Hello, Thanks for all the input. OK even though the 50 brick and the 100 brick both say 18VAC, I did try the 50, and no changes. The controllers are identical. MTH now uses the same controller for Z500, Z750, & Z1000 units - just the power brick is different.
I think I will go the 'go back to the LHS route'
If the bell and horn won't work at a reasonable speed with one transformer, then they probably won't work with another. In any case, it is not a good idea to count on overloading the 50-watt transformer in order to lower its output voltage to a useful level.
Bob Nelson
Tim,
Try to use the transformer that came with that set!! For some reason a 50 watt transformer was included with the set, and this may be the whole issue. The Z-750 & Z-1000 have outputs of up to 21 volts, not sure what the Z-500 has. If it still has problems then it is the engine that is bad, and you need to do a warrenty claim.
Do not attempt to repair it yourself! That will void the warrenty immediately.
Lee F.
If your Z-1000 works without excessive speed with another engine, the problem is with the F-3. I've got two Z-1000 and they are great and also no problems with MTH or Lionel engines. Sounds like a warranty problem.
Also - while i knew that this was conventional, they should not make such statements on the box. (Smoke Unit, DCS ready)
Hello, I did not use the 50watt unit that came with it. I have a Z-1000 that came with the 2-8-0 railking set. That should not make any difference at all.
This is the "Starter Diesel Set" in the 2010 Ready toRun Catalog, F3 with Horn & Bell, list $219, the "- 0" is Conventional Control (- 1 is Proto-Sound 2.0). It is Twin motored and designed to run on a MTH 50watt Transformer (supplied with set), does it run properly with that setup? , did you try plugging your tramsformer into the supplied speed controller?
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Morning,
It is 30-4197-0 - The engine box has same number with E at the end
What is the MTH set number ?
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
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How many motors does it have? If two, you can wire them in series for slower operation.
Well, today I bought the MTH PRR F3 freight set. Having had great operation with the 2-8-0 steam passenger set, i expected no issues with this. WOW was I wrong. I put it on the track, powered by a newer Z-1000, and anything above two bar lines on the throttle, the engine is going around the track at 90 miles an hour! While I can get it to run at a nice slow speed, with the throttle down almost to the stop point, at that point, neither the bell nor the horn will run. What gives - is this normal for this diesel? Also the box says DCS ready, but there are no notes anywhere in the manual about that.
Does this engine have a problem? If this is normal, then
Can it easily convert to PS2 DCS? and
If so(dcs) will that slow it down?
Tim
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