Powerhouse lockon

The TMCC Direct Lockon is ONLY designed to run with constant power for command operation.  It does not function below about 10-11 volts, and you'll simply lose track power.

There are better ways to protect your locomotives.

So is the better way to use an inline fuse (ex.10amp) and forget about the PH Lockon altogether ?

The PowerHouse 180 has an excellent circuit breaker, I've felt no need to augment it.  I'd just add a TVS suppression diode across the track feeds and run trains, that's what I do.

Well, you got me again. What is a TVS suppression diode, what does it do, how many do I need & where exactly do they go?

The TVS diode protects against voltage spikes caused by collapsing electromagnetic fields generated by the layout (relays, solenoids, motors, derailments etc).

A short video about those spikes:

Since the source is layout side, you want the protection layout side. Many people put them on the track, others put them on the output terminals of the transformer, and some do both!

With a ZW, it is easy to take 4 TVS diodes, shape them like this so they wrap around the binding posts, (A-U, B-U, C-U, D-U).

For our trains we recommend two models of TVS:

For power supplies in excess of 18VAC use the 1.5KE36Ca diodes.

If you only use supplies that are limited to 18 VAC then you could get by with 1.5KE33Ca diodes.

This is the first time I've heard that there is a need for these diodes. So I just can't plug my 2 180 watt bricks or my Z4000 into my TIU?

Your TIUs have TVS Diodes built in - some say they are sufficient but the addition of more TVS diodes won't hurt and can only help. You should know that there is a service bulletin for TIUs regarding some suspect TVS related issues:

https://ogrforum.com/...ion-service-bulletin

I guess I need to digest this.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

The TMCC Direct Lockon is ONLY designed to run with constant power for command operation.  It does not function below about 10-11 volts, and you'll simply lose track power

I had never known about that before. That explains Mom's train jackrabbit starting after my brother took off with the command control, lol. You saved me (cost me ) a day on Moms carpet I bet.

ironman1 posted:

I guess I need to digest this.

Not really, they are cheap additional insurance, not a plan changer.

 Continue with whatever plans you have so far for command and just pickup extras before you plan your next huge derailment

You could go nuts and add them to each each loco and accessory, or just one per throttle, block. ..

. Mine has had PLENTY of derails without them.   BUT.. I don't care about the command either. 

 If one toasts, I'll bypass the command happily.

oops....I forgot I do have one on one track now, but thats it.