AIU and Powered MTH Switches

Dennis,

I presume that you are referring to the following on page 172:

An easy way to connect Common to all of the IN terminals is to first connect a 

wire to all of the IN terminals of an AIU and then connect one end of the wire to transformer Common. Then, connect the other end of the wire to the first IN terminal of the next AIU.

Just tart at the IN terminal of SW port #1 and connect a wire, stripped of its insulation, to the next IN terminal for SW port #2, and then on to the rewet of the AIU SW port IN terminals. Then, connect one end of that wire to the Common for the transformer that will power the switch tracks.

It works best if you put a fold into the wire at each connection to the SW port IN terminals.

Barry,

Thanks, now I understand.  Electric has always been my weak area.  And will the aux terminal on the Z1000 be fine for switch power?

Dennis

Dennis,

I don't know. If I were you, I'd hook it up and try. A lot will depend on the actual output voltage and how many bulbs are lit at the same time. Each switch track, with its controller, has 2 bulbs tat are always lit.

Den, On my old layout I had 10 Realtrax switches running off the Aux Power from a Z-1000.

Just remember the 100 Watts is split between the Aux and Main Output. This means loading Aux up with a bunch of switches will reduce the amount  of power available for your trains. Long lit passenger trains and a bunch of switches will overload the breaker and pop it.

Thanks Barry and Russell.  I'll try both a Z500 and Z1000 brick and see want goes.

By the way Russell, I'm retired USAF too.  It will be 20 years on 1 Nov.

Dennis