TIU Power?

No, as long as you are powering the FIXED 1 input of the TIU.

Any other input will require you to either provide power to FIXED 1 input or use the AUX input power port to operate the TIU.

H1000 - I have power going to the Fixed 1 and 2 inputs of the TIU from my transformer - variable channels are not in use - no need to power AUX port I assume?

no need to power AUX port I assume?

That's not entirely correct...

From pages 95-96 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition:

Advantages to Powering the TIU Through the Aux. Power Port

Essentially, the TIU is a computer. This means that each time its power is interrupted, it must reboot when power is restored. This reboot process takes a small amount of time, during which commands sent by the DCS Remote cannot be received by the TIU. If the TIU is powered by power present on Fixed Channel #1, turning off this power, even momentarily, will cause the TIU channels to behave in different ways. Although commands from the DCS Remote sent on any channel cannot be received while the TIU is turned off, the various TIU channels will react as follows:

• Trains connected to Fixed Channel #1 will simply stop running.
• Variable channels will shut down and not pass power to the tracks. Trains running on tracks controlled by these channels will also simply stop running.
• Power will continue to pass through Fixed Channel #2. Trains running on tracks connected to this channel will continue to operate. DCS (or TMCC) engines will continue doing whatever they were last doing when power to the TIU was turned off. However, the operator will have no control of these trains from the DCS Remote.

If the TIU is powered through Fixed Channel #1 rather than the Aux. Power port and there's a derailment on the tracks connected to Fixed Channel #1, the following will occur:

• The TIU will immediately stop receiving commands from the DCS Remote.
• ll trains running on tracks connected to Fixed Channel #1 or to a Variable Channel will come to a halt when the TIU's internal fuse or an external fuse for Fixed Channel #1 blows, or the transformer or other external circuit breaker trips.
• All trains running on tracks connected to Fixed Channel #2 will continue to operate, however, they will not respond to commands from the DCS Remote.

The above scenario will continue with some trains stopped and others unable to be controlled until the power to the TIU is restored or all track power is shut down. Further, the E-Stop button on the DCS Remote will not be useable. Not a good situation!

This and a whole lot more about DCS is all in MTH’s “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!

Thanx, Barry!  Sounds like I will be powering the TIU thru the AUX port and thru the Fixed 1 & 2 inputs!  

Regards,

Paul

Harleylito posted:

Thanx, Barry!  Sounds like I will be powering the TIU thru the AUX port and thru the Fixed 1 & 2 inputs!  

Regards,

Paul

hmmm..didn't think it was advisable to power aux and fixed 1 concurrent. I use a z500 aux only.

Willygee, no problem at all.  I have a wall wart connected to AUX and a layout transformer to FIXED 1.  Been that way for some 15 years.

RJR posted:

Willygee, no problem at all.  I have a wall wart connected to AUX and a layout transformer to FIXED 1.  Been that way for some 15 years.

What would be the benefits of dual power?

Fixed 1 automatically disconnected when plug inserted into aux. See Barry's comment above.

Barry - would a Z500 transformer be sufficient to power the AUX port?

Paul

Paul,

would a Z500 transformer be sufficient to power the AUX port?

Yes, it would.