Lionel Fastrack Power

Assuming you are running all LionChief, then yes.

I am, and thanks for such a fast reply!

I'd recommend placing the power feeds at opposite ends of the layout.  That way, you're making sure that each end has adequate power.

Hope this helps!

Mitch

Will do, appreciate the input!!

Tim

Make sure to isolate the track between the two power blocks. Fastrack has two pieces, 1 3/8” and 5” isolated block, that will separate the center rails. You don’t want to apply too much voltage to the track and damage your engines.

He is only adding a second power track, so no need to isolate. A second power pack should be isolated, but would not increase any voltage.

@John H posted:

He is only adding a second power track, so no need to isolate. A second power pack should be isolated, but would not increase any voltage.

@R Timothy posted:

... I was curious if I could use a second fastrack power track with the power pack it comes with to increase the power on my layout?

@Keith Crook 020419 posted:

Make sure to isolate the track between the two power blocks. Fastrack has two pieces, 1 3/8” and 5” isolated block, that will separate the center rails. You don’t want to apply too much voltage to the track and damage your engines.

He will be adding power(watts), not voltage, in this parallel scheme. No need to isolate for these power levels.

@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

I'd recommend placing the power feeds at opposite ends of the layout.  T

Mitch is right - place each pack at distance on the layout to enhance power distribution.

Just to be clear, do I need to isolate, and if I do do I need to block on two sides of the track.

@R Timothy posted:

Just to be clear, do I need to isolate,

No. Plug and Play.

@ADCX Rob posted:

No. Plug and Play.

Rob, could you pls post a schematic of your recommendation vs. what shouldn't be done as this discussion isn't clear to me?  Thanks!

@Allegheny posted:

Rob, could you pls post a schematic ...

Well, there really isn't anything fancy about parallel LionChief power supplies, but here is a pictorial. The wall wart diagram is simplified for clarity and doesn't show any circuit protection, regulation, or filtering.  This shows three terminal sections, which should be distributed evenly over larger layouts(could even be in different rooms for a large carpet layout wandering through the house).  Once one trips due to a nearby short, the others will soon follow in most cases until the short is cleared.

@ADCX Rob posted:

Well, there really isn't anything fancy about parallel LionChief power supplies, but here is a pictorial. The wall wart diagram is simplified for clarity and doesn't show any circuit protection, regulation, or filtering.  This shows three terminal sections, which should be distributed evenly over larger layouts(could even be in different rooms for a large carpet layout wandering through the house).  Once one trips due to a nearby short, the others will soon follow in most cases until the short is cleared.

Rob, Thank you very much for the clarification.  For whatever reason, the discussion wasn't making sense and thus the request for the schematic. 

Just curious as to why this works without any isolated blocks?  Is it due to the fact that the power coming in is DC instead of AC?

@graz posted:

Just curious as to why this works without any isolated blocks?  Is it due to the fact that the power coming in is DC instead of AC?

It would work with AC as well, except the extra steps of maintaining phase on the primary side for each power supply would have to be taken.

@graz posted:

Just curious as to why this works without any isolated blocks?  Is it due to the fact that the power coming in is DC instead of AC?

No, it's because you're using power supplies with identical outputs.  Each one makes sure that + goes to one rail and - goes to the others, so there are no short circuits to worry about. 

Mitch

Rob and Mitch,

Thanks for the insight. I had never realized that.

So does this (far fetched) scenario work the same?

Large, single loop layout

Flat - no grades

Planned to break it up into multiple blocks to ensure adequate power if I were to run multiple trains following each other around the loop.

Trains will all be weighted to run at the same speed so none will overtake the other.

AC xformers for power but won't be adjusted. Just switched on or off via. a switch.

In this scenario would I not need to incorporate those block breaks and could just connect multiple AC xformers if they were all set at the same voltage?

How does the phasing come into play beyond the blades of the plugs being aligned the same way?

Thanks,

This should be of assistance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znIg27LU2HU

Mitch