AUX power supply- what do you use?

Good question!   I went to older Posts suggesting
Radio Shack even giving item number.  Went to
Radio Shack and they no longer carry it.

On to Plan B.  I'm too cheap to buy a cheap
$50 or $60 train set transformer to do it.
Until I can find an inexpensive solution I'll
Continue to use jumper wires to variable 1.

I hope somebody comes up with a good answer.

Chris,

 

From page 96 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition:

TIU Aux. Power Sources

There are several sources of power that may be used to power the TIU through the Aux. Power port. In general, any AC or DC power supply that provides 1.5 amp of power at a voltage between 12 and 22 volts and has a suitable connector that fits the Aux. Power port will work.

 

One source of power for the TIU's Aux. Power port is any one of the smaller MTH transformers, such as the Z500, Z750 or Z1000, or the MTH #50-240 Z-DC24 power supply. Their barrel plugs exactly fit the TIU's Aux. Power port. If using one of these power supplies, it is important not to use the Z-Controller that may be included with them.

 

Another source of power for the TIU's Aux. Power port is the Radio Shack #273-331 Enercell™ Switchable 18/24VAC 1 AMP Power Adapter with #273-344 Enercell™ Adaptaplug™ M. It should be used on the 18 volt setting. However, since this power supply is rated for only 1.0 amp, it should be used only to power a TIU to which AIUs are not connected.

 

A third source of power for the TIU's Aux. Power port is the 14 volt output of an MTH Z4000 transformer using an appropriate barrel connector. It should be noted that if the Z4000's 14 volt output is used, it should be used solely for this purpose and not used to power any other device.

 

Although the polarity of the power source for the Aux. Power port is typically not a concern, there are two caveats in that regard that are noteworthy:

• If the Z4000’s 14 volt output is used to power the TIU via the TIU's Aux. Power port, polarity is important and must be correctly observed. If polarity is reversed, and one or both of the Z4000's handles are used to power the TIU's channels, a short circuit through the Z4000 can result

• If a brick-type transformer is used to power the TIU via the TIU's Aux. Power port and the non-accessory output of the brick is being used for other purposes, including powering a TIU channel or powering switch tracks that use non-derailing mechanisms, polarity is important and must be correctly observed. Otherwise, a short circuit through the brick-type transformer can result.

 

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Unless you have many AIUs, a cheap wall wart with voltage output of 13-18 volts, AC or DC, should do.  On my workbench, I use an old phone power supply.  If you have many AIUs, you might need several amps capacity; 750 ma will do without AIUs.

 

MTH was about to produce and ship (they say) such a device with a price around $15, but I no longer see any listings for it..

Barry:

Please tell me the advantage of the aux. Power supply vs. Just jumper wires from any of the other channels to variable 1?  Thank you.

I interpret above as including 12V DC adapters.  In which case search eBay for "12V 2A adapter US 2.1mm" you'll find many for under $4 shipped - for example listing # 400589216721 (OGR deletes direct links to eBay). 

 

John,

Please tell me the advantage of the aux. Power supply vs. Just jumper wires from any of the other channels to variable 1?

From pages 95-96 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition:

Advantages to Powering the TIU Through the Aux. Power Port

Essentially, the TIU is a computer. This means that each time its power is interrupted, it must reboot when power is restored. This reboot process takes a small amount of time, during which commands sent by the DCS Remote cannot be received by the TIU. If the TIU is powered by power present on Fixed Channel #1, turning off this power, even momentarily, will cause the TIU channels to behave in different ways. Although commands from the DCS Remote sent on any channel cannot be received while the TIU is turned off, the various TIU channels will react as follows:

• Trains connected to Fixed Channel #1 will simply stop running

• Variable channels will shut down and not pass power to the tracks. Trains running on tracks controlled by these channels will also simply stop running

• Power will continue to pass through Fixed Channel #2. Trains running on tracks connected to this channel will continue to operate. DCS (or TMCC) engines will continue doing whatever they were last doing when power to the TIU was turned off. However, the operator will have no control of these trains from the DCS Remote.

 

If the TIU is powered through Fixed Channel #1 rather than the Aux. Power port and there's a derailment on the tracks connected to Fixed Channel #1, the following will occur:

• The TIU will immediately stop receiving commands from the DCS Remote

• All trains running on tracks connected to Fixed Channel #1 or to a Variable Channel will come to a halt when the TIU's internal fuse or an external fuse for Fixed Channel #1 blows, or the transformer or other external circuit breaker trips

• All trains running on tracks connected to Fixed Channel #2 will continue to operate, however, they will not respond to commands from the DCS Remote.

 

The above scenario will continue with some trains stopped and others unable to be controlled until the power to the TIU is restored or all track power is shut down. Further, the E-Stop button on the DCS Remote will not be useable. Not a good situation!

 

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Okay Barry.  Thank you.  I'm sold.

I'm thinking of adding an AIU to my dcs set up, is this power supply adequate?

 

 

Absolutely!  

I am also sold on using the Aux port for powering my TIU. I used a Z500 from an MTH starter set that I wasn't using for anything else.

John C,

    The other thing you should be sold on is the purchase of Barry's DCS O Gauge Companion, now in the 3rd addition.  There is so much DCS/Legacy educational information in his book that if you read and use the information when building a DCS/Legacy layout a lot of the frustrating learning curve is completely eliminated.

I also recommend the OGR Video guide to DCS, especially if you are a visual learner,

Rich Melvin did a great instructional job on the OGR Video Guide, although dated now, this Video is a great instructional formate for both the beginner and the more experienced layout builder.

I use a couple RS 18/24 power supplies noted in the Companion book to power my TIU's 

Have fun.

PCRR/Dave

Thanks guys for the information.  I'll be at wall mart today. I'll look for one.  Actually 2 because I have 2 tiu's.  I do have the digital version of the other Guage companion.  I even printed it out.  At my office!  Just found it.  Thanks.