TIU fixed 1 and fixed 2 will soon have there own Z1000 ?

Willy,

My understanding is transformer phasing is not necessary. Am I correct?

You're only correct if you can be absolutely sure that the loops are not connected, either at their center or outside rails. This includes connecting all Commons to use TMCC or Legacy. Otherwise, you're completely wrong.

Also, if things change down the road and you connect the loops, are you certain that you'll remember that you neglected to phase the transformers?

You should phase all transformers on all channels of all TIUs. If you do not, and a train goes from any TIU channel to another TIU channel powered by a transformer that's out of phase with respect to the first transformer, you'll have very unpleasant results.

This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Willy,

My understanding is transformer phasing is not necessary. Am I correct?

On the contrary, you're completely wrong.

You must phase all transformers on all channels of all TIUs. If you do not, and a train goes from any TIU channel to another TIU channel powered by a transformer that's out of phase with respect to the first transformer, you'll have very unpleasant results.

---

This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

None of my trains go from one channel to the other.

Willy,

Hang on Barry, he has completely separate loops not joined anywhere.   Unless he's using an original "G" it should be no problem... But why not phase them anyway. they're probably in phase anyway  but it wouldn't hurt to check.

I do have a question about passive mode though... I've tired passive mode and had good results but my old layout was wired with terminal blocks and paired wiring...I don't think passive mode works as well if one tries to hook it up something similar to TMCC and the one wire  "U" connection.   Will one set of wires from the tiu output to the track cut it?

Need clarification..none of my trains on fixed 1 will share with fixed 2...2 independent loops...no common wiring.

edit:TIU is revision L

Barry..reread your edited reply..thanks for that. I should phase them just for safety protocol but appears it isn't absolutely necessary.

For a couple of years I ran four Z1000's through a TIU set to all fixed voltage on four independent loops and I wasn't even aware that transformers could be "in phase".  Everything ran just fine, so I know you can do it.  However, Barry's caution that down the road you might connect two loops and forget the transformers were out of phase is appropriate.    Eventually I found I needed more than 5 amps per loop.  (Like for two triple headed consists with smoke units on).

For the last 4 years a single Z1000 has been powering up 15 ps2/ps3 locomotives at once,no passenger just freight and 90% multi unit power configuration. All engines can run concurrent. I am sure i am reaching the limit of a single Z1000. 3 more locomotives will be added soon hence this posting on a 2nd Z1000 and the proper installation and any precautions. Once again, i have never walked away from a topic question with out an answer(and fast)...thanks X10 to you guys

I found a single Z1000 can power lots of PS2/3 locomotives at one time; they use very little power.  I never tried 15  locomotives at one time, but I have run half a dozen at once on a Z1000.  But running them at higher speed, and most importantly, turning on the smoke units, exceeds the limits of a Z1000 in a hurry.  It's multiple smoke units that really draw the amps.   Another amp hog is conventionally lighted passenger cars; which is why I converted all mine to LED's.  But I like to run long consists with (usually) triple headed locomotives, all smoke on, and the Z1000, nice as it is,  just can't cut it. 

WlllyGee,

   Bill I always Phase my transformer, then mark the old adapter plug I use for doing it.  In this manner if I ever need to use the transformers together it's already done.  Further I recommend picking up a good used Z4K instead of the Z1K, you have enough engines to warrant the investment.  You will probably be adding more in the future anyway.

PCRR/Dave

Has anyone ever found Z1000 bricks to be out of phase? If anyone has, would that be an error in the manufacturing of the brick? I would have thought they would all be manufactured the same.

Dave Zucal posted:

Has anyone ever found Z1000 bricks to be out of phase?

I don't know about MTH Z1000 bricks, but some early Z4000s were "out of phase" with subsequent produced Z4000s. I had one, and MTH took it back, fixed it, and sent it back to me.

If anyone has, would that be an error in the manufacturing of the brick?

Yes.

I would have thought they would all be manufactured the same.

One would think.

I have 3 MTH Z-1000's that I will be using on my layout very soon and hope that they are phased properly. One is from about 8 years ago and one I just bought in November at a train show in Pompano Beach FL. All 3 MT Z-1000's look the same on the outside and have the same number of terminal hook-ups and location.

Also have the MTH DCS unit from a few years ago(maybe 8 years ago) and got it updated at Ready To Roll in north Miami FL this past summer, can now use PS-3 engines with it.

Lee Fritz

Thanks Hot Water. If I do find one out of Phase, is it best to reverse the wires at the 110 volt input side or the 18 volt output side, of the brick?

Dave Zucal posted:

Thanks Hot Water. If I do find one out of Phase, is it best to reverse the wires at the 110 volt input side

As I recall the MTH folks informed me that the correction MUST be made internally, at the 120 Volt input to the power transformer. Simply "reversing the plug" doesn't cut it.

or the 18 volt output side, of the brick?

Hot Water posted:

Dave Zucal posted:

Thanks Hot Water. If I do find one out of Phase, is it best to reverse the wires at the 110 volt input side

As I recall the MTH folks informed me that the correction MUST be made internally, at the 120 Volt input to the power transformer. Simply "reversing the plug" doesn't cut it.

or the 18 volt output side, of the brick?

 

I can't even imagine why it's not as simple as reversing the plug if you desire.  However, the reasoning is simple, it's a polarized plug and they didn't want you filing down the blade to be able to reverse it.  The "official" fix was to swap internal wires, which is electrically exactly the same as reversing the plug.

That would make sense John, I would also suggest one would check for the proper wiring in the outlets in their layout room, especially if your bricks don't share the same outlet. There are simple test devices that can be purchase that just plug into the outlet and indicate if it's wired correctly. Some do it yourself electricians make the mistake of getting the neutral and common backwards.