MTHTrains Z-4000 Operating Instructions Manual

CAUTION-ELECTRICALLY
OPERATED PRODUCT:

Not recommended for children under 10
years of age. M.T.H. recommends adult
supervision with children ages 10-16. As
with all electric products, precautions
should be observed during handling and
use to reduce the risk of electric shock.

M.T.H. Electric Trains®

Z-4000 400-Watt Transformer

Operating Instructions

The M.T.H. Z-4000® Transformer is a state-of-the-art UL-approved 400-watt
model railroad hobby transformer. It features a microprocessor-controlled
interface that provides the model railroader unprecedented control over any AC­powered model locomotive and locomotive sound system. The Z-4000
transformer may be used alone for local control of a model railroad or it can be
paired with a remote control system, such as the M.T.H. Z-4000 Remote Control
System or the M.T.H. DCS Remote Control System. Operators of any AC
powered O, S, or Standard Gauge locomotive, regardless of manufacturer, will
appreciate the power and control features found in the Z-4000 transformer. For
your own safety and that of your equipment, please read the following pages
before beginning to use your Z-4000 Transformer.

The Z-4000 Transformer’s control panel has a voltage display, amperage display,
and horn, bell, direction, and programming buttons for two track outputs. Two
additional fixed voltage outputs are also available, making the Z-4000 the perfect
choice for operating O, S, or Standard Gauge locomotives and accessories.

The Z-4000 was designed to operate any AC-powered model train or operating
accessory. The transformer contains two variable outputs, each capable of
providing 180 watts to the track or accessory, and two fixed voltage outputs of 10
and 14 volts repectively. The fixed outputs are designed for powering accessories
like lamps and switches, while the variable outputs should be utilized for
locomotive and operating accessories. In addition, the Z-4000 features individual
circuit breakers for each output and utilizes a state-of-the-art design that minimizes
voltage fluctuation when bell or horn buttons are activated.

Operating a locomotive or accessory is a
straight-forward process. Voltage output is
controlled by the throttle setting. Adjusting
the throttle setting will control the track
voltage, which is shown on the VOLTS
display. Pressing the DIRECTION,
WHISTLE/HORN and BELL buttons
should cause the locomotive to change
direction, blow its whistle or horn and ring its
bell (if the engine is so equipped),
respectively. It is important to wire up the Z­4000 to your track correctly in order for the
button function to perform properly. If the
horn or bell does not function when their
buttons are pressed, check the transformer
connections for proper hook ups. The
buttons also perform secondary functions (shown in white letters with blue
background) when the Z-4000 is in Program mode. For more information on
using the buttons, see the “Basic Operating Instructions” and “Programming
Proto-Sound® Features” sections of these operating instructions.

As with all electrically powered products, certain precautions should be taken
before operating the Z-4000 transformer. Please review the precautions section in
the back of this book before operating your Z-4000.

Note: If at any time the red warning light illuminates and stays lit (located on the left side of the
transformer case), the operator must return the throttle handles to the OFF position to reset the
transformer output.

2

Z-4000 Transformer Operating Manual

WIRING UP THE Z-4000 TRANSFORMER

The Z-4000 contains connectors that are designed to accept banana jack
connectors or may be used as traditional screw down binding posts at the back of
the transformer case. Each connector is color coded, BLACK for ground (-) and
RED for positive (+) connections. The top row of connectors are BLACK and
act as common ground connections for each output, while the bottom row of
connectors are RED and provide the positive connection for each output.
Connect the BLACK or ground terminal to either outer rail of the track and the
RED or positive terminal to the center rail of the track. Wiring the constant
voltage outputs (used for accessories) follows the same convention.

Also functions as a binding post.

Connect To

Outside (-) Rail

Connect To

Track Center (+) Rail

Once the track and/or accessories have been wired up to the Z-4000, plug the AC
power cord into any 110V household plug and follow the remaining operating
instructions.

Note: The owner should not, at any time, attempt to connect or short any of the voltage outputs
together in an effort to gain more power output. If the user attempts such a procedure, the Z­4000 may become permanently disabled. At the very least, the Z-4000 will automatically shut
down and the red OVERLOAD light will be illuminated.

3

Z-4000 Transformer Operating Manual

BASIC OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make sure the two large throttle handles located on either side of the
transformer are in the fully lowered (or OFF) position.

2. Turn the Z-4000 on by pressing the Power On button located on the lower right
front side of the transformer case.

3. Displays should illuminate and read approximately 0.0 VOLTS and 0.0 AMPS as
no power to the track will be applied when the throttle handles are in the OFF
position. When the handles are in their fully raised or HI position, approximately
22 volts of power will be applied to the track.

4. Move a throttle handle slightly from the OFF position toward the HI position.
You will see the VOLTS display for the track you are operating show a starting
voltage of approximately 5 volts applied to the track. In other words, the Z-4000
has an effective start-up voltage setting of approximately 5 volts, rather than 1, 2,
3, or 4 volts. This convention follows the design of the Proto-Sound® system and
does not effect the operation of any other manufacturer’s locomotive or accessory.

Note:: If no load is present on the track when power is first applied (by moving the throttle up
from the fully lowered position), the voltage meter will jump to approximately 10 volts. A load is
created if any accessory, lighted car or locomotive is present on the track when power is applied.
No Accidental Startups will occur with the Z-4000 because the variable outputs are protected
from accidental high-power startup. If the throttle handles are not in the OFF position when the
Z-4000 is first turned on, no power will be applied to the track and the red OVERLOAD
light will illuminate.

5. When you are ready to run the locomotive, raise the throttle handle to increase
voltage to the track until the train begins to move. Proto-Sound-equipped and
some other recent locomotives are programmed to begin in neutral, so you will
need to push the Direction button to put these engines into forward. Older
locomotives ma

4

Z-4000 Transformer Operating Manual

Operation Buttons:

Horn/Whistle

- To sound the horn or whistle, firmly press the Horn/Whistle
button. The longer you hold the button down the longer the horn or whistle will
sound. The horn/whistle will stop when you release the button.

- To sound the bell (if the engine is so equipped), firmly press and release the

Bell

Bell/Select button. To turn the bell off, press and release the Bell/Select button
again. The bell will continue to ring from the time your turn it on until you press
and release the button again, to turn it off.

Direction

- To change the direction of the train, or to put it in neutral, firmly
press and release the Direction button. (Alternately, you can still change directions
by dropping and restoring power with the throttle handles, as you do with other
transformers) With the reverse units used in M.T.H. and most other model trains,
the direction will not go directly from forward to reverse. If a train has been going
forward, the first press will put the train from forward into neutral, the second
press into reverse, the third press back into neutral, and the fourth back into
forward. Please refer to your locomotive’s operating instructions for more
information.

PROGRAMMING PROTO-SOUND® 2.0 FEATURES

Proto-Sound 2.0 features are triggered by a series of combination signals. You will
press the horn/whistle and bell buttons in certain combinations to trigger each
feature. There is no Program Button operation in Proto-Sound 2.0. Please see
your engine’s operating instructions for the combination signals to operate its
features.

5

Z-4000 Transformer Operating Manual