I just bought a Z1000 from Ebay and I am still pretty new into the hobby. I’m using a postwar style Lionel loco, Lionel O tubular track and conventional control.
Is it possible to use the 14vac-80w output at the same time as the 18vac-100w output? The label on the brick says:
“14VAC 80W or
18VAC 100W”
The “or” is what is causing my question because I wanted to use the controller to run my train and, at the same time, use the 14v output to provide fixed voltage to my Lionel 022 switches. Is this possible?
From the controller I have the red post connected to a track lockon terminal #1 which is the center rail, and the black post to #2 which is the outside rails. I assumed that if I connected a wire from the 14V “HOT” screw to a fixed voltage plug, and a wire from the 14V “COM” screw to the lockon terminal #2, that everything would work as intended. However, if I connect a wire from the “COM” screw to either track lockon terminal, it either trips the breaker on the brick, or runs the train at a very high speed.
Am I doing something wrong? Or is this not possible?
You shouldn’t do that. Don’t hook up any wires from the fixed voltage output screws to either one of the track lockon posts. You could damage a locomotive that way, if it was a newer one with sensitive electronics. Both of the screw posts on the power brick is for accessories only, it has nothing to do with running the trains. Your switch should work properly if you hooked it up to the accessory posts on the transformer brick, not the controller with the throttle and whistle and bell buttons.
Is a Lionel 022 switch (turnout) considered an accessory? To hook up an 022 switch to run off of fixed voltage, and using only one transformer (a MTH Z-1000), how is this accomplished? Is this possible?
I use the MTH Z-1000 and love it. You hook the two outputs(red/blk) from the controller to the track and the ACC outputs from the brick go to any accessory.
But … a Lionel 022 switch only has one place to connect a wire (and that is only if you use the fixed voltage plug). If I connect the accessory “HOT” to the switch fixed-voltage-plug then the switch does not get 14 volts!
I think I understand how (on a 022 switch) to use a postwar Lionel transformer that has a common ground between the variable-voltage and fixed-voltage terminals, but I don’t have one. I bought the MTH Z-1000 because everybody seems to think that they are great but I can’t figure out how to use one to power the track with the variable-voltage and the Lionel 022 switches with the fixed-voltage.
Yes, you can run your train with the Z-1000’s variable output and use the 14VAC fixed output to power the 022 switches. The problem I believe you’re running into is that some of the Z-1000 bricks had their fixed outputs wired backwards at the factory. You can test this with a volt meter or test lamp.
Turn the variable output all the way up.
connect the meter or test lamp between the black variable terminal and the fixed “common” on the brick.
If you see anything under 4 volts (or the test lamp is very dim to out) the brick is NOT wired backwards. If you see anything over 4 volts (or the test lamp is bright) the brick IS wired backwards.
If the brick is wired backwards connect the “common” terminal of the 14VAC fixed output to the switch’s “fixed voltage plug.” Then the black terminal on the varible output and the hot terminal on the fixed voltage output.
The Z-1000 is a great little transformer. Once you get things hooked up properly you’ll likely be a happy camper. Good luck.