How much power is enough or can you ever really have enough power?

I use Lionel PH-180 bricks for power, they output a little over 18 volts (no adjustment) and everything works fine. I believe Lionel warns against more than 19 volts on their command engines so I would stay under that. I don't have a ZW-L so I don't know what voltage those will output, but I imagine it would be less than 19 volts since they make them for their own equipment? 

18 volts is a good number at the track. If your engines are running too slow at that voltage you might want to check the track voltage with a voltmeter while your trains are running. You may be losing voltage if the wire gauge is too small or the runs are too long.

Pete

14 volts is at the low end for DCS.  If you are showing 14 volts at the transformer outlet, for sure you are not getting 14 volts at the loco.  Use an AC voltmeter.  With locos running, check output at transformer, and then on track near a running loco.

Command is meant for voltage btw 16-19. 18 is bingo. (Smoke works better too.) As mentioned above, check voltage at track in several spots. 

The ZW-L, being designed by Lionel, should certainly be compatible with Lionel locomotives at full throttle.  I measured 18.2 VAC at full throttle from one at the Henning's Trains store, I think that's probably typical.

If im not mistaken the ZW-L is rated at 180 watts per channel so you get 10 amps to the track at 18volts. 10 is about as much as I would ever want on my tracks as any more would start welding things to other things in a derailment situation. If you are running command then turn up the ZW-L's all the way. As for overload on 6 locos if your running smoke and all the goodies under a long train I cant see one loco pulling more than 2.5 to 3 amps max but usually a bit less, so three locos on the same track would be between 7 and 9 amps at is max sou you shouldn't be overloading. I suspect some other issue is causing overload

GREAT help here.  I would conclude I am turning it up high enough at this time.  Will move it up higher and see what I get.

THANK YOU,

John

4 locos X 2.5 amps+/loco = 10+ amps. if he is running 4 of those locos off one throttle than that may be the problem. 

A few years back I was running at 14V.  All PS2 MTH engines.  I used that voltage because 2 of the trains were passenger trains and 14V kept the lights dimmer in the cars.  The engines SEEMED to run fine.

However, I noticed that if I ran them long enough an engine would get warm, and if I kept running it, it would not run as well, eventually in one case just shutting down.

I was told by an MTH authorized person that 14V was putting too much strain on the boards or something, to maintain the speed that I had it set for.  I upped to 18V and have never had the issue again.

I stay at 17-18 now.

- walt

I am actually using 7 of the 8 handles disbursed around the layout.

walt rapp posted:

I stay at 17-18 now.

The very reason I like the PH180 bricks.  Great circuit breaker and optimum voltage output for command operation.

I recall some discussion by Mike R. and Marty about the ZW-L before it's delivery at a Legacy meeting in York. It has dynamic power management. Not a straight 4 channels at 10amps each. That could possibly have some impact.

The other thought that comes to mind is the power distribution wiring scheme or how you are supplying the power. Did you use 12 to the TIU and distribution blocks with 16awg for track feeds or 14awg all around?

I would guesstimate the 6 engines at 2amps load each for a total of 12 amps when they are all running. Could be more if you have a Big Boy.

Carl, I am not sure I understand your "12 to the TIU."  Before the rewire of my layout, and using a much thicker wire than before I was also using a Z4000 and 2 older ZW with the 135 bricks.  In order to make life simpler I now have all track power on the ZW-L's, got rid of the Z4000, and use the 135 bricks to power the relays, signals and accessories.

jbmccormick posted:

All,

I only run command engines, be they MTH, Lionel, Atlas, or K-line.  When setting the power on my 2 ZW-L's throttles what do you recommend and why?  My ZW-Ls are only powering the track, no accessories so is there a downside to turning them all the way up?

Also, I have noted that sometimes there seems to be overload when I have 6 running engines on the various tracks, no passenger cars, would turning up the power help in this regard?  I thought I read somewhere perhaps long ago that ideally you operate your trains from 14-16 volts. 

thanks,

John

John,

We normally go a little over 16 volts, been worried that 18 volts in some cars might melt the plastic and 16 volts seems to give the locomotives plenty of spare voltage if needed on our flat layout. 14 volts in command seems low with any load attached. I'd venture in images of Lionel engines billowing smoke they are operating at 18V.

In the one-gauge DCS  world I run 24V DC @ 25 amps available. Same ps2 or ps3 boards as o gauge uses. PS2 boards would start acting up at 35V. The high amps doesn't really matter as I fuse it as to what the layout demands. If I'm running a light load then fuse it at 10amps. If I have lighted passenger cars and the load is 20 amps then use a 25 amp fuse.

Guys,

More power - that fixed it.  I was able to run 8 engines at the same time last night and had a really really pleasant time.  Thanks for the help!!!

John