My TIU variable 1 channel, (set to fixed channel), shorted the MTH brick on one of one of my three separate loops of track. The short was caused by a derailment on one of the loops. I have all of my outputs set to fixed channels. I checked the fuse on the blown channel, and all was well. The only thing that I noticed is that the black wire on variable 1 to output seemed just a bit melted, or disfigured but not totally damaged. I kept trying, but I could not get this channel to work without tripping the variable 1 brick, so I simply moved the channel to variable 2 and changed that channel to a fixed channel. I don't need all four channels, so all works fine for me. My question is, is it okay to leave things this way, or should I resolve the problem with channel 1. Things have been working great, so I'm in no hurry to fix channel 1, unless there is risk involved for the way I'm currently operating.
I use a 500 MTH brick for the auxiliary power input and three separate 700 MTH bricks for two of the fixed channels and the one variable channel, (changed to fixed channel), for the three separate loops. All loops are connected to one another via switch tracks and all work fine. I've been running several trains for the past several years and until this latest shorting problem, all worked great.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this issue. Best regards, Lou
