Coaling Tower to AIU

It can be done, but a diode or two has to be installed. The diodes change the current to DC to keep AC from damaging the unit. So don't try to just hook it up.

MTH thinks this runs on AC, why do you state DC?  MTH 30-9158 Coaling Tower

Always willing to learn, but I'm surprised that requires DC.

John,

The controller has the diodes in it to change the voltage to DC so it will work on AC.

My friend Hugh tried to hook up his to the AIU and blew the board in the tower from getting AC current if I remember. He finally added diodes as the controller has and it works fine now. Hopefully he will respond with the wiring and diodes needed to make it work.

Since it already has diodes, I can't imagine what another set would do for it.  I'd have to know more to hazard a guess, but it's hard for me to believe that powering it from the relays in the AUI vs. just a switch makes any difference in the operation.

Yes, you do need to add two diodes to make it work thru an AIU. I have the diagram in my files to make it work. It is a complicated diagram and was hard to figure out exactly where to put it. I will dig it out and get it put up for discussion. Probably tomorrow based on when I find it. As much as I can recall, two added diodes control reversing of DC can motor for up & down. As joe says, be patient, I blew the can motor when experimenting.

When I worked it out, it was a big deal and took a lot of analysis time. . I had to reverse engineer the boards in controller & on unit.

That is why the diagram is required to explain.

I can tell you to use it to my satisfaction, it takes 4 ACC ports.

1. Turn bucket on/off (no diode required)

2. take bucket up on/off

3. take bucket down on/off

4. Operate solenoid to fill waiting car. (no diode required)

Some of this is coming back now as it has been a number of years since i did this installation.

My objective back then was to retain dual control, that is leave the MTH controller in place but also to have it operate through the AIU off my handheld. It still exists that way but is now redundant to the way I run my trains and all the manual controllers, transformers are no longer insight. I just use my handheld.

So the reason for the two diodes was to replicate the diodes that are in the controller to prevent control feedback when reversing the can motor to go UP or DOWN.

Here are the diagrams. Not too good for scanning in but maybe I can take you through it.

THIS IS THE WHOLE SCHEMATIC

THIS IS WHAT IS IN THE CONTROLLER AND HOW LAND PATTERNS ARE CONNECTED.

THIS IS THE BOARD IN THE TOWER AND HOW THE LAND PATERNS CONNECT TO THE OPERATING PARTS.

THIS SHOWS THE AIU ACC PORTS 7 thru 10 AND HOW THE GROUND FROM THE CONTROLLER IS FED INTO THE in OF THE RELAY. YOU CAN SEE ACC 7 GOES STRAIGHT TO THE BUCKET MAGNET. ACC 10 GOES STRAIGHT TO THE SOLENOID DROP.

HOWEVER PORTS 8 &9 OUTPUTS have diodes that are tied together and controls the different directions of the can motor.

This is a better picture showing how controller wiring and AIU wiring are spliced together.

Good Luck!

Hugh

The diodes being in the controllers makes it much clearer, that means that the actual coaling tower may actually require DC.

The can motor operates on DC current for the up and down.

Hugh,

Thanks for taking time for the diagrams and such. It may help someone else from damaging their coaling tower. Have a great Day..............Joe

I don't have the AIU for my DCS system, how does one control the various function of a device if you use more than one channel?  Is there a way to make it look like it's integrated or are they simply separate channels?

AIU's are the cheapest means of controlling practically everything on the layout.

I use them for:

Controlling power blocks (with a 5A fast blow protection)

Controlling power to all sidings.

Controlling all switches.

Controlling all UCS/RCS tracks

Controlling all accessories

Running 2 trains, a trolley and two subways all at once.

All the above add up to 5 AIUs (max), that is 20 relays per AIU.

My entire control panel is One drawer in which I turn on power to the whole layout, remove my DCS hand held, close the drawer and do everything that can be done, including running all my TMCC locos while walking around the layout.

As you are probably aware, you can chain commands to make it a one button push to go through the whole sequence of activities. I choose not to do that so I can converse with my visitors when demonstrating the layout.

Best thing since NY sliced rye bread with seeds!

Hugh

AW Come on! Use the diagram, get some help ifnecessary and just do not use the controller. I believe diodes are 1N4001'smaybe 5 cents each.

The AIU is really a good value when you consider that you get 20 controls, I use the TMCC SC-2, and I only get six with that.

John,

I don't have the AIU for my DCS system, how does one control the various function of a device if you use more than one channel?  Is there a way to make it look like it's integrated or are they simply separate channels?

Part IV - Accessory and Switch Track Control of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition has very detailed discussions of how to best use the AIU to wire a wide variety of switch tracks and accessories, including specific examples of, among others, how to use it to control a Lionel transfer table and Atlas turntable.

This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!