Transformer on Before TIU? Or TIU On Before Transformer?

Don, my TIU is perpetually on.  It’s powered through the AUX port which I never unplug.  So when I power-up, I reach down and switch on my PH180 bricks.  Not saying that’s the correct way but that’s the way I’ve done it for three years.

One switch powers up my entire layout all at one time, PH-180s, TIU, Legacy, Aux power and everything else. Doing it this way for several years now, no problems so far.

I agree with MikeH and I turn on the TIU first, but turning on power and TIU at the same time is fine also. I like having the control side working before bringing up the power. I shutdown everything at the same time.

I'm with rtr12.  One switch turns-on everything all at once. This doesn't include train and accessory loads for which i have separate switching.  Never had any issues after many years of experience..

I have been running my DCS system for 15 years, by having both the transformers and TIU all plugged into a power bar. I turn the power bar on/off, and thus all the power to my layout at the same time.

My TIU has aux power, and that comes on with the master switch.  The transformers are individually controlled, so they come on after the TIU, Legacy command base, and the WiFi units are powered on.

I use FIXED 1 instead of the AUX port to power the TIU so they are turned on at the same time.

If you turn on the power before the TIU, I think your locomotives would not see the watchdog signal and would start up in conventional.

@Lehigh74 posted:

If you turn on the power before the TIU, I think your locomotives would not see the watchdog signal and would start up in conventional.

Not true, the WD signal is triggered when an individual TIU channel is powered, not when the TIU electronics are powered up.

I have a single switch controlling all 120-volt power to all components.  It is bad practice to leave a component always on; although it doesn't happen often, it can cause a fire.

I have a big red light that comes on when I power the main layout switch, that reminds me if I head upstairs that the layout is still on.    It's controlled by the same RF remote channel as my layout power is controlled by.

Lehigh74--I tested the deal with powering up the transformer before the TIU and the engine did indeed come up in conventional mode. Not sure why, but that is what happened.

Don

Don, that's perfectly normal.  If you are not powering the TIU with either Channel #1 FIXED or the AUX power connection, any power to the tracks will not have any DCS watchdog signal.  If a DCS locomotives gets power and doesn't see a watchdog in the first few seconds, it starts up in conventional mode.

I have two surge protectors (Surges are common in my locale). One has TIU, WIU, Lionel Legacy Base, Accessory Transformer plugged into it, I power it on first. Then the second is powered on having all other track loop transformers (4 of them) plugged into it. Been doing it this way without any issues.