Overloading a DCS track

DCS can show you track voltage but not amps. 

Yes, but that is not very useful since I am running fixed voltage.

I did have a Lionel ZW meter hooked up to do this, but wasn't sure I was getting an actual reading. Does anyone use panel AMP meters in this setup?

Well, if you're sticking to one PH180 for a channel, you'll know when you've reached the limit as the PH180 breaker will trip.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Well, if you're sticking to one PH180 for a channel, you'll know when you've reached the limit as the PH180 breaker will trip.

I like this answer.  The PH180 will protect me.  

Will it protect my engine from overheating too?  I mean, is it possible to overload the engine motor (PS2) without blowing the breaker?  If so, do I need an Amp Meter to keep me at a lower level of Amps and any recommendation on what that would be?

I think the MTH Std gauge locomotives in an MU will reach 10 amps before it reaches overload.   Since you have more than one on a single track with 10 amps available, I can't see any way that they'd overheat before the breaker would trip unless something is wrong with them.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I think the MTH Std gauge locomotives in an MU will reach 10 amps before it reaches overload.   Since you have more than one on a single track with 10 amps available, I can't see any way that they'd overheat before the breaker would trip unless something is wrong with them.

OK.  Thank you for helping.  I just want to be cautious as I plan for a long train.

Sounds like using the PH180 is a good idea.  My LHS said the same about them when I was looking into power supplies.  They said the MTH ones are good too, but I wanted the larger bricks.

George

IMO, as far as transformer bricks, the PH180 is the pick of the litter.  It has an excellent 2-stage electronic circuit breaker and an honest 180 watts of output power.