MTH dcs explorer

I don’t know much about conventional control wiring, but for the DCS Explorer or other command control you need to not just get power all over the layout but the data signal too. If you have three DCS Explorer units, each one will only send data to the train on the portion of track it’s on.

You’d probably be best off wiring all of your track to the one DCS Explorer. If you use multiple units, it would cause a lot of headaches.

The DCS explorer only handles six amps maximum, and the power must go through the Explorer.  For three tracks, I'd really hold out for a full DCS system, either the current TIU/Remote or the someday to be produced new TIU with WiFi capability.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The DCS explorer only handles six amps maximum, and the power must go through the Explorer.  For three tracks, I'd really hold out for a full DCS system, either the current TIU/Remote or the someday to be produced new TIU with WiFi capability.

Do we know when this is coming? I’ve been planning on buying the new stuff since they announced it. I’m convinced if I run my DCS Explorer with a Z750 the 24 volts will damage it and some forum people say a Z1000 can damage it due to having a 6 amp fuse versus the DCS Explorer’s 5 amp max. Apparently that’s the way to go though because so many people here seem to do it without issue.

The older Z750's had a 21 Volt output which is fine for most things but a lot of Lionel stuff is recommended to run at 19 Volts or less. The later Z750 bricks will only crank out 18 Volts. The Z1000 brick at 6 amps won't harm anything, I use the Lionel PH180 bricks which output 10 amps. I would suggest that using TVS Diodes to protect your layout from voltage spikes that can occur with derailments. TVS protection goes a long way to protect sensitive electronics.

Thank you all for the replies and insights;  really helpful!