000 to avoid bus wiring on my 16' x 8' layout. Would a more powerful transformer do the trick ? I believe the Z-4000 is capable of handling two loops ? Thanks
As you know I am really happy with the performance of my z-500 transformer. But I have learned that the Z-4000 has a "cleaner" power output and helps locomotives with electronics to operate a bit better. Plus it provides lots of power and has handy dandy meters on it. I would save up for a Z-4000 in your situation. But only if I was looking for a performance increase. Do you think your Z-1000 are over worked? Do any of your locomotives with electronics experience glitches? The Z-4000 is still holding it's value. Keep an eye on auctions and other ads and you might get a good deal.
@@TooManyHobbiesJeremy No..not over worked and no electronic glitches at all. Just a slight decrease of power as they roll on the opposite side of the loops. Oddly enough, the engines have a slight burst of power when the horn button is held down. Thanks for your reply. 👍
@@TooManyHobbiesJeremy How about a second set of wires from the original transformer to a second terminal track on the other side ? I use Atlas track. Meaning I would double up ? I've never needed feeder lines before due to smaller loops. Thanks
Nothing wrong with your plan. I would jumper the second terminal track to the first. This should fix the locomotive slowing down when it's furthest from the transformer. Of course you don't have to do anything.
The Z4000 is quite the transformer Jeremy. The Right of Way is also 400 watt but it’s a lot less complicated to use I think. Does it kind of remind you of a music mixing board the ROW?
I would not get one just for the programming feature. If you will ever be expanding your layout or like me - love to run lots of lighted cars - then get one. I like not having to worry about having enough power output. I view it as an investment in my hobby.
@@TooManyHobbiesJeremy Those passengers cars with incandescents do draw a lot of amps. I did some old school blocking, and I stuck cheap transformers on a couple blocks just to keep from overloading my powermaster/Lionel brick. I can multiple passenger trains at the same time, but it just takes a little fussing to make sure it doesn't break the fuse.
Hi Jeremy, This video is an excellent demonstration of what I think is the best reason to get a Z4000 transformer if you are running early Protosound equipment. Trying to program using a conventional transformer is a real test of patience! Great video!!
Thanks Brad, you have to have quite a few proto1 engines to justify a Z4000 lol. They are really holding their value. I just wanted one for the extra power (maniacal laughter)
Hi Jeremy, I've been looking for a reasonably priced Z-4000 located close enough for an in-person purchase for 9 months now and finally found one! It tested out fine, looks to be very lightly used and came with the original box and packing foam. I'm excited at the prospects of easy Proto-Sound 1 programing - and also having a modern transformer. All this thanks to your video. Thanks again!
Excellent find Brad! I'm excited for you 😁
Hi Jeremy...
I would have fallen off my bench if I heard that noise and saw the flashing. 😄
I'm strictly conventional. Four loops...four transformers. MTH Z1000's I thought about purchasing a Z-4000 to avoid bus wiring on my 16' x 8' layout. Would a more powerful transformer do the trick ? I believe the Z-4000 is capable of handling two loops ? Thanks
As you know I am really happy with the performance of my z-500 transformer. But I have learned that the Z-4000 has a "cleaner" power output and helps locomotives with electronics to operate a bit better. Plus it provides lots of power and has handy dandy meters on it.
I would save up for a Z-4000 in your situation. But only if I was looking for a performance increase. Do you think your Z-1000 are over worked? Do any of your locomotives with electronics experience glitches? The Z-4000 is still holding it's value. Keep an eye on auctions and other ads and you might get a good deal.
@@TooManyHobbiesJeremy No..not over worked and no electronic glitches at all. Just a slight decrease of power as they roll on the opposite side of the loops. Oddly enough, the engines have a slight burst of power when the horn button is held down. Thanks for your reply. 👍
Horn button speed-up is normal. To avoid slow down on far side of a loop, you need to add feeder lines. Basically a duplicate power point.
@@TooManyHobbiesJeremy How about a second set of wires from the original transformer to a second terminal track on the other side ? I use Atlas track. Meaning I would double up ? I've never needed feeder lines before due to smaller loops. Thanks
Nothing wrong with your plan. I would jumper the second terminal track to the first. This should fix the locomotive slowing down when it's furthest from the transformer.
Of course you don't have to do anything.
The Z4000 is quite the transformer Jeremy. The Right of Way is also 400 watt but it’s a lot less complicated to use I think. Does it kind of remind you of a music mixing board the ROW?
part music mixer part junior mad scientist The ROW is one nice transformer.
That is luxury-level Protosound 1 programming. We have some PS1, but I'm not sure if I want to get a Z4000 just for this or not. Hmm.
I would not get one just for the programming feature. If you will ever be expanding your layout or like me - love to run lots of lighted cars - then get one. I like not having to worry about having enough power output. I view it as an investment in my hobby.
@@TooManyHobbiesJeremy Those passengers cars with incandescents do draw a lot of amps. I did some old school blocking, and I stuck cheap transformers on a couple blocks just to keep from overloading my powermaster/Lionel brick. I can multiple passenger trains at the same time, but it just takes a little fussing to make sure it doesn't break the fuse.
Nothing wrong with your solution. Nice work
That is awesome
thanks bro
Any chance you have the ps make chip and extractor tool for sale ?
I do own one, the extractor is the easy part to find as it's not MTH specific lol.