Transformers

Paul     

I am no command control expert,I run conventional but I think the bricks can be hooked in directly to either command system,either DCS or Legacy or the older TMCC. The throttle is really only needed for conventional operation or powering accessories. Best place to ask is on the TMCC-legacy section or DCS section. Not likely anyone will see your question here. The z4000 and the lionel ZW are both good transformers. You could also inquire about getting your transformer throttle fixed. The guy who would know is Dale Manquen,ask on the TMCC forum or electrical forum. Good luck.

Dale H

You can connect the bricks directly to blocks, or power distribution strips that go to blocks.  You probably should insert some fuses or breakers, depending on the quality of the breaker in the brick.

If you are using MTH DCS, then you would connect 4 of the bricks to the TIU channels.

Mike

The bricks can be wired to Direct Lockons(the little houses) and the DCS used in passive mode, or you can make up harnesses to power the layout directly from the bricks through the TIU(s).

Okay, forget the adjustable accessory voltage, I have a smaller transformer that can handle that.

I want to know the sequence of wiring all of this. correct where it needs to be corrected.

The 2 bricks go to the TIU fixed imput posts, the two TIU fixed output posts go to the track. Would this allow me to use both Legacy and DCS or am I missing something? Would it make more sense for me to wire two other bricks to the imput  variable voltage connections on the TIU? If so, what do the variable outputs get connected to?

I told you I am no electric whiz.

Thanks, Paul

Well, now you've introduced a new variable..  adjustable accessory voltage. 

With the bricks direct wired through the TIU(s) for train control, you may want some other small transformer(s) for accessory control if you were using some channels of your ZW for this.  A ZW-L or Z-4000 would be overkill for this purpose.

The Direct Connect Lockons would only be used for those power districts that DCS is being used in passive mode, and/or for TMCC/Legacy operation only .  This does not apply to the vast majority of DCS users.

If you were using the variable voltage feature of the TIU(s) for accessory control, there should be no or minimal changes to your setup, just bypassing the ZW controller and going straight to the TIU(s) with the bricks.

Thanks so very much! Just one more question hopefully! I have two mains that are connected by 7.5 Atlas switches with insulator pins keeping them separate from each other. Do I need to take this "U" from Legacy and connect to both mains on the outside rails? There is a connection ON the TIU for the TMCC/Legacy users. Would that work also?

Thanks again so much.

Paul
This will leave you up & running with DCS.  For Legacy added, there is only one more connection - "U" post of Legacy base to the outside rails / common of the layout.  Viola! You are now running Legacy & DCS together.

Originally Posted by pholsen:

OK... the variable outputs on the TIU are for running conventional trains - which you have said you are not doing.  If you have the capacity(power/bricks) and the desire to do so, you can use the variable outputs to control accessory circuits, lighting, whatever.  Under some circumstances, some operators use the variable outputs to provide less than full output voltage to the tracks under DCS command for various reasons(bulb life, smoke unit life/output(cabooses, etc.) switch operation, eg.) .

The outside rails of your layout should all be connected as common now, there is no operational need to switch power off to any outside rails.  Power district delineation is done with breaks/insulated pins in the center rail only. 

The only breaks in outside rail continuity would be for signalling, track occupancy, throwing switches(non-derailing), etc., and then only one of the two rails would be insulated.

Paul    I watched one of Eric Siegel's videos of how he used lionel bricks to power his layout. He wired them to the in side of the TIU with banana jacks,on the out bound side to  the track,he piggybacked the Legacy system.I have the z4000,was thinking about buying a ZW-L.But after seeing Erics blog,i I don't believe i'll get the ZW-l. Go to the site for Eric's train journal, then go to episode #18,he explains how to do this. Hope this helps.