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Hello Gentlemen, I am wondering if I can just run my Lionel 135 watt power bricks directly into my TIU,without sustaining damage to any of my MTH engines. 

I bought the adapters that allow you to do this,thus cutting out the Lionel Powermaster in between the brick and TIU.I  tried it for the first time a coupe days ago,and when I took a track voltage reading,it was reading a little over 23 volts!!! 

Everything seemed to be running okay,but just as an act of caution,I unplugged it. I used to use the powermasters in between the bricks and TIU,and I still have the powermasters,but are they needed to keep the voltage down to 18-19 volts????  I guess that's why they made the powermasters,but I have heard other guys say just run the brick straight to the TIU,so I bought the adapters to bypass the powermasters. 

So what is the best way to run the bricks?With or Without the powermasters??? Thanks for any advice.-kennyb

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That's what I did. I used the adaptors as well so I didn't have to cut the plugs off the ends of the PH135 cables. I didn't use a Powermaster. I see a nice steady 18V on the tracks. Arguably the PH180 has better breakers, but I got a got a great deal on these. 

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I would suggest checking the voltage again with a load. Maybe yours are different, but I have never seen 23 volts from either of mine.

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Last edited by Gilly@N&W

The painted steel subpanel is from Hoffman. Wire trough is Panduit. Terminal blocks are MTH. All the rest are MTH (1 TIU / 3 AIU), and Lionel (TMCC Command Base and PH135s). Not shown is a MRC Dual that powers the other two TIU channels. Other than that, just a bunch of drilled and tapped 10-32 holes to mount everything.

Gilly@N&W posted:

That's what I did. I used the adaptors as well so I didn't have to cut the plugs off the ends of the PH135 cables. I didn't use a Powermaster. I see a nice steady 18V on the tracks. Arguably the PH180 has better breakers, but I got a got a great deal on these. 

PICT4732PICT4747PICT4751

I would suggest checking the voltage again with a load. Maybe yours are different, but I have never seen 23 volts from either of mine.

Thanks Gilly,I was only running the engine&tender when it said 23 volts.

I bet a passenger train with incandescent bullbs will take care of those "extra" amps right away!!!!Just wanted to be sure before Ii start runnin the wheels off the engine!!!-Thanks and Happy New Year-Kenny Baughman

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