Need help with my electrical setup

I think there be some posts that will help you. I would go with the Lionel 180 watt Powerhouse bricks if you are going to run in command control.

 I use them and like the clean power and fast protection.

 I don't believe the Lionel stuff will work on connections to the Atlas track? I believe you'll either need Atlas track connections, or just solder the wires on.

I run mainly MTH so I'm not the guy to help much with Lionel. Good stuff though.

There are also powerhouse 135 bricks that maybe less expensive? The 180's match my DCS TIU's 10 amp inputs best.

The powermaster is a Lionel product for track control and protection (I believe?)

You don't have to use them in command mode.

I believe the CW80 is more of a basic, entry level transformer used in conventional track control.

you only need the power master if you want to run conventional engines otherwise the 990 legacy command base will run the engine you have.

I also recommend the Lionel 180 watt brick you cannot beat it for power or price point!

if you can get the atlas prewired terminal track joiners you can get some metal solderless pins and connect the atlas terminal wires to them and then insert the pin into the Lionel power cord it works well.

or if a local hobby shop has it in stock they have a wired cable setup that connects to the 180 watt brick 3 pronged connector and the other ends are ready to connect to track either solder direct or use the atlas terminal connectors with wires connected to Lionel power wire.

Thanks, so the 180w powerhouse connected to the 990 is enough, how do I  connect to my track, can I get the Lionel hook-on or anything else you can suggest ?

Hi STPAUL, 

thanks

are these the atlas terminal connectors you mention ?

https://mrmuffinstrains.com/co...s-1/products/ao-6090

Edward:

Basically you connect pairs of power/ground wires from the transformer or powermaster to various track on the  layout. Opinion on how and where to make the connections are numerous. All are sound. I connect power/ground before and after every turnout and every 4 feet of regular track. I also alternate ground connection to both outside tracks or simply connect to both so I don't have to depend on the train trucks for the connection (overkill). The easiest way to connect multiple power/ground wires from your transformer is to connect one pair of heavy wire set (12-14 gauge) from the transformer to a terminal and then branch out from there to the track . Types of terminals include MTH 12/24 post (expensive), Miniatronics 12 post (cheaper), ACE/Home Depot standard terminals or European style (what I use).

Fastest way is to connect power/ground is to use Atlas O rail joiners that come with wires already attached or to simply solder your own. However the rail joiners are prone to loosening up as you will soon see when you start connecting track together. I have gotten around this by using a product called split jaw connector - see photos below. They take a little work. You have to ask for connectors shaved off a bit so they fit in-between the Atlas O rail ties. You also have to remove the plastic underneath the rail you want to attach the connector to (10 seconds with a razor saw and you are done). However the end result is a rock solid electrical connection. The size of the crimp connect will allow you to use up to 16 gauge wire if you want. The last picture below shows how I set up the connection. I go from a 18 gauge wire to a wire ferrule then crimp to the female crimp connect that comes with the connectors. Even with the above 'hassle' I like this method better than soldering wire to the rails.

Joe

I connected power to my Atlas track like Alex did here in his build thread. Here's a detailed list of the parts he used. This worked great for me, it's easy and also easy to change if you should decide to do so. His build thread (first link above) also has some more good tips on using Atlas track.

I also use the Lionel Powerhouse 180s to power my layout. Best source of command control power out there, IMO. They also have great breakers. Lionel has a wiring adapter set (bare wires on one end) for connecting your PH-180 to the track. Some folks just cut the plug off, I chose to use adapters to keep my PH-180s with their factory connectors. As StPaul says above, you only need the Powermaster if yuo want to run conventional.

Yep - I read through Alex's procedure. It is a lot easier than mine. I like it.

Joe

Good info in Atlas track thread. use it - you'll be glad you did.

You can make your own adapter with female molex connector for the Lionel powerhouse.

Digikey has fair prices and low shipping.

Connector

Pin

Center is hot, bottom is Common, triangle is index only.

Model Structures posted:

Yep - I read through Alex's procedure. It is a lot easier than mine. I like it.

Joe

I was really impressed with Alex's build thread and layout too! I think he had it all figured out quite well. I was really glad I found it before I started powering my layout too. I used several of his other tips, but the power connections are my favorite! I have changed a few things already and with his connection methods it was really a simple thing to do. Don't think I would have never come p with that in my own. Anyway, if you can't already tell, I was very impressed with Alex's techniques and also very glad he took the time to share them here with the forum. 

Really Supised that unless I am not looking correctly there isn't any source for a simple step by step guide after a few years of staring at track and engine,I'm now desperate to set this up.

hopefull yfinal questions please.

i now have Lionel 990 and power house 180. Seems simple a question but how do I connect to atlas 3 rail ? I have a rail cable which I can connect To the  990 binding post cable but what do I connect it ? Middle rail ? Outside rail ?

then the powerhouse 180 connects to what ?  Thought the engine was powered by the middle rail only.

help... a few hours of searching for a simple guide proved unsuccessful 

Edward,

Here is a diagram that may or may not help.  This is based on your collection consisting of only Legacy (or TMCC) engines.  This setup will not run a conventional engine (you need to add a PowerMaster for that).  If you ever decide to add DCS, then we will need a different setup.  Click on image to make it bigger to read it.

Thanks Ron, very helpful, my saga continues

Lionel 990 now set up along with the powerhouse, it controls lights, horn etc but no movement, it moves a quarter of an inch, stops and the cab lights flash continuously,I really hope after 2 years that my engine isn't faulty. I tried switching to PGM then set on 990 and 1 but it is still not moving

any suggestions very welcome, if not I'll have to call Lionel on Monday 

Does your engine just need to be reprogrammed to restore features?  This involves moving to the PROG switch, entering ENG ID and pressing the SET button.  Your engine manual will describe the steps more fully.  

loscipresses posted:

Hi STPAUL, 

thanks

are these the atlas terminal connectors you mention ?

https://mrmuffinstrains.com/co...s-1/products/ao-6090

yes the atlas rail joiners you had posted in reply is correct.

one other suggestion is to drill a small hole and insert a screw with a crimped on eyelet or you can simply insert wire and then screw it into tack rails so many ways to do it your choice.

here is a diagram if you want to wire from 180 w brick to a Lionel TPC and also wire in a DCS TIU at a latter date the TPC allows you to run either in command control or conventional and yes you can still use the

cab-2 remote to run conventional I do it all the time. to add the legacy 990 just add the one wire to the common wire of terminal strip and all common rails will get the command signal the diagram shows 2 transformers but the idea is same.

fyi the ribbed wire at the connector plug from 180w brick is the common wire the connector has a v shaped end from that end the hot wire is the second hole with the common ribbed wire being the 3rd hole from that v shape the 1st hole is left empty. if you get some solder less pins of correct size you can make your own power wires from that v shaped plug to a multi terminal strip and then run wires to both hot/common rails on track.

hope this helps you 

loscipresses posted:

Thanks Ron, very helpful, my saga continues

Lionel 990 now set up along with the powerhouse, it controls lights, horn etc but no movement, it moves a quarter of an inch, stops and the cab lights flash continuously,I really hope after 2 years that my engine isn't faulty. I tried switching to PGM then set on 990 and 1 but it is still not moving

any suggestions very welcome, if not I'll have to call Lionel on Monday 

Edward:

Any chance you are trying to start the engine underneath overhead track?

Also did you remember to connect the ground wire from the command base to an outside rail on the track? This wire carries the command signals to the locomotives.

Also check out these Lionel videos - they are dated but still very accurate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsS8b7mnGuU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAK7uNwzxY0

All of Lionel's videos are here - https://www.youtube.com/user/LIONELCS2011/videos

Joe

Hi joe, I have a single piece of track, Lionel 990 set to legacy mode, tried resetting using most of the codes (doesn't seem to be one specific for my ac6000). Everything does as expected until I try and move the engine, then the brass part on the rear of the engine spins and then the engine stops and the cab starts blinking again. No idea it was this difficult to get the engine to move..

i have seen a small amount of smoke a few times coming from under the engine (smoke is turned off so I know it's not that) I guess it's a call to Lionel to see if they will help me tomorrow morning.

OUCH!  If you get smoke without the smoke unit, STOP trying to run it and get it fixed!

Edwars:

John is right. You need to send the locomotive in for repair. Smoke means something is burning up inside. If you bought it new and it is under warranty contact and send directly to Lionel (they don't do out of warranty repairs anymore). If you bought used, have a drink, chalk it up to experience then send to a repair shop like John's.

Hi joe, I'm in Florida so no local options, moral of the story is never buy an engine unless you have the means to test it, after 3 years of keeping the engine boxed it doesn't work! What I still don't get is on page 31 it says should press "reset' to restore engine to factory but I cannot Inc any reset button on the engine or the Lionel 990. If you have any suggestion o who is recommended for repair let me know, I don't like the idea of keep trying to reset it as if it's electrical fault I may be causing more damage

Once you see smoke, it's too late for any "reset", it's going to require "repair" at this point.

Edward:

Since you are on the east coast start with GunrunnerJohn. If John does not work on Lionel then he will know someone who does.

Joe