Planning on using the Powerhouse 180 to power my TIU. When the plastic end is taken off how do you know which wire is positive and which is negative. There are 3 pins going into the ZW. I think one is a dummy.
Thanks Art
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Art Lites posted:Planning on using the Powerhouse 180 to power my TIU. When the plastic end is taken off how do you know which wire is positive and which is negative. There are 3 pins going into the ZW. I think one is a dummy.
Thanks Art
An easy way to do this is buy an adapter cable.. I bought one on eBay from ModelMain Train Works, works fine.. To answer your question, to 'roll your own': looking at the plug with the 'v' shape down, the upper pin is negative and the lower (middle) pin is positive.. The bottom pin is the dummy..
Whew - I thought you were asking about its attributes. As far as we know, there are no 'negatives' to the PH 180!
c.sam posted:Whew - I thought you were asking about its attributes. As far as we know, there are no 'negatives' to the PH 180!
I agree.. Don't know of any negatives either..
To connect Positive and "common" wires from PH 180 to TIU, I agree with WOODSON that the easiest way is to get an adapter cable like this;
pic from cttrains.com
If you are going to roll your own...
The opening nearest the V is Empty (no metal pin there)
The middle opening is Hot or (red)
The bottom opening is Neutral or (black ground)
On the wires from the transformer - HOT or (red) is the Smooth wire
On the wires from the transformer - NEUTRAL or (black ground) is the Ribbed wire.
Dave
CT McCormick Hardware also has the adapters and there have been posts here listing the parts needed to make you own if you desire to do so. I think the needed parts have been posted in multiple threads.
Thanks for the info on adaptors and the smooth and ribbed. For you EE types let me educate you. There are several negatives to the PH180 Both the power light and the reset button wear out,
