Hello all, Can I use an MTH Z4000 to power my Lionel Prewar Standard Gauge trains from the 1920s and 1930s?? They all have AC motors and see no reason why it would not work. My hobby shop that I bought the Z4000 from said not to use it with older locomotives. Just wanted to make sure. Any help will do. Thanks.
I can't see why you shouldn't use a Z-4000 on prewar trains. It's AC and the prewars have AC motors.
Not the same thing, but I'm running post-wars with a Z-1000 and they love it, doesn't bother 'em at all.
I could be wrong, if I am, someone please correct me.
lionel2Hello all, Can I use an MTH Z4000 to power my Lionel Prewar Standard Gauge trains from the 1920s and 1930s??
Absolutely! They will love you for it, too. The hobby shop flat-out does not know what they're talking about.
Rob
On the other hand, I can see NOT using a pre-war transformer on modern locomotives, what with the circuit boards they've got in 'em. For that you need something with quick short-circuit protection.
There is no circuit breaker fast enough to protect "what with the circuit boards they've got in 'em". The damage is already done by the time any breaker kicks out... it may not be immediate, but it is certainly cumulative.
What you really need is Transient Voltage Suppression to clamp voltage spikes caused by shorts and other operational hazards to electronics.
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