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12 replies

TIU Variable Power Issues

WW Wally WOGR Forum Member

:-)  I am learning...  I have entered the MTH DCS world recently buying a new TIU and WIU.  It has been an adventure seemingly taking two steps forward and one step backward.  The good news is that it seems that reading Barry's books (I have both the normal and the wifi versions) and reading this forum my knowledge base is growing.  I truly appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge it has certainly helped my knowledge curve.  I am having some more issues I cant figure out and I was hoping for some help.

Here is what I have.  I have a TIU Rev L hooked up with the WIU.  I have a Z500 brick plugged in to the TIU to provide the TIU unit power for its electronics.  The power going to the tracks is provided by two PW ZW transformers with a 7 amp quick blow circuit breaker between each ZW and the TIU.  The power from one ZW runs to variable input 1 and the power from the other ZW runs to variable input 2 on the TIU.  I am using the variable outputs because I have many conventional trains that I would like to run on our layout using variable voltage.  The first time I hooked everything up, EUREKA, it worked great.  Just as it is supposed to.  A couple of hours later, we went back to use the layout and the variable power on variable output 2 of the TIU worked, but the power output on variable 1 did not.  Power went to the input of TIU (we checked with a volt meter), but there was no power coming out (again we checked).  Having an issue like this previously, I thought that it might be a fuse, so I took everything off and opened up the TIU up to check the fuse.  The fuse was not blown and everything looked OK on the TIU internally (just a visual check).  Not knowing what else to do, I just put the TIU back together and tied everything up again.  Once I did this, both variable outputs worked again.  EUREKA!!!  I fixed it not even knowing what I did... or well so I thought.  

The next day, we went to use the layout again, the other variable output on the TIU (output 2) did not work (just like variable 1 the day before).  Variable 1 worked.  To make a long story short after examining the TIU unit and checking with a voltmeter (it showed power going to the input of variable 2 of the TIU and nothing coming out of the output of variable 2), we shut everything down for 15 minutes.  We went back to using the layout and the variable output was working again.  Wahoo!  Unfortunately, after about 3 minutes of operation, the output on variable 2 stopped working.  Ugh!  Well, later it started working again (we do not know why it shut off, or started working again).  Since these issues, the outputs on both outputs have stoped and started working again a couple of more times.  We do not know why they work and then not work.  The only thing consistent about their operation and lack of operation is that it is inconsistent.

With all of that information, can anyone on the board here help me trouble shoot so that the variable outputs on the TIU consistently work.  I appreciate any input and thank you in advance for your anticipated help.

-Wally Werderich

Last edited by Wally W
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RC Richie C.OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Yeah, that statement is confusing - "The power from one ZW runs to variable input 1 and the power from the variable input 2 on the TIU." I assume what you meant to say was that power from one ZW goes to variable input 1 and power from the other ZW goes to variable input 2 ?

A couple of things to try and narrow things down - disconnect one ZW and only run one ZW to one variable input and see if the problem persists. Then use the other variable input with the same transformer. Then swap the ZW's around and see what happens.

Do you have any non-convention (command) trains to run ? if so, try running one ZW to Fixed input 1 and swap them around to see if the Fixed inputs work. 

Also, are these separate tracks/loops that each output is running to ?

Last edited by Richie C.
WW Wally WOGR Forum Member

Sorry for the confusion.  I edited the original post.  To clarify, the power from one ZW goes to variable input one and the power from the second ZW goes to variable input 2.

I am running 2 loops on my track.  The two loops are connected by a ross double crossover utilizing Z2500 motors and a DZ1008 relay.

I have some nonconventional trains to run on the the layout.  Next time the issue comes up on a variable input not providing power to the variable output,  I will connect the power to the corresponding numbered fixed input and see if power goes to the output.  The frustrating thing is that it does not consistently happen.  It just happens sporadicly, and I do not know when.  I am happy to report that as I write this, everything is operating correctly.  Both variable outputs are working as they should.  Last night when I was operating, variable output 1 was not working.  We did nothing to fix it and came back this afternoon and it is working as it should.  Frustratingly inconsistent (however, I am not complaining that it is working now. (-.

Again, I appreciate your assistance.

-Wally Werderich

B BobbyDOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Wally W posted:

Sorry for the confusion.  I edited the original post.  To clarify, the power from one ZW goes to variable input one and the power from the second ZW goes to variable input 2.

I am running 2 loops on my track.  The two loops are connected by a ross double crossover utilizing Z2500 motors and a DZ1008 relay.

Again, I appreciate your assistance.

-Wally Werderich

How is the double crossover wired with insulating pins?

Are the ZW's in phase? 

Let's say Handle A on ZW1 to Var1 and Handle A on ZW 2 to Var#2 and none of the others are connected? 

Does it do it using the remote or Wi-Fi or both?

Last edited by BobbyD
WW Wally WOGR Forum Member

So I turned it off after making the above post (with it working) and I turned it on again about 15 minutes later for a YouTube live stream.  Wouldn't you know it, variable output 2 did not work when I was firing it up for the stream.  I have not tried constant output 2 yet per the above instructions/request.

Our software version is 6.1 on the TIU and 1.1.0 on the TIU.  We just got the TIU, so it is relatively new.  The transformers are in phase.  On the ZWs, just handle A on both of the ZWs are connected.  We do not have a regular remote, just the wifi.  On the double crossover, all of the  pins are plugged in.

Last edited by Wally W

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