MTH Electric Trains Z4KR Z4000 Remote Commander User Manual Z4K alt inst manual
MTH Electric Trains, Inc. Z4000 Remote Commander Z4K alt inst manual
Users Manual
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MTH Electric Trains
Z4K Remote Control System Instruction Manual
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Table of Contents
Physical and Electrical Characteristics 3
Features 4
Setup 4
Operation 5
Care and Maintenance 6
A Few Words about 900Mhz 7
Troubleshooting Guide 7
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PHYSICAL AND ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Z4K Remote Transmitter
Batteries-
• Requires 4 “AAA” alkaline
Buttons-
• Horn/Whistle – Activates horn or whistle
• Bell/Select – Activates the bell and also selects a program (if in program mode)
• Direction – Controls direction of movement for each locomotive
• Program – Allows user to program certain functions on equipped locomotives
• Boost – Momentarily increases train speed by increasing track voltage. Train returns
to previous speed when released
• Brake – Momentarily decreases train speed by decreasing track voltage. Train returns
to previous speed when released
• Emergency Stop – Drops voltage to zero on both tracks of selected Z4K when pressed
• Throttle Thumb Wheel – Allows user to increase or decrease voltage supplied to the
track(s) to speed up or slow down trains
Switches-
• Track Select switch – Allows user to select between which track to control, Track 1
or Track 2
• Transformer Select switch – Allows user to select between which Z4K to control Z4K
1, 2, or 3. You will need to purchase additional receivers if you wish to run more
than one Z4K transformer.
LCD-
• One-line, two-digit display (Decimal point flashes when in Program mode)
Transmitter-
• 900Mhz technology
Z4K Remote Receiver
Connection-
• RJ-11 connection to Z4K transformer
Receiver-
• 900Mhz technology
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FEATURES
Transmitter-
• Able to select between three different transformers and two tracks on each
transformer for a total of 6 controllable tracks
• 900Mhz technology allows the user to run trains from up to 30 feet away
• LCD indicates commanded voltage on remotely controlled transformers
• Emergency Stop button gives user the ability to instantly reduce track voltages to 0,
thereby stopping the trains from a potentially harmful situation
• Program button gives user the ability to remotely program the train (on Proto-Sound
equipped locomotives). Also, to simplify programming the user can select which
feature they want by scrolling with the throttle.
Receiver-
• User is able to place receiver out of sight because it operates in the 900Mhz range
• Quick and easy connection to ANY Z4K transformer
Expandability-
• With the Z4K remote you can control up to three Z4K transformers (You will need a
receiver for every transformer you wish to control)
SETUP AND OPERATION OF Z4K REMOTE
SETUP - This section describes how to setup your remote control unit so you can
operate trains remotely. It also describes how to run multiple transformers with one
remote
To setup your remote control unit follow these steps:
1. Make sure the Z4K transformer’s power is OFF
2. Open the battery door on the transmitter and install 4 “AAA” alkaline batteries
3. Connect the RJ-11 jack on the receiver to the back of the Z4K transformer. There is
no external power for the receiver, it receives it power from the transformer
4. Flip the Track select switch to 1 and flip the Z4K select switch to Z4K 1. This will
allow you to take control of Track 1 on Z4K 1
5. Turn ON the power to the transformer
6. When the transformer powers up, watch the LED display. When the transformer
resets it will display 40 00 in the volts window and 01 23 or 01 24 (depending upon
the firmware version you have) in the amps window. Approximately 3 seconds later
the volts window will go blank and the amps window will display PG PG. When this
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is displayed, press the Emergency Stop button and you should see -- -- in the volts
window. Immediately following this, the transformer will display 0.0 0.0 in the volts
window and RC RC in the amps window. You now have remote control of Track 1
on Z4K 1
7. Roll the throttle up and press the Direction button and you’re off and running
8. If you want to run track 2 on the same Z4K, flip the Track select switch to Track 2
and roll the throttle up and you’re now running on track 2.
9. If you have multiple Z4K transformers you can take control of them the same way as
described above. The only thing you have to do is flip the Z4K select switch to Z4K 2
or 3 and repeat steps 4 and 5. Note- if you run more than one Z4K transformer it is
possible that the receivers can be on the same channel. This will cause undesired
operation on one of the Z4K transformers. Please see the Troubleshooting section on
page 7 for more information regarding this.
OPERATION – This section describes how to operate your remote control to perform
such functions as sounding the bell, sounding the horn/whistle, changing direction, and
programming your Proto-Sounds equipped engine.
To operate your Z4K remote control, follow these steps:
1. To sound the horn or whistle, press and release 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
2. To sound the bell, press and release the Bell/Select button. To turn the bell off, press
and release the Bell/Select button again
3. To change the direction of the train, or to put it in neutral, press and release the
Direction button
4. If you wish to slow the train or stop it momentarily, press and hold the Brake button.
The train will slow to a stop. At the same time you will see the Z4K transformer
indicated voltage drop to 5.0 volts. When you release the Brake button the train will
speed up to the commanded voltage as displayed on the remote. At the same time you
will see the Z4K transformer indicated voltage increase to the same voltage
5. On the other hand, if you wish to increase the speed momentarily, press and hold the
Boost button. You will see the Z4K transformer indicated voltage increase to 22.
CAUTION!!! If you hold the Boost button too long it is possible to derail the
train, especially around corners.
6. Release the Boost button and the train will slow to its commanded voltage as
displayed on the remote. At the same time you will see the Z4K transformer indicated
voltage decrease to the same voltage
Before you begin programming your Proto-Sounds equipped engine, please refer to
the owner’s manual that accompanied your engine for instruction.
7. To program your Proto-Sounds equipped engine, press the Program button. You will
see a flashing decimal point on the remote’s LCD. Scroll the throttle up to the desired
function number and press the Bell/Select button. You may also use the Direction and
Horn/Whistle buttons to scroll to the function number. However, it is much easier to
use the throttle.
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8. If a problem should occur or if you wish to immediately stop all trains running on a
Z4K transformer, press the emergency Stop button. This will instantly send both track
voltages to zero. Note- this will only affect the selected Z4K transformer.
Gaining control with the Z4K Transformer-
To gain control with the Z4K transformer, press any button on the transformer and
control will be given back to both tracks on that transformer.
If you would like to preset a voltage on the tracks so that when you gain control with the
transformer your trains continue to run follow these instructions:
1. Gain control with the remote control (see steps 4 and 5 in the SETUP section)
2. Gain control back with the transformer by pushing any button on the Z4K transformer
(this will cause the voltage to drop to zero initially)
3. Use the throttles on the Z4K transformer to set the track voltage(s) to whatever you
desire and then press any button the remote or scroll the throttle on the remote. You
should now see RC RC in the amps window. The voltage that is now displayed is the
commanded voltage from the remote. The next time you take control with the Z4K
transformer it will run the train(s) at the voltage you set with the Z4K transformer
throttles
What this allows you to do is switch between remote control and local control and still
have the train(s) running at a commanded voltage.
If you have multiple transformers, it will work the same on all of them.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE – This section describes how to maintain and care
for your remote control system.
Your MTH Z4K Remote Control System should offer years of trouble-free service. There
are a few things you can do to ensure trouble-free operation:
1. Ensure old, worn batteries are promptly removed and replaced with fresh batteries.
Alkaline batteries can leak and cause damage to the remote and can cause injury to
the operator
2. Do not drop the remote. It can damage the delicate electronics inside
3. Do not place your receiver next to a 900Mhz cordless base unit. Because the MTH
Z4K Remote Control System operates in the 900Mhz band your 900Mhz cordless
phone can interfere with the unit. For more information regarding 900Mhz see the
section, A FEW WORDS ON 900Mhz
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A FEW WORDS ON 900Mhz – This section describes the transmitting and
receiving characteristics of your MTH Remote Control System and how interference can
affect the performance of your remote.
Because your MTH Remote Control System operates in the 900Mhz-frequency range it
allows for excellent reception from several feet away. There is, however, the potential
for interference. If you follow these guidelines you can reduce the likelihood of
interference:
1. If you have a 900Mhz cordless phone base in the same room you operate your MTH
remote you may want to move the phones base unit to another room.
2. If you operate the handset within a few feet of the receiver or transmitter it may cause
unwanted interference. You may want to consider a more traditional corded phone or
a non-900Mhz cordless phone
3. You may be able to operate a 900Mhz DSS (Digital Spread Spectrum) phone within
the same room as your MTH remote as these phones tend to offer less interference
than analog 900Mhz phones
4. One of the things you may see is one of the functions, say the horn, may stick on. Or
the throttle may seem temporarily ineffective. This is a tell-tale sign there is
interference from some source
5. The last thing that can be done is to simply move around the room. You may find that
one spot gives you interference problems but 2 feet away you may be fine
TROUBLESHOOTING – This section provides solutions to the most common
problems you may find with your MTH Remote Control System. If you find that your
problem can’t be resolved with this manual, contact MTH Tech Support at 1-410-381-
2580
Symptom Problem Remedy
When I hit Emergency Stop the
train(s) don’t stop. You may have the Z4K select
switch pointing to the wrong
transformer.
Flip the Z4K select switch to the
Z4K you want to control and hit
the button again. Whatever trains
are running on that transformer
should stop and voltage on the
transformer should read 0.0
Two Z4K’s are doing the exact
same thing, just like their on the
same channel
In fact, both are on the same
channel. This can happen if you
swap receivers or remotes
What you need to do is power off
all your Z4K’s and then remove
one of the batteries. Now re-
install the battery and ONE ATA
TIME, power on and take control
of your Z4K’s. Now power the
Z4K’s off again and then ONE
ATA TIME power on and take
control of your Z4K’s. Repeat
this three more times.
I can’t control my Z4K at all You may have the Z4K select
switch pointing to the wrong Z4K Flip the Z4K select switch to the
correct transformer and try again
The horn sticks on There is a problem with
interference See the section entitled A FEW
WORDS ON 900Mhz
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Symptom Problem Remedy
I can’t control one of the tracks The Track select switch may not
be pointing to the correct track Try flipping the track select
switch to the other track
My remote seems to be
unresponsive. This is most likely because the
remote is in Program mode. It
could also be interference
Look at the remote’s LCD. If
there is a flashing decimal point
that means you are in Program
mode. Press the Program button
and you should now see the
commanded voltage on the LCD.
If it is still unresponsive, you be
experiencing interference
The LCD on the remote seem to
be faded or keeps going blank Your batteries may be running
low Try replacing the batteries with
fresh, new ones
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