We're changing our 20'x50' (consisting of an outer loop, an inner loop, a yard and an engine yard) system over from conventional to DCS. I was wondering that since each loop appears to require one Z4000, using both sides of the transformer, does that mean that I will need three Z4000s to run each loop and the yards (i.e. one transformer for each loop and another for the yards)?
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I believe you can run 2 or more loops from each mth z4000 but just double check with Marty Fitzhenry he can tell you for sure or check you dcs companion book written by Barry Broskowitz.
alan all the answers are in there for anything or any kinds of question will be answered and well worth the money
It all depends on what you will run on the layout. One handle of the Z4000 on DCS coming through one channel of the TIU can power 5 engines. You need to calculate your power needs and plan accordingly.
Thanks for the reply but I forgot to tell you we're also using star/home run wiring concept which means we are using zones..
One Z-4000 has 2 throttles giving you the ability to run or control 2 independent loops each throttle has a max output of 10 amps. The Z-4000 also has a 10v output and a 14v output for powering accessories. There is a total max output of the Z-4000 of something like 360 watts for the entire unit. So this max output will limit your total output current across all 4 outputs.
For what it's worth, our layout has a double track main line, plus a small freight yard with switching lead, plus a fairly large steam locomotive servicing terminal. We use two Z4000 transformers to power the double track main line, with the tracks electrically cut in their middle. Thus, each Z4000 powers one of the main line tracks (left side powers the east half, while the right side powers the wast half). For the freight yard and switching lead, we use one Lionel 180 brick, and for the entire roundhouse area, we use another Lionel 180 brick. The entire layout uses two DCS TIUs, in Super Mode", powering six different "power districts", i.e. all 4 channels on one TIU and two other channels on the second TIU.
The layout operates very smoothly, in DCS, Legacy, and TMCC each & all at the same time. We do NOT do any conventional operations.
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