How much can TIU handle?

Of course. TIU's are rated at 10 amps per channel, and have internal 20 amp fuses on each channel. 

Rod

As Rod said, not a problem, IMO, the best possible setup available. I have one PH-180 on each fixed TIU channel right now. With 2 more PH-180s waiting for the variable channels. That is, if I ever get going on my layout expansion...

I agree.  I would note that, depending on what you run on each channel, a PH-180 can power more than one channel.  I have one powering 2 channels, each of which feeds a yard area where, usually, only one loco would be moving at a time.

rtr12 posted:

As Rod said, not a problem, IMO, the best possible setup available. I have one PH-180 on each fixed TIU channel right now. With 2 more PH-180s waiting for the variable channels. That is, if I ever get going on my layout expansion...

I wonder why MTH didn't make a 180 watt power supply to feed the TIU? I guess they want you to buy two Z4000's? They couldn't possibly want you to buy Lionel bricks...

George

Thanks everyone! Appreciate your feedback!

RJR - What is this easiest way to split between the two channels? Probably something simple but my brain is not working right now! 

Joe Gozzo

2 jumper wires ?

red to red, black to black?

If you're talking input power, I just wire the inputs in parallel to one transformer.

If you're talking about the outputs, you can't share the outputs.

Inputs only.  Black to black; red to red. 

Incidentally, I recommend jumpering all output blacks [ONLY], regardless of how the inputs are fed, for other reasons (not necessary if you have one of the priginals Rev G TIUs)..

George S posted:

rtr12 posted:

As Rod said, not a problem, IMO, the best possible setup available. I have one PH-180 on each fixed TIU channel right now. With 2 more PH-180s waiting for the variable channels. That is, if I ever get going on my layout expansion...

I wonder why MTH didn't make a 180 watt power supply to feed the TIU? I guess they want you to buy two Z4000's? They couldn't possibly want you to buy Lionel bricks...

George

Good question?  IMO, Lionel's PH-180s would be really hard to beat for price, great breakers, value (watts per dollar), etc. 

It appears that a year or more ago, Lionel had to find another manufacturer for te PH-180, and I've heard they had some problems with the first off the line.

I have eight of the original ones, including ones with phase problems. I fixed two. I should have left them for collector value .🤣 I also have two MTH 1000’s.

George

RJR posted:

It appears that a year or more ago, Lionel had to find another manufacturer for te PH-180, and I've heard they had some problems with the first off the line.

I wonder if there are date codes for the ones with issues?

Joe Gozzo

Thank you all for your input. Much appreciated!!

Joe Gozzo

Well, if they're the new ones, the date codes will be 2019 or later I would imagine.  Since they were out of production for a number of years, any earlier ones are not from the new production.

Makes me wonder what the problems were? Is lionel still repairing the ones that were sold?

Joe Gozzo

Remember, it was hearsay that they had problems with the new mfr.  I have one of the older ones and, based on my experience, it you are running DCS, it is by far the best power source for the channel inputs.  I wouldn't have the slightest reluctance to buy a new one now, if I needed one.

I don't believe Lionel fixes the PH180, at least I remember that being discussed here.  I've fixed a couple, but that's different.

My newest ones are from 2017, also after a long wait for them to be re-stocked. Looks like I lucked out on the problem batch, hopefully anyway.  But, I would not hesitate to buy a new PH-180, if I ever happen to need another one. I would imagine Lionel would take care of any problems with a new one, as long as the problems were discovered during the warranty period. 

I had 2 more PH180s on order a while back (2 years?). They took a long time to arrive. I was told that Lionel was out and had to make more.

They've been good so far with no issues yet.