New MTH power supply for TIU

I retask old wall warts from discarded equipment, cost $0.0.

 

 

I do also, but many have to acquire suitable wall warts, and this beats the R-S.

another source is the transformers used to power alarm systems-- 16VAC 20W. they cost about the same as this new MTH unit will.

another source is the transformers used to power alarm systems-- 16VAC 20W. they cost about the same as this new MTH unit will.

I doubt that they would come with the correct barrel plug, as does the MTH power supply.

RJR,

    Actually I think MTH is making a good decision producing this power pack for the TIU.  In fact they should make it part of the DCS over all package, upon request. 

You can however pick up the RS 18/24 power pack for about $10.50 on the bay, if you look around a might.  I just picked up another one last month for $10.00 for my 2nd TIU.  I have always believed in powering the TIU thru the Aux port to be able to use all the TIU channels for my train running and for the full proper shut down when needed.

Glad to see MTH producing this new power supply for their TIU.

PCRR/Dave

What do you search to find it on ebay?  I tried to program a new engine the other night for hours only to realized the power to tui 1 was off, I was trying to run on tui 2.

I agree with Dave that a power pack should be included, as it would simplify a newbie's installation; I suspect powering the TIU is a major portion of problems newbie's encounter.  Given the cost of Chinese electronics, shouldn't add more a a few dollars to the TIU price.

 

If one has 3 or so TIUs, buying a small brick, like the 4 amp brick that comes with a Z500, and hooking it to feed all TIUs, would be a good way to go.

 

CORRECTION 3/22/2015:  The brick is 3 amp rating.

I don't think that was specifically designed for the TIU.  MTH has been making some DC power packs for the HO, and that was made to power a remote cdr with DC for HO.

 

It is DC so I don't know if that causes any issue with the DC aux power versus AC track power?  G

GGG, here's what MTH website says about it:

 

The ZDC24 is a small wall outlet DC power supply designed to plug into the M.T.H. DCS Remote Commander for users looking to utilize the DCS Remote Commander on HO DC model railroads or into the M.T.H. TIU auxiliary power port for those looking to power up the TIU electronics. [Italics added]

The CSA-approved power supply plugs into any standard AC wall outlet. The barrel jack connector snuggly plugs into the DCS Remote Commander receiver and outputs 16 constant voltage DC volts to the track.

Right, that is what I said or meant.    G

I just wanted to make clear to forumites that MTH says this is suitable for the TIU & its connector fits the TIU..  You were correct when you said it was designed for other uses.

George,

 

It appears to be intended as, among other things, to indeed be a source of power for the TIU itself.

I agree, I read the site before posting. 

Dave,

You can however pick up the RS 18/24 power pack for about $10.50 on the bay,

This power supply is a much better value, since it's 24 watts (which translates into 2 amps at a presumed12 volts), which is twice the power of the RS device. This device meets the spec for powering a TIU with up to 5 AIUs attached, where the RS device does not.

Not that I researched it or anything, but I didn't realize one could use either DC or AC to power the TIU.  Good to know.

 

- walt

Looks like the first thing that happens in the TIU to aux power is it goes through a bridge rectifier.  That being the case, assuming you have a totally isolated supply, you can connect AC or DC of either polarity.  I suspect if your aux power has a common with the track power, you might run into an issue, I haven't chased that down.

 

DC works just fine.. No issues.

I used MTH Z-500's to power my 3 TIUs, same money for new on ebay and you have power to spare for other stuff.

Barry believe this is 16V so 1.5A.  Since it can be used to power a HO layout via remote CDR.  G

I bought Berry's book but when I have a problem, I don't what to read over 200 pages to find the answer!!!

when I have a problem, I don't what to read over 200 pages to find the answer!!!

If you have the eBook version, you can search it using Acrobat Reader (or Acrobat). If you're using a Mac, it's also searchable using Preview.

 

If you have the print book, the table of contents is highly detailed and typically can help you find what you need.

George,

 

If it's 16 VDC at 1.5 amps, that's perfect for powering aa TIU.

GGG,

   George, I agree and sense a new RS 18/24 is now even more expensive than it was at one time, the new MTH 24 power supply is the way to go, especially for powering more than one TIU as I do most of the time now.  I might just pick one up to eliminate both my RS 18/24's, and use just the one MTH 24.  One time before I had asked Barry if I could power more than one TIU with the RS 18/24, Barry indicated that it was not a good idea, so I picked up another one this last Christmas season, off the Bay for a decent cost.  Might just sell the 2 RS Power Supplies to guys or gals who only run one TIU all the time on their layouts.

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

 

The MTH supply is intended to power only one TIU in a layout environment.

Barry,

    Did I misunderstand what George & you posted about the 24 being good for powering 5 TIU's?  Or is this a completely different power supply you are talking about, in your prior post.

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

 

I can't see where anything George posted would lead you to the conclusion that you could do that.

Barry,

    You are correct again, I misread AIU as TIU in that post, so I might as well just keep the 2 RS power supplies, bummer I was trying to gain some much needed space on my roll out power station.  I picked up another Z4K that will take up more space

on the roll out power station.  Is there a power supply that will power more than 1 TIU available some place?

PCRR/Dave

What is the advantage of powering the TIU from an external power supply, compared to using the transformer power? I have two Lionel 180 bricks, each powering two channels.

 

Joe K

Joe K,

    It does 2 things, one it gives you complete emergency shut down from your hand held, and it frees one of the Channels up completely, for train running.  Lots of people however do as you are doing, the 180 brick has the best breaker, even better than my Z4K's.  You have 2 180 Bricks, and a medium size layout, using your 4 channels, I have 2 Z4K's, 3 old ZW's & 2 old KW's, all powering many different tracks & accessories on multi levels, for operating both DCS & Legacy, using 2 different TIU's.  I want that channel free to just operate trains and I want the full emergency shut down for all the channels from the DCS HHRC.

PCRR/Dave

 

If you're only using Fixed 1 to power the tiu and a fuse blows on fixed 1, Fixed 2 will still have power  now with no dcs signal=  no control. I believe the var channels also shut down at least in var mode. 

Gregg,

I believe the var channels also shut down at least in var mode. 

That's correct.

So it sounds like having external power on the TIU will allow the emergency stop feature to always work, even if there is a derailment on fixed 1, while another train is running on channel 3 & 4 (since I have a separate transformer powering channel 3 & 4)

 

I think I will add this to my list. Just when I thought I would run out of things I needed.

 

Joe K

Just when I thought I would run out of things I needed.

Can't happen

shorling,

    How does the Z-500 set up to power 3 different TIU's, is it set up with a triple splitter some way, and running to the Aux port of each TIU, how is this set up? Or are you running directly to a TIU channel, if that is the case I will pass on this powering set up.

Can you show me a picture please?

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

 

Regarding my Z-500, I did it simple.  I have three Z-500s, one for each TIU.  They were $13.99 each on Ebay.  I could have made a splitter and it would have worked fine.  I actually have a forth which I am using to power one TIU channel for a section of Superstreets.  Also turned out that the Z-500 output is handy for powering Woodland Scenic's lighted Landmark buildings.  I use 14 VAC to power switches and accessories and 12 VDC for LED lighting. Two ZWs power the layout.

Dave,

 

I should have been more precise in my response.  A single Z-500 is connected to the External Power input of one TIU, hence one Z-500 per TIU.  I power the trains using 5 TIU variable channels and one fixed channel all connected to the ZWs.  The fixed channel powers the grade. The variable powers the loops.  The 14 VAC is a home made power supply capable of 20A.   The 12 VDC is Micromark's 33A power supply. 

If powering a TIU with DC, what should the polarity on the plug be?

John.

 

Polarity for the Aux. Power port, be it AC or DC, is only important if the same power source is also powering one or more TIU channels.

 

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Thanks, Barry. I currently am using the aux 14V on the MRC transformer that runs the two channels I'm using. I think that has the AC hot on the outer contact of the barrel plug, if I remember correctly. If I use DC, it will obviously be a different supply. I can use either 12V from the PC power supply that I use for lighting, or an HO trans former I have . That also has an 18VAC Acc tap. Is that also suitable?