Wiring 180 watt Bricks

All you need is the correct cable to tie them to the track.  I'm not a big fan of the TMCC Direct Lockon, for my it created more problems than it solved.

A lot of folks simply cut off the ends of their PH180.  I wanted a cleaner look so I made my own adaptors using these molex connectors and these pins. 

My adaptors have banana plugs on the other end to connect to an MTH TIU.  But you can use whatever you like (or perhaps solder the other end to your track).

I did what Mike did, I didn't want to chop the cords.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I did what Mike did, I didn't want to chop the cords.

Ditto.  Learned from these fine gentlemen on the Forum.

Just how much equipment do you plan to run with 2,160 watts available??? 

-Jim

@MikeH and @gunrunnerjohn what have your experiences been using the brick to provide input power to the TIU?? I've had a Rev L TIU for over 6 weeks and have "evolved". Quick timeline

Pre-TIU(original TMCC)

1.) Used a Command base, Powermaster, Postwar ZW with Lionel's adapter cable. No issues

2.) Command Base, Powermaster, PH-1(135 watt) brick to the powermaster, an a 5amp inline fuse between the powermaster and track. No issues

TIU and TMCC(only using one channel to power one loop of track, a currently just a single TMCC Dash-9 and 4 passenger cars)

1.) Ditched the powermaster as it isn't compatible with the TIU. Returned to postwar ZW with an ATC in-line fuse with the proper amp rating between the ZW and TIU Fixed-1 input. ZW was powering the TIU and train(via the Fixed-1 output). Blew the in-line fuse a couple times, the internal fuse only once. Granted, I was just starting out

2.) Powered the TIU with the PH-1, 135 watt brick- which I believe has a 7.5amp internal circuit breaker. PH-1 powered the TIU via Fixed-1 input and powered the train as well. This combo blew the internal fuse of the TIU a couple of times.

3.) TIU power comes from 12 volt, 1.5amp, aux power supply. Used Fixed-1 input powered by the PH-1 to provide power to the track via Fixed-1 output. Similar results to #2, at first. so...

4.) TIU powered by same aux supply, now I connect the brick to the Fixed-2 input on the TIU. TIU fixed-2 output goes to mth 12 port terminal block which subsequently goes to the same realtrax lock-ons as before to power the train . Hasn't caused nearly as many issues but still am blowing too many internal fuses for my liking(only 2 over 2 weeks but still)

I know there's a learning curve here but, at this rate, I'm thinking of going back to powering the TIU with my ZW. I've reached out to a lot of people, my TIU is in good shape, clearly the internal fuses are working as they should. But I feel like the PH-1's circuit breaker isn't fast enough compared to the in-line fuse I had previously used with the ZW. Thoughts, concerns? Is it just a "learning curve" or is it the PH-1? I know the 180 watt bricks have a very good fast acting breaker.

I think that you have an out of phase issue with the Aux supply for TIU and the PH-1. 

If you power the TIU with a Z-500 directly from the factory barrel jack or power the TIU off of Fixed 1 and lose the Aux supply you will be ok.

Moonman posted:

I think that you have an out of phase issue with the Aux supply for TIU and the PH-1. 

If you power the TIU with a Z-500 directly from the factory barrel jack or power the TIU off of Fixed 1 and lose the Aux supply you will be ok.

 

@Moonman thank you for this suggestion/info! I have the most recent DCS companion and have consulted rayman's mth DCS website quite a bit but haven't come across anything about theaux supply and the fixed-1 input being in phase. Likely, I have, but maybe it used different language. Regardless, I know that powering the TIU with an MTH "brick" would be ideal.  

The first time I used the aux power supply was to attempt an update of the software on my TIU(eventhough, being a Rev L, I didn't need to- but my USB-B wasn't working so I reverted to using the serial adapter) anyway, the TIU was powered and acted properly. When I used the aux power supply and PH-1 for the first time, the internal fuse blew right away. HOWEVER, the realtrax lock-on was not connected properly to the track. I'm not trying to argue or defend what might be a bad aux supply or out of phase aux supply but I am trying to eliminate external factors as I've had some really good running sessions using the aux supply and PH-1. This is the aux supply that I am using:

https://www.amazon.com/PowerLi...er-USB/dp/B016IMPAN0

Again, thank you for your advice and help, much appreciated!

StevefromPA posted:

Moonman posted:

I think that you have an out of phase issue with the Aux supply for TIU and the PH-1. 

If you power the TIU with a Z-500 directly from the factory barrel jack or power the TIU off of Fixed 1 and lose the Aux supply you will be ok.

 

@Moonman thank you for this suggestion/info! I have the most recent DCS companion and have consulted rayman's mth DCS website quite a bit but haven't come across anything about theaux supply and the fixed-1 input being in phase. Likely, I have, but maybe it used different language. Regardless, I know that powering the TIU with an MTH "brick" would be ideal.  

The first time I used the aux power supply was to attempt an update of the software on my TIU(eventhough, being a Rev L, I didn't need to- but my USB-B wasn't working so I reverted to using the serial adapter) anyway, the TIU was powered and acted properly. When I used the aux power supply and PH-1 for the first time, the internal fuse blew right away. HOWEVER, the realtrax lock-on was not connected properly to the track. I'm not trying to argue or defend what might be a bad aux supply or out of phase aux supply but I am trying to eliminate external factors as I've had some really good running sessions using the aux supply and PH-1. This is the aux supply that I am using:

 

https://www.amazon.com/PowerLi...er-USB/dp/B016IMPAN0

Again, thank you for your advice and help, much appreciated!

Only a guess for what seems to be a good power arrangement that is blowing fuses 

I have personally never blown a fuse on a TIU, I have powered my TIU's with the PH180 for years, it's my favored configuration.  If you're blowing the 20A fuse on the TIU, something is certainly amiss past the output of the TIU.

So, just did a small test. My PH-1 plug is polarized while my aux power plug is not polarized(although it has polarity Control). Regardless, plugged in aux power and PH-1. PH-1 goes to terminal block, terminal block goes to lock-ons Turned on the PH-1, everything was fine. There was a derailment due to a bad truck on one of my passenger cars , hit the e-stop, I cringed as I thought I heard a fuse blow. Turned power off. Got everything “back on track”, still powering via fixed 2, and it was fine. To double check, I shut down and plugged PH-1 into fixed 1 and moved to fixed-1 output. Has been running fine for the last half hour.

thank you gentlemen, for your help. Made sure to mark for future reference. As I typed this post my  train derailed, hit the estop, and, as you can see below, the PH-1 circuit breaker kicked-in.

I have acquired the bricks over the last 3 or 4 years.  I figured I have them, might as well use them.  Each block will have its own 180 and anything else that might need power.

Tynaskos,

You're doing everything right.  I love it.  Go for it.