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Hi, All. New to the forum and model trains as well so please excuse any mistakes I make when asking questions.

Current setup:
DCS Command Control
Realtrax track
Approximately 8x10 oval layout
z1000 transformer for track power with 10amp quick blow fuse between transformer hot and TIU Fixed Input 1.
WIU and iPad with Premium version of MTH App.
14 gauge stranded wiring for track power.


Additions:
- Realtrax switch to create a siding (with more switches to come)
- MTH 12 port terminal block for additional lock-on connections
- MTH 12 port terminal block for switch/accessory connections
- AIU with 4amp quick blow fuse between accessory power hot and terminal block
- 18 gauge stranded speaker wire for switches/accessories.

After reading Barry's DCS 3rd edition book and browsing the forums here I think I have three questions at this point:

1. Considering the z1000 is currently the only transformer in the layout is there any reason (or is it even possible) to phase the main power and accessory power of the same transformer?

2. I've seen a number of suggestions regarding using the track common for switches and accessories. I think page 178 of Barry's book is telling me I can run a common wire between the two terminal blocks to accomplish this. Is there anything I'm missing? If so, could I just do this at the inputs of the terminal blocks to save one of the ports on each of the blocks?

3. If we needed additional power at a spot on the oval I just need to insulate the middle rail and add another lockon while maintaining the common connection as well, correct?

Thanks in advance for the assistance. My 5-year son is the reason for this new found hobby, but the more I learn the more I'm enjoying it myself.

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Update - I tried the above without phasing the power, but I did run the common wire between the black inputs of the two terminal blocks. Had roughly an 18v signal across the whole track according to the DCS app, but blew the 10amp quick fuse when trying to reverse the engine back across the switch. Thoughts?

1. The Z-1000 brick main power output is internally connected to its "COM" 14V Accessory screw-terminal.   So the main track voltage and the 14V AC Accessory voltage are already phased.

2.  See above.  They are already connected.  But there is no harm in redundantly connecting the two Blacks of the terminal strips.  This assumes of course that on the Z-1000 track voltage you are using, say, the MTH adapter cable with color-coded banana jacks (red/black)...and that on the Z-1000 Acc output you are connecting "HOT" screw terminal to Red and "COM" screw-terminal to Black.

adapter cable

3. Not sure I understand what you're asking. Adding a lockon in itself does not add power. If the "new" lockon is coming from the terminal strip (as you suggest), this could make for a better electrical connection and possibly better DCS communications … but does not provide more power per se.  If you're talking about a 2nd Z-1000 brick that's another story. 

As for the fuse blowing when reversing the engine.  It's unclear if you're suggesting this only happens when you run a wire between the two black inputs of the two terminal strips?  That would be very curious indeed.  But if the fuse is OK going forward, but only blows in reverse it seems this is some kind of mechanically induced electrical short.  Do you have more than 1 engine, and if so does it do this with all engines?

 

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  • adapter cable

STAN2004 - The fuse blows only when going in the direction of the green arrow (happens going forward or reverse the same direction) on the attachment. The other three directions through the switch work okay. The red dots are where the track lockons sit. The non-derailment feature works from both sides of the track split. I haven't tried it without the black common wire between the two black terminal block inputs, but can do so if you think it might help. We only have one engine at the moment with another expected at the beginning of February.

MOONMAN - The z-1000 controller isn't included. I am using the barrel jack adapter from the transformer to the fixed input 1 of the tiu. Then there's red and black banana plugs connected from fixed output 1 of the tiu to the track terminal board. This is the only way I've tried it.

Attachments

Images (1)
  • track

BTC - okay - so, I assume that the MTH adaptor was used to convert the barrel to the banana plugs into the TIU?

Some have said that track power barrel connector from the Z - bricks has HOT on the outside and COMMON on the center pin. This gets reversed when plugged directly into the ACC power port of the TIU or by using the adaptor. I can't confirm it.

Which leads back to the reason of asking about the adaptor use. If you cut the barrel off, track power and the ACC power could be out of phase.

So, I should've caught this before, but the rail connections between the switch and the attached piece didn't completely align. One was just proud enough to knock the train off when coming from that one direction. This being my first time I just assumed I wired something incorrectly. Thanks again for the assistance.

Good news! 

It started sounding more like a switch issue - RealTrax tip - when you can - hold the pieces in a V when connecting them together having the rails ends nearly touching - then begin to fold the V flat and press the two pieces together 

You'll find this smoothly connects the tracks and aligns the rails. The last few pieces to close a loop are a pain, so, I just elevate each enough to begin to make the connection by putting my hands away from the joint. This still works better than a flat lateral push together.

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