Tpping into Lionel PowerHouse feeder cord to a DPDT switch to switch between ZW-C and MTH Remote Commander

Hi RWL,

In your first paragraph you mention "one single power supply" but later in your post you state "Now, I will  have 3 discreet track sections, and will control each of Tracks 1 & 2 with one side of a Lionel ZW-C (with two180 watt Power House bricks), and Track 3 with an MTH Z-1000 brick and controller."  I interpret the "one single power supply" to mean "track is powered by one source at a time" either through the Remote Commander or one of the three conventional power supplies (Z-1000 or one of the ZW-C handles).    

Does "3 discreet track sections" mean three separate and independent "loops" or one "loop" will have three separate sections powered by three different power sources?  If one "loop" I would recommend that all three track rails be isolated from the adjoining "section."  Also, if only one "loop" there MIGHT be a problem when an engine crosses from one "section" to another since the engine could receive power from two different "bricks" at the same time.  Be sure the bricks are in "phase."

Also, you will be using just one Remote Commander for the 3 discreet track sections, correct?.

As for question 2, seriously, the bigger the better, 14 gauge stranded wire is what I would use.

I will have 2 discreet loops with a blocked crossover between, and a blocked yard, which makes the three discrete track sections.
Each of these sections will also have internal power block sections within.

When I mentioned a single power supply, I meant for each of the three track sections, rather than one for the conventional and a second for the Remote Commander, for each section.

I plan on having a remote commander on each track section, controlled with a DPDT switch for each section to select between the conventional controller and the Remote Commander.

For the Z-1000 I do plan to use barrel connectors with pigtails to make the extra connections, rather than cutting those wires.

The actual question in my post was with regard to the Lionel ZW-C, and the fact that it doesn't use barrel connectors. Rather, it uses the very proprietary multi pin connector, and that is where I think that I need to cut the wires to make the splits.

Here is a link to a thread that may be helpful.

https://ogrforum.com/...t-the-lionel-lock-on

It contains information on connectors that would allow you to do your desired wiring without cutting the powerhouse cords.  

GregM posted:

Here is a link to a thread that may be helpful.

https://ogrforum.com/...t-the-lionel-lock-on

It contains information on connectors that would allow you to do your desired wiring without cutting the powerhouse cords.  

 

Thanks,

That is what I was looking for, and not a bad price either
I think the following will do the trick.

One Female Molex: From Power House connector out to (DPDT Switch - Power In) and (Ground - Spliter to ZW-C and Remote Commander)
One Male Molex: From (DPDT Switch - Power Out) and (Ground - Splitter from Power House) into ZW-C.