Adding DCS track breakers to layout

I used regular automotive (for trailer hook-ups) "fast blow", 10 amp fuses, on each out-put channel of my two TIUs (Super Mode). I have blown MANY of these "automotive fuses", whenever someone really shorts out something, and have NEVER even tripped the breakers on either of the two Z4000 transformers. They are DEFINITELY worth the few dollars they cost for the fuse holders and packages of fuses. 

In the long run (actually, not too long), breakers will cost less than fuses.

Turnign off the entire system is a bit drastic.  Breakers in each lead feeding a TIU red input is better.

I would prefer the use of breakers.

Do you have any suggestions as to the type and where to purchase suitable curcuit breakers?

Thanks: Joe K

Joe K,

   I have my layout powered in a similar manner but I use the Scotts Odds and Ends

10 Amp breakers between my Transformers and my TIU.  Works like a charm on my

FasTrack layout.  Scotts Odds and Ends will deliver the 10 Amp Breaker Bank right to your house, they work great and are easily reset, and installed.

PCRR/Dave

Note the Scott 10 Amp Breaker banks, with the white strips, in front of the transformers.

I get mine from Defender Marine @ $5.59 - $5.79.  I use their Blue Sea Systems push buttons, which mount through a hole.  These are also available from several other sources under different names, such as "Sierra."

http://search.defender.com/?ex...ers&x=4&y=12

which leads to:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|328|296553|299262|1311366&id=1479737

I know the general recommendation is 10-amp, b ut I suggest 7.  With both fuses and breakers, they do not blow immediately on rating being exceeded--the rating can be exceeded for a surprisingly long time..  Unless you run unusually well lit trains, 7-amp should be adequate and will open more quickly on a short.

Question.  Is this needed if one uses a Z4000?  Also don't the new Rev L TIU have this type of protection?  Again, be gentle...new to DCS.

Is this needed if one uses a Z4000?

No, it is not. The Z4000 provides excellent short-circuit protection without the addition of external fuses or circuit breakers.

  Also don't the new Rev L TIU have this type of protection?

Not really.

All TIUs except for the original Rev. G have 20 amp fuses in each channel. However, those fuses are there strictly to protect the TIU itself, not your engine's electronics.

However, every TIU also has TVS (transient voltage spike) protection built-into each channel, and this protects engine electronics against transient voltage spikes, but not short-circuits.

The combination of a Z4000n plus a TIU provides both types of protection for your engine's electronics.

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!

Is this needed if one uses a Z4000?

No, it is not. The Z4000 provides excellent short-circuit protection without the addition of external fuses or circuit breakers.

  Also don't the new Rev L TIU have this type of protection?

Not really.

 

All TIUs except for the original Rev. G have 20 amp fuses in each channel. However, those fuses are there strictly to protect the TIU itself, not your engine's electronics.

 

However, every TIU also has TVS (transient voltage spike) protection built-into each channel, and this protects engine electronics against transient voltage spikes, but not short-circuits.

 

The combination of a Z4000n plus a TIU provides both types of protection for your engine's electronics.

 

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!

 

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/60-1279

 

Barry,

Great info as usual.  It appears I'm well protected in my setup.  Thanks again! 

My question is:

1) is this the correct place to add the "fuse"? The fuse in the powerhouse seems to work OK, so I am not sure if I need the extra protection.

I don't think you really need anything. The 180 bricks have fast circuit breakers

I'm with Hot water, we also use 10 amp fast blow fuses with our post war ZWs. We  go through a few fuses  but haven't lost a tiu or for that matter a engine since 02 when dcs first came out..

PCRR/Dave,

In your post above, you referred to Scott's Odds and Ends as a source for electronic parts for model railroads.  Please be advised that they have been acquired by Train Electrics LLC with a website located at www.trainelectrics.com.  Seem to carry the same stuff, though.

Chuck

Part of the Root problem has not been addressed.

Resetting the DCS TIU to re-send the watchdog signal to the engines powering back up can be done by interrupting the power to Fixed 1 in.

But this only works if the engines are looking for the signal briefly while powering up.

Simply selecting the affected engine and pressing power up will restore Command function. If it comes up in a way you don't like, Select Shut down, then power up to reset it. Sometimes I still must shut off the smoke afterwards, assuming I don't want more smoke in the room.

Chuck,

   Thanks for the info on Scotts, I hope they continue to be a good company acquired by new management.  I will put the new address in my favorites.

Barry there is a reason for putting a 10 Amp fuse bank infront of a Z4K.

If you have a fair sized layout like mine, I run more than a couple tracks from the same handle of my Z4K using my DCS Hand held remote, so if I have a problem on a particular track, the 10 Amp breaker pops instead of the Z4K breaker, keeping the other tracks live and running, I simply take care of the problem and reset the breaker.  You are correct however, most people do not require this particular 10 Amp breaker set up in front of a Z4K.  My ZW's and Kw"s are set up in the same manner, thanks to your advise long ago.

PCRR/Dave