Do I need to use a circuit breaker with a Lionel 180W Powerhouse "Brick"? I am running mostly MTH DCS engines and one Lionel Chief. If so, would you recommend?
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IMO the PH180 has a more than sufficient circuit breaker, it's all I use on my layout.
I am connecting the PH180 to the track through an MTH TIU. Is there any problem with that?
Ed, my layout runs on a PH180 with no issues whatsoever. I’ve had a few derailments and the trip protection is instantaneous. I run mostly Legacy locomotives.
Gene
@Ed Welch posted:I am connecting the PH180 to the track through an MTH TIU. Is there any problem with that?
Nope, exactly how I run at my pike. I use all four channels of the TIU fed by four PH180 bricks. As Gene says, whenever I have a derailment or any short on the tracks, the trip is instant.
Can I ask what you use to make the connection between the Brick and the TIU?
@Ed Welch posted:Can I ask what you use to make the connection between the Brick and the TIU?
My bricks go to custom cables that connects to the Molex connector of the brick the dual banana plug on the other end plugs into the TIU input channel. The outputs of each channel go from a custom cable that goes from a dual banana plug to spade lugs to connect to my track distribution barrier strips. The watchdog generators for each channel just piggyback on the output banana plugs.
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Wow, that's quite a sophisticated setup you have. I had an old 180 PH that I used for years but it stopped working. I just bought a new one. I have tried connecting it to a TIU and a lamp. When I turn the power on things light up but only for a second; then they go dead. I am assuming that I am tripping a circuit breaker but I don't know how.
What I think that I need is a male version of the Molex connector that is on the 180 PH. Do you know what this is called or where to get one?
Here's all the info on the transformer connectors as well as links to purchase them. Note that for the new PH180, you need a dummy male pin in the 538-03-09-2032 shell to press the safety interlock switch in the PH180 connector. The older PH180 didn't have that switch and you left that position blank. However, it won't hurt to put a pin in there not connected to anything, that way if you use a new PH180, it'll work without having to add the pin.
Molex 0003092032 CONN PLUG 3POS .198 https://www.digikey.com/produc...2032/WM1325-ND/61297
Molex 03-09-1032 CONN RECEPTACLE 3POS .198 https://www.digikey.com/produc...1032/WM1332-ND/61321
Molex Female housing 538-03-09-2032
Molex Male housing 538-03-09-1032
Molex Male pins 538-02-09-2103
Molex Female pins 538-02-09-1104
Thank you very much. This looks like just what I need.
