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I have been running my layout for 7 or 8 plus years. I run both DCS and Legacy. The TIU supplies power to the track from "Output Variable (conv DCS) Out 1". I feed "Power Varible input 1" and "Fixed input 1" from a Lionel ZW. Been that way from day one. 

Yesterday, ran a Legacy engine with no problems. Everything working just fine.

Today, wanted to set up my layout for the grand kids when they come for Thanksgiving. Nothing ran, no DCS, no Legacy not even conventional. No power on the track, but all the switches and accessories worked just fine.

Put my multimeter on the track, "0" volts, which is what I thought I would read. 

Checked my TIU, the readings. "Variable 1 out" showed "0" voltage, but "Fix 1 out" showed 18 volts. Both "INPUT 1 variable and fixed" showed 18 volts from the ZW.

Using my MTH remote, selected TRACK Varible 1 and adjusted it to 18.5 volts, the output on the TIU still showed 0 volts, FIXED 1 OUTPUT still showing 18 volts.

Any thoughts as to why I lost power from "Variable 1 output"? How can I trace this to determine what needs to be done, fixed or repaired.

For now, I am powering my track with the "Fixed 1 output" but would like to have the Variable 1 output fixed.

Thanks

RAY

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Lou1985 posted:

Do you have any sort of circuit protection between the ZW and the TIU?

doesn't always protect the TIU.  Know this from a strange encounter on my TIU this year.  I've never blown and internal TIU fuse until this year.  I blew THREE: both VAR ones and FIXED #1.

I have all 4 channels protected by 10A FAST-BLOW fuses.  But they probably saved the TIU a zillion times though as I've gone thru a lot of them.

- walt

Do you have good power into the VAR1 or 2 input?  Could have a loose connection inside, or fuse as mentioned.  Do terminals show signs of overheating or melting?  Is TIU red LED on and what address (number of flashes)?  Fixed will just pass thru, but if TIU has no power you can not operate var channels, plus you won't have DCS signal on any channel.  So first thing is to make sure TIU powering up and working.  Fix one best channel to test all that.  If it is, what I said is next logical stuff for figuring out why VAR not working.  G

Well, I finally got around to pulling the cover off my TIU and sure enough, a blown fuse just as John suggested. Replaced the fuse and everything works EXCEPT-----

I can not adjust the Var Channel 1 voltage. It goes from 18.0 volts to 0 volts. Can not lower it in increments of .5 volts. I am sure it's some programming issue that should be adjusted with my remote. When I call up Var Channel 2, I can adjust the voltage in increments of .5 volts with the thumb wheel:  ie 10 volts, 10.5 volts, 15 volts, 15.5 volts, etc. 

I was able to adjust Var channel 1 before the fuse blew, but now it just registers either 0 volts or 18 volts, nothing in between. 

Any idea what I need to do to correct this?

Thanks,

RAY

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