DCS and Lionel 180 power bricks

In our experience with the DCS demonstration layout, they engines do catch the watchdog signal most of the time. Some engines are exceptions. In those cases, we just shut them down.

The Lionel 180-watt bricks are great power supplies for DCS/TMCC. I just wish they were a little easier to find as we had some trouble a few months back getting hold of some.

I haven't experienced that happening.  The only thing I've seen odd is that, when I have both TMCC and PS2 engines on the track, sometimes (rarely) one of the PS2 engines will start up on it's own when I power up.  If I remove the TMCC engine(s) it doesn't happen.

It usually doesn't bother me but if one of the PS2 engines happens to be not so close to where I am when it starts up it kind of startles me.

Thank you

I want go this way for power, but there always seem to be some catch.

clem 

Blissfield Railroad Days' Events - Blissfield Main Street

 No catch to me. It's what I use too. Good source of power. Trips breaker fast when there's trouble. I don't see a down side?

 Engines starting when a TMCC engine is close is a different problem. Wouldn't matter what power you used. U may need chokes or move them to different staging tracks.

 I even get that when there's too many engines on any one channel.

I've never had any issues related to the PH180 bricks, I run them here and we use them at our modular club as well.

Never a missed watchdog signal or other problem here with PH-180's and DCS & TIU. It all works great together for me, I think this is a really good setup.

Is there any word out there when more will becoming available? Did some of these have any problems or quirks?

Clem  

Blissfield Railroad Days' Events - Blissfield Main Street

Lionel has them as shipping this month, Apr '14, FWIW. They show my Legacy system as shipping then as well!

I have 4 of them to supplement my Z4000's and I have never had any issues with the watchdog signal not being recognized (9 years experience).

Just for the recored, what is this discussion of the watchdog signal and power supplies?

The watchdog signal's viability or effectiveness has nothing to do with power supplies and everything to do with DCS signals strength.

That's all I use with my TIU.  Never a problem.  You will see this Saturday evening at the D3R meet at my house.

Dan

Hello Barry

I didn't know with the power coming on at 18 volts instead of being turned on by the handles of a Z4000, which starts at minimum to max. If the watch dog signal might be missed. Then all my locomotives would start in conventional. Just asking. 

Im tired of resetting that Z4000 every time I cut the power.

Clem

Clem,

Raise the handles quicker. The watchdog lasts for 5 seconds. That's a long time.

Alternately, get a Z4000 Remote Commander receiver and create Z4K Tracks. You'll never have to touch the Z4000 again, ever.

Barry

Thanks for confirming that the 180 bricks will work without issue of signal.

I did get a Z 4000 remote Commander receiver and did create Z4k tracks. Turns out it doesn't work if you use both sides of the Z4000 transformer(handles).

clem

Clem,

Turns out it doesn't work if you use both sides of the Z4000 transformer(handles).

Absolutely, it does. Why do you say that?

Barry

I am running one large loop. 

clem

Clem,

I am running one large loop.

So, break it into 2 different 1/2 loops, one 1/2 loop on each handle. Then:

• Use 2 Z4K handles, one for Fixed #1 In and the other for Fixed #2 In
• Setup 2 Z4K Tracks for the 2 handles
• Control the 2 handles with their individual Z4K Tracks, or both handles at the same time by using ALL Z4K Tracks.

I'd rather have the Z4000!!