Horn and Bell controls reversed on MTH Genset Switcher with Z-1000 in Conventional?

Steve,

For the bell and whistle to work correctly in conventional, the transformer must be wired so that Hot is on center rail and Common is on an outside rail. Reversing them reverses the bell and whistle buttons.

If you only have the two engines, one or the other is, indeed, wired incorrectly. If you are wired correctly, the MTH engine is wired wrong. If not, then the Williams is wired wrong.

Regardless, reversing the wires between the transformer and the track should also reverse the bell and whistle buttons on the transformer, as well.

Ah, you know, that's probably what it is: this was on our carpet central loop, which my kids have access to during the day when I'm out. They frequently adjust the layout and might very well have reversed the wires without me realizing it.

I did not - but should have - run the NW-2 to confirm whether or not its bell and whistle were reversed. It got to be bed time and we ran out of time. In the past, the NW-2's whistle and bells worked normally, but that was when I had wired the layout myself, making sure to run hot on the center.

I'll check it out tonight - thanks for the fast reply!

Steve

Two Words: Polarized Plugs.

Matt,

Two Words: Polarized Plugs.

Tis si a case of swapped wires, not an AC plug that's reversed.

But you can get polarized plugs for the layout side too.  We use them in Ham radio all the time.

I think the kids most likely got the wires reversed at the lockon itself, as opposed to coming out of the Z-1000 controller box. This is on a temporary tubular track layout that they play around on with other (less expensive!!) locomotives and trolleys. The Genset is only allowed to be run when Daddy is present

Steve

But you can get polarized plugs for the layout side too.  We use them in Ham radio all the time.

What kind of plugs are you referring to? The only ones that make sense would be banana plugs. I've never seen nor heard of such a plug or jack. Color coded, of course. Polarized, I don't think so.

Could you provide a specific product reference?

The only thing that I could find that calls itself a polarized banana plug is actually a BNC connector that breaks out into a color coded dual banana plug or jack.

This doesn't really appear to do anything for connecting MTH banana jack-equipped devices such as the Terminal Block, TIU, Z4000, RealTrax lockon, or Z-Controller. It's still color coding that determines polarity.

The Anderson connectors are the most popular as you can configure them for as many poles as you need, but you would make a pigtail for the power supply and one for the lockon that stay with each, and only disconnect at the connectors.  Now they are polarized and will always make sure the track is wired correctly.  I think you may of been over thinking it Barry.

I think you may of been over thinking it

No, I'm not.

I'm very familiar with the connectors that you show and they're very useful. In fact, i use them myself for quick-disconnect wiring.

However, MTH uses Banana plugs. The connectors that you show are not something that the OP could have used to prevent his problem.