Using 180w powerhouse for LC+

Here is a vid of the engine powering off with smoke on and the electro couplers fired.

LC+ engines run on both DC and AC.  The PH180 is AC.  It may be overkill, but it will provide plenty of power for your current layout as well as future expansions, and it is cheap.  Buy the adapter for direct connection to the track; it accepts the 180 plug and has very good additional circuit protection.

Yes LC can run on AC or DC.  Going to AC allows you to add Accessories to the track that may not work well on DC such as uncoupling track which you may want for a siding, etc...

I don't think the 180W 10amp PH is really over kill.  Once you start running 2 plus engines you will want it.  Running a smaller transformer at max output will only shorten it's life.

The PH breaker is probably the best protection out there for short circuits.   G

I think he's talking about the Lionel TMCC Direct Lockon, but IMO that's not necessary and just an added expense.

The PH180 has an excellent circuit breaker, and all you need is a cable to adapt the Molex plug on the PH180 to the track connection.  I simply roll my own as the Molex plug and pins are dirt cheap.

Thanks Gunrunner, I don't know how to "roll my own" but, looks like I need to learn if I want to drop the Direct Connect out (and I do).

In the powerhouse owners manual it looks like a 3 pin connector but, shows only power and ground wires in the connection.  Is one pin a guide pin? Top Pin?

I simply buy this Molex shell at at 27 cents: http://www.digikey.com/product...92032&vendor=900

Then I buy the contacts for it here: http://www.digikey.com/product...1119/WM1103-ND/26390

You can simple fold the contacts over the bare ends of the track connection harness and solder them, most folks don't have the crimp tool.

Make something like this? Or the one in the 2nd photo would connect direct to my existing Fastrack terminal track that came with the DC wall wart.

Well, you need the .110 blade female connectors to connect to the Fastrack for the end you have spade lugs on, but that's the general idea.

Got it.

Thanks Gunrunner and Swanny for your help.

Here's a suitable blade female at Digikey: http://www.digikey.com/product...A107181CT-ND/3488742

I use these and heat-shrink them after I connect the wire.

Can anyone clarify one point I'm confused about?  Can both LionChief and LionChief+ run on AC?

Yes!

No problem at all, I've personally run them both on a Legacy setup with a PH180 directly connected to the track.

I was thinking of connecting it with this (pic 1) to this (pic 2).

the Lionel fastrack terminal track with the lionchief sets has the round plug.

Should work fine.  G