How Do You Mount Your Transformer Power ?

Forgive the mess but my grandpa built this control panel. 

I am in the process of re-doing mine. Added a new top for a panel board and added a shelf down below for the Z4000's.............Paul

Scrapiron Scher posted:

... How would you/could you mount your transformers so that they are nicely displayed, off of floor level, and close to/just below your electrical panel (Legacy base/TIU/ etc.) if you have photos, please post. ...Many thanks !!!  Scrappy

 

Hi Scrappy, I had my ZWs built into the wall when I had the door moved and removed and built walls to allow for alterations to the trainroom. This arrangement has worked out perfectly  for me since the recessed shelving keeps them out of arm's reach by small children, not under-foot, free from having their handles bumped, and within easy reach and sight for me.

FrankM.

Scrappy:

I mounted all transformers, powermasters, etc. on a large shelf under the table on the long side that faces a wall, along with my power distribution center, relays and SC-2s etc. All accessable fron front as well as behind for easy wiring.

Using Legacy for all except my mini control panel for my freight yard.

Best of luck with the new Railroad project!

Stan

Stan,

Very nice and neat.

let's see some Pictures of your Layout. 

Good luck, John 

I have the transformer/ controls along the side of the layout for easy access. All the other transformers / power supplies are tucked under the overhang on the corner from the 3rd level trains.

This might not be relevant, since the goal was to keep my ZW's out of the way rather than out on display.  That's no excuse for the unfinished condition but I plan to detail out the shelving after the entire layout is wired. 

The roll out / raising shelf, originally for a boat anchor typewriter, handles the weight of 3 ZW's beautifully.  In the raised position there's ample room to access from 3 sides.  Since this picture, basic wiring to get up and running under DCS and TPC is completed.

The faux drawers hide everything and help reduce any residual hum from 60 year old windings.  Inside, there seems to be enough room to keep temperatures down without help from a fan. 

Bruce

I use 180 bricks on thin plywood on the cool basement floor

I have my transformers right up on the layout where I can easily get to them!

same here

.

Many thanks to all of you for responding. I am cataloguing the ideas and putting together some thoughts. I appreciate your time and effort.

Scrappy

A friend built this arrangement, "integrated" with the layout  (MTH Z4000 at upper right).

Eliot,

I use an old TV cart.   On top are the K-Line PowerChief-120F transformers for accessories.  Behind them are the two Lionel 180 watt Power Houses that run the layout.

From the other side, you can see (left to right) the 3 VDC wall wart, the 5 VDC power supply, and the 12 VDC power supply for all lights and accessories using Direct Current.

George

I built a rolling stand with a full shelf under it. It is the right height to go under the bench, and the wires connecting the transformers to the layout are long enough to roll the stand around. 

I took the easy route and got a transformer cart from Mianne to match my benchwork.

This is an old picture from when I was first getting setup. Things are different now, but the cart is nice and on casters as others shown here have been as well. I left the wires long enough so the cart can be swung out for easier access to the wiring and the PXS-ACs mounted on the back of the cart. I can also get under the layout here, where a lot of the wiring is located, using the Harbor Freight mechanic's stool you see just to the left of the cart.

Scrapiron:

I mounted my on a pullout shelf below the table. I used pegboard so holes were available for straps and wire.

Joe

Hi,

I mount the control panel and transformers to some wood secured to the layout with some L brackets...works great.

I like all the different ways to configure a layout control panel.

Here is mine.

This is a view of the whole control panel, TIU, AIU,iPad, and wifi for both. 

DC supply and DCC system. Switches allow changes to feeds for tracks. 

This is with the iPad light up.

I can run the layout on DCS, DC, DCC on O-gauge and ON30 and the new track S-gauge.   

I have two small old tables that were in my grandmother's house as far back as I can remember (early 1950's).  I think they were used as telephone tables.  I have a postwar ZW and a postwar KW, each of which will sit on one of the tables.  This way, I can keep those times alive in my heart.

     Hoppy

Hoppy, that is cool and I can relate to the memories,  sometimes all we have are memories. Good show. 

I cantilevered out a small shelf from the table and mounted the transformers on it.   The three knobs route any of the four power sources to the three separate routes on my layout.  They allow me to either power each one separately with AC or DC, or power all routes with one power source if I want to run a train from one route to any or all of the others.  The small DC power pack on the right is for a completely separate street car line, and the small box next to it allows me to switch the third transformer to AC or DC to any of the routes.  Really guys, it's not as complicated as my explanation!  Above all, though, it works great. 

The low shelf keeps the transformers from blocking the view, and because they're off the floor, it makes it less cluttered and easier to clean (on those rare times I actually CLEAN the floor ).

Jerry that looks great.

I have my 4 135 Lionel Bricks hanging up soon screws attached to the side of the layout,utilizing the mounting holes they have on the back of the bricks.It looks nice and provides me easy access if I have to reset one of the breakers.

Going a little off topic here,I recently got the TMCC to TCP adapter cables to join two bricks together.I ran this straight into Fixed 1.It worked fine for a couple hours,but then I started blowing fuses in my TIU. DO I need to get a couple of those TPC's?or is there something else I need to run between my bricks  or should I be able just to run this straight into the TIU?? I am going to put up a separate post on this,but I thought maybe someone here might be able to give some advice. -Thanks

Dansgnrr posted:

Jerry that looks great.

Thanks, Dan.  Yours looks very neat, especially since you use the modern electronics!  But I subscribe to the KISS principle, I use either simple AC or DC.  The most complicated thing I have is the transformer with the whistle/bell buttons!   But if you notice, each transformer is plugged into the fascia, and if I ever want to get more complicated, I can just plug that type of power into the jacks.  But did you also notice there are no switch controls?  I prefer simple ground throws which automatically route power to the tracks.  See?  Simple.

This whole thread is a lot of fun.  It's always nice to see what other guys do with their trains.  And the idea of a pull out shelf is similar to what I do with "surplus" trains that are waiting for their turn on the tracks:

Everyone,

Thanks for so many great responses to my request !! So many cool ideas.

Ace, G3750, John (WP) Your idea may work best for me as I have a ton of power to mount !!

RTR12 and Joe Fauty . . . . Many thanks !! Love that Mianne cart !! Pull out drawers are fantastic but I have 120 pounds to support so I would need multiple drawers.

DANSGNRR . . . . love the eagle !

Craignor . . . . very neat job !!

PONIAJ . . . . really like the layout

HOPPY . . . . . I loved what you road about your grandfather . . . . what great memories !!

KENNYB . . . . thanks !!

I bought an old piano bench from a local music store. Took the top off and wa-la, all three transformers AND controllers fit perfectly.

The size of these benches vary, so measure first.

Total cost = $25.00

Not being a good carpenter, I went with Mianne benchwork and used their optional transformer shelf (I opted to double it up). Gives me plenty of space for all my equipment with room to spare.

Nice Mianne shelf! I wasn't aware of those? I am a big fan of the Mianne benchwork and all their accessories, very nice stuff. My layout is also built with Mianne.