Basic wiring versus complex

Since you have a PS/1 and a couple of command engines, I'd keep the power feed separate to the two tracks so you can still run the PS/1 with another engine.  All the outside rails should be common, just wire the center track of each loop to one handle of the Z-4000.  You can, within the limitations of each accessory output, wire more than one accessory to an output.  Two lighted buildings, for instance, should be no problem on one accessory output.

Since you have a Z4K, I would run both the 14v and the 10v taps on the rear of the transformer to separate MTH terminal blocks like the one shown below so that you have both a 14vac and 10vac source to which to attach your a/c accessories, depending on how much voltage they need to operate effectively.

Just run wires from the two posts of each tap to the red and black posts of the respective terminal block (mark each with a black sharpie so you know which is which) and then attach small red and blue/black spade crimps to the wires from each accessory to an empty port on the terminal block. Make a small chart for each terminal block to show what accessory is hooked up to each port and you're done.   

Each accessory tap has a 3 amp capacity so you'll have to keep track of how much current each accessory draws, but you should be able to get quite a few accessories on each terminal block.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Since you have a PS/1 and a couple of command engines, I'd keep the power feed separate to the two tracks so you can still run the PS/1 with another engine.  All the outside rails should be common, just wire the center track of each loop to one handle of the Z-4000.  You can, within the limitations of each accessory output, wire more than one accessory to an output.  Two lighted buildings, for instance, should be no problem on one accessory output.

I appreciate the feedback.  I have seen guys’ pictures here with jumpers on their tracks or terminal blocks.   I am just getting my feet wet so to speak on learning how to wire everything.

Could I run the PS1 and the Legacy on the same track or do those require different voltage?  The manual for Legacy does not indicate what voltage to run the engine in conventional mode.  Eventually, we will get the remote and amplifier(?) for that train but for now it will be conventional like the PS1.

Thank you!

@Richie C. posted:

Since you have a Z4K, I would run both the 14v and the 10v taps on the rear of the transformer to separate MTH terminal blocks like the one shown below so that you have both a 14vac and 10vac source to which to attach your a/c accessories, depending on how much voltage they need to operate effectively.

Just run wires from the two posts of each tap to the red and black posts of the respective terminal block (mark each with a black sharpie so you know which is which) and then attach small red and blue/black spade crimps to the wires from each accessory to an empty port on the terminal block. Make a small chart for each terminal block to show what accessory is hooked up to each port and you're done.   

Each accessory tap has a 3 amp capacity so you'll have to keep track of how much current each accessory draws, but you should be able to get quite a few accessories on each terminal block.

Thank you for the feedback.  I appreciate it.  I have seen some this stuff at my local train club but we have been shutdown for awhile. The guys showed me a few things but it takes a few times of showing me to get it to click.  Plus, I haven’t been able to put it into practice yet either.  I guess I am a visual learner.

The Z4K has been great at powering both tracks and the few accessories we have but I know we will want to add more.  The terminal blocks look pretty straightforward.  I didn’t realize MTH sold them although I am a little hesitant to shop with them given their current situation.  It might still be worthwhile to check them out in the interest paring up like components of a system.

@NeophyteMRR posted:

Could I run the PS1 and the Legacy on the same track or do those require different voltage?  The manual for Legacy does not indicate what voltage to run the engine in conventional mode.  Eventually, we will get the remote and amplifier(?) for that train but for now it will be conventional like the PS1.

When you're running in conventional mode, trying to run two conventional locomotives on the same track using the same power settings is an exercise in futility.  Although the operating voltages might be "similar", they will not run even close to the same speeds at the same power settings.  Also, sequencing to keep them running in the proper direction will be "interesting".

As you say, you're just starting out, I recommend you don't start out behind the 8-ball.

John-

I meant to say that I would be running the PS1 or the Legacy but not at the same time on one of the two tracks.  My son likes a long consist so it’s not practical in more than one way.  I was just wondering if the difference between the two engines would necessitate a third track at present.  When we get a Legacy Powermaster, a third track would probably be ideal.  I appreciate your input.  I am trying to plan this out.  I would like to plan for more than we currently need anticipating the addition of future accessories and track.  Better to have too much than not enough.

Richie-Being new to this, I am trying to understand the terminal block’s capacity.  If there is a 3 amp capacity per accessory, does that mean that one terminal block has a total capacity of 36 amps?  If I understand you correctly, I could wire 4 terminal blocks to 4 positions on the transformer and then add track and accessories in the future?  Thank you, again for the information.  I know you don’t have to be an electrical engineer to do a lot of the wiring but a little know-how goes a long way.  Seeing some of the wiring on people’s layouts here made me wonder what I should try to do to maximize my layout.

No 3rd track needed, you can run any engine you like by itself on the tracks.  As far as terminal blocks, there is no practical capacity limitation, I'm sure the MTH ones wouldn't break a sweat at 10 amps or more.   The power limitation is for the accessory outputs, not the associated wiring and terminal blocks.  You would never be running all the accessories at one time, and also not many accessories draw anything like 3 amps.

John's answer is spot on.

The 3 amp limitation is for the transformer, not the terminal block or wiring.  For example, if there was one accessory hooked up to the terminal block and turned on that drew 5 amps or ten accessories hooked up to the terminal block that drew a total of 5 amps (and they were all on at the same time), then the  fuse/breaker in the transformer would trip (or worse) because the total amp draw exceeded the capacity of the transformer accessory outputs.

That's an extreme example just to prove a point. In reality, most non-operating small accessories like street lights are in the tiny milliamp range and even buildings like the Menard's Melrose Train Station only draw 110 mah (you could hook up 26 of them before you'd exceed the 3 amp rating) and large structures like Menard's National Power & Light building only draw 550 mah, so you can put a fair amount of items on each terminal block before you reach the transformer's amp limit for that accessory port and, like John said, even if you have accessories hooked up to one block that exceed the amp limit, unless you're turning them all on at the same time, which would be unusual, you're still safe.

Finally, when you're looking to buy lighted accessories, try to purchase ones with LED lights if you can, as opposed to conventional lighting, because the LED's draw less amperage, which means you can hook more accessories to each block.

Forgot to add that even thought MTH is going out of business, I would not hesitate to buy these terminal blocks - they're pretty simple and straightforward and there's not much that can wrong - I've never heard of one failing as a result of a manufacturing defect, but there are others on the internet if you want to take a look.

Thank you, John and Richie.

The terminal blocks from MTH look well designed for their purpose.  It sounds like an on/off switch needs to be added into the mix for each accessory.  I appreciate you breaking it down for me, Richie.  It seems so overwhelming at the onset but I have seen here and at my club what a great layout can look like.  That’s what I aiming for.

MTH terminal block# are well made and easy to use. They should last a lot of years. We have a number in use and some spares as we add more. You will like them.