Enough Power to TIU?

Paul,

The hobby shop I bought the TIU said that an MTH 500 brick is enough to power the TIU (only running one train on each track). 

Maybe, if you're only running one short freight train with, perhaps, an illuminated caboose, total.

 Is this enough power for 4 trains running at the same time?

Absolutely not - not even close! You might manage to run a second train but, again, nothing with lots of lights or lots of cars.

Barry - how about a Z1000 brick?

Paul

Paul,

how about a Z1000 brick?

That would allow you to run 2 trains, with a few lighted passenger cars, or maybe 3 short freights. It all comes down to how many amps your stuff draws.

Uhh... where do you get 10 amps from Barry?  When I look at 100 watts at 18 volts, I'm having a real problem coming up with 10 amps!  My Lionel PowerHouse 180 bricks put out 10 amps, but I can't imagine a 100 watt transformer at the same voltage doing it.

John,

Where did I say that? Look harder!

Creative editing.

Paul,

The hobby shop I bought the TIU said that an MTH 500 brick is enough to power the TIU

There may have been a miss understanding about the above statement.

You can plug the Z-500 into the Auxiliary port of the TIU to power it, but you still have to use another power source for the INPUTS of the TIU to get power to the tracks unless using Passive mode. But you would still need another power source with that too.

The TIU can be powered using FIXED 1 or the AUXILIARY.

Joe & Barry - what I originally questioned is the power for the TIU (power to the auxiliary port) - not the transformer power going into the input ports.  

That being clarified - is a Z500 brick enough for the power to the aux. port to power the TIU???

Paul

That's the way I understood your question, Paul, and the answer is "yes" you can use a Z500 brick to power the TIU through the auxiliary power port.  It provides enough power..probably more than enough.  That's how I power my TIU.

Of course, you still need power for the trains, and in my case that comes from a Z4000 transformer, which is more than adequate for my modest-size layout.

Yes, A Z-500 is far more than needed to Aux Power the TIU, not a bad choice if you want solid power and a UL listing tho.

Paul,

That being clarified - is a Z500 brick enough for the power to the aux. port to power the TIU???

It is a recommended transformer by MTH for powering the TIU by Auxiliary power.

Actually the Z-500 is enough to power at least 2 TIU being that it puts out 3 amps at 18 volts.

Thanx guys - your input was greatly appreciated!!!

Paul

So how does one wire up the "aux port"?  The instructions say not to use the ones so marked do they not?  Thanks

So how does one wire up the "aux port"?

Just plug the Z-500/750/1000 into the port using the plug attached to the transformer.

The instructions say not to use the ones so marked do they not? 

What instructions? What's "so marked"?

barry or John,  since im doing this also,  what is the purpose of just powering the TIU? if you can get it to power up with input 1?  does it keep the TIU stable operation?  Sure wish you could just plug in the Z's right into the TIU on all inputs!  or include the pigtails with the TIU!! 

I use the aux port when I carry the TIU to the computer for any updates.  Normally, I just power it through channel 1.  I seem to remember there was some stated advantage to powering it with aux power, but I haven't noticed any issues my way.

Page 92 of Barry's book details the advantages of aux power, there are some after all.

Powering through the auxiliary port permits TIU to continue working and controlling locos on Fixed 2 and Variables 1 & 2 even if you cut power to Fixed 1.  Otherwise, they will be uncontrollable.

If you run con ventional through Fixed 1, powering through auxiliary port is a must, since you might be cutting down the input voltage to Fixed 1 via a Z4k receiver of any transformer handle.

Here's the slight advantage using an aux power supply... If you're using fixed 1 only to power the tiu and you blow a fuse on fixed 1 the tiu turns 'off. no big deal , fixed 1 is now dead , so are the var channels whether in fixed or var mode. However fixed 2 is the problem.Since it's a straight through connection you still have full voltage to the track now with no dcs signal. With no  control  the engine carries on with the last command given.

The aux power supply keeps the tiu turned ON if fixed 1 goes down.

Chris,

   Rich does a real nice visual job with this on the PGR DCS Video guide, showing the power supply and the aux port on the TIU, so there is no mistake, setting it up.

I really like the DCS Video guide for a lot of different reasons, its well worth the purchase money.

PCRR/Dave

I was really under the impression that power to the aux. port was a must.  By doing so it turns on the little red light in the TIU.  It's been working fine for me - like I said I run 2 loops of track in DCS mode (fixed port) and one loop in conventional mode (variable port).

Is it possible to run both DCS and conventional engines on the same track? 

Yes, it is possible.  Have the conventional train heavier than the DCS train, so you have to keep the voltage higher.  You can always slow down the DCS train via DCS without slowing the other.

Over the years, I have found I run conventional locos rarely, because DCS is so much more fun.

RJR - I find running DCS more fun too - seldom run conventional but I was just curious if it could be done -

thanx