Powering the Explorer MTH 50-1035?

MTH doesn't offer a power source for this. 

It is meant to be powered with an AC power supply such as: Z-500, Z-750 or Z-1000 which they do not have in stock, and will not until Aug 2018. 

OR:

A DC wall wart power supply, similar to what is in the starter sets.  Again, MTH does not have or sell these.  You can use any generic DC power supply that meets the requirements on the side of the explorer.  I ran my xmas layout with an old power supply from a router.

The red and black banana plugs go out to the track.

Would this power supply work too?

12V DC 2 Amp (24 Watts) wall-wart to power the unit but powering my layout with my transformer?

Can anyone help out with the questions above?

Thank you.

Charles, the power in receptacle that is on your explorer unit is meant to take the same power that you use for powering your train.  If you use AC power for your train, then AC power needs to be applied there.  The power goes through the explorer like a TIU, but adds the DCS signal on the way out to the track. 

So, I can power the MTH 50-1035 with a Z500 or Z1000 power pack and as you stated it adds the DCS signal to the track but I won't able to power my layout with my MRC transformer...?

Were you using the MRC power before to power your track, or is it something you have never used before?

I'm using the MRC transformer to power my layout and would like to add the MTH 50-1035 unit.

Charles, I looked up the MRC power supply you mentioned above and Yes you can use it for powering your MTH Explorer and your train, if you are running trains that use AC power.

I think my questions were confusing. What I'm asking is can I power the  MTH Explorer unit connecting the red/black leads directly to the track only? 

The MTH Explorer unit goes between the MRC and the track.

TRANSFORMER  --->>>>>   MTH EXPLORER --->>>>>  TRACK

So, I will need a barrel connector with two leads for the Transformer to the MTH Explorer...correct?

Okay, I get what you mean now.  That would be called passive mode. I am not sure if this would work or not as I haven't tested this device yet.  The manual does not mention anything about it either.

Charlesp34 posted:

Would this power supply work too?

12V DC 2 Amp (24 Watts) wall-wart to power the unit but powering my layout with my transformer?

Nope - that's not how it works.

The power supply for the Explorer is also the power for the track - you can't use two power supplies with this unit.

Another user had bad results using a variable power source.

Did you not receive the stock power supply?

I just got off the phone with MTH and Ed was right. The Explorer unit is connected between the transformer and the track. I need to purchase a barrel jack connector with two bare leads (red/black). Any suggestions where I should buy the connector?

Hey, if anyone has purchased this unit, I would appreciate reading your comments on how you wired the unit and how well it operated on your layout.

Thank you.

This looks like it may work for connecting to my MRC transformer...rated 6A. Click on link below.

https://www.filmandvideolighti...utput-connector.html