Wiring A Massive FasTrack Layout

Attach each 180W Brick to a Powerhouse Lock-on (you'll need one per brick). Make sure your transformers are in phase. Lionel has a video they did a while back on how to do that. The Legacy Base signal wire connects to the outside rails of the track or to a connection inside the lock-ons. The instructions for using the lock-ons and 180W bricks will tell you how to do the wiring.

@Dylan the Train Man posted:

Attach each 180W Brick to a Powerhouse Lock-on (you'll need one per brick). Make sure your transformers are in phase. Lionel has a video they did a while back on how to do that. The Legacy Base signal wire connects to the outside rails of the track or to a connection inside the lock-ons. The instructions for using the lock-ons and 180W bricks will tell you how to do the wiring.

I am now even more confused? I have to buy a lock on? I googled it, looks like a little electric box. How do these work? How will using three off them work? How do I get all three powerhouses in snyc or as you called in phase. Sorry, but this would be a great help.

Chall77,  here is the Lionel video on how to phase Transformers that Dylan referred to

John

my biggest issue is, I don't want multiple power zones, I would like everything on one big circuit. Should I buy a z4000 or something like that instead? I was hoping the three powerhouses would be able to just help displace more power and then the legacy system do the controlling. But I see on here if somehow I give the track too much power I will be having big issues.

You definitely should NOT wire the layout as a single big circuit. That is just not the proper way to do this. It will cause you all kinds of problems going forward.

There are others here who can hep you with what to do and how to do it. I just wanted to jump in here quickly to tell you what NOT to do.

You need to use power districts if you don't what headaches in the future as Rich says.  FWIW. I have four PH180 bricks on my pike, and four power districts.  The running is seamless between power districts, there's no downside to not having one massive power district, but there are plenty of upsides.

In order to provide useful information we'd need to see your track plan.

Don’t worry about multiple power districts.  This is the smart thing to do for a number of reasons. If there is a short or some other issue on one loop, the others will not be affected and it helps to narrow down troubleshooting. Also, powering each loop individually allows you to run more engines without over taxing the system. If you set it up properly, your trains can move smoothly from one loop to another with no trouble.

You may want to keep your transformer to power the 10 sidings as a fourth power district. This way you could power down the engines if they are not needed.

Somebody keep me honest here… OP should not connect a single power lead to each loop. Definitely search on threads in regards to adding multiple feeds throughout each loop to deliver power more reliably and consistently.   I’m not sure how the bricks work but should the OP wire the bricks to a bus and then run feeds to each respective loop from there? If he uses a lock on, won’t that limit his ability to run feeds?

Here is my layout. In a perfect world. I was thinking 1 powerhouse to each mainline, or 1 powerhouse to half the table and 1 to the other half, then the third to my lower reverse loop/ upper reverse loop. I am terrible with this stuff so please, the more help the better. I’m a lot better of a carpenter than electrician lol

@VJandP posted:

Somebody keep me honest here… OP should not connect a single power lead to each loop. Definitely search on threads in regards to adding multiple feeds throughout each loop to deliver power more reliably and consistently.  

Goodness no, you need more than one drop for any decent quantity of drops.

@VJandP posted:

I’m not sure how the bricks work but should the OP wire the bricks to a bus and then run feeds to each respective loop from there? If he uses a lock on, won’t that limit his ability to run feeds?

The bricks provide the same kind of power as any other transformer, it's just not variable.  Wiring with the bricks is no different than any other transformer.

+1 on three power districts ... one for each loop.  If you have switches that  allow trains to cross between loops, remember to insulate the middle (power) rail between loops.

Use multiple track power feeds per loop because each track joint between a power feed and the engine can (and will over time) drop the voltage available to the engine.  For a 13x20 layout, 4 to 6 feeds per loop is a minimum.  If the engines drop speed on a section of the loop, add another power feed in that section.

The Lock-on is a fast-acting, self resetting circuit breaker.  If used, then the track power feeds should fan out from the lock-on.  The Powerhouse has a breaker that requires manual reset and the lock-on is not needed if hand resetting the Powerhouse after the breaker trips is not an inconvenience.

The Powerhouses (tested for correct phasing) should have the common output to the outside rails joined together as a "common ground" for all the loops.  Connect the Legacy output terminal to the common ground.

chall77, where are you located (in general)?  You will enjoy your Massive Layout a lot more if you can visit some layouts in your area.

@Tracker John posted:

The Lock-on is a fast-acting, self resetting circuit breaker.  If used, then the track power feeds should fan out from the lock-on.  The Powerhouse has a breaker that requires manual reset and the lock-on is not needed if hand resetting the Powerhouse after the breaker trips is not an inconvenience.

Or you go with remote control transformer control, never have to stray from your location to reset the transformer.   #5 is the master that turns the whole layout off.

@Tracker John posted:

+1 on three power districts ... one for each loop.  If you have switches that  allow trains to cross between loops, remember to insulate the middle (power) rail between loops.

Use multiple track power feeds per loop because each track joint between a power feed and the engine can (and will over time) drop the voltage available to the engine.  For a 13x20 layout, 4 to 6 feeds per loop is a minimum.  If the engines drop speed on a section of the loop, add another power feed in that section.

The Lock-on is a fast-acting, self resetting circuit breaker.  If used, then the track power feeds should fan out from the lock-on.  The Powerhouse has a breaker that requires manual reset and the lock-on is not needed if hand resetting the Powerhouse after the breaker trips is not an inconvenience.

The Powerhouses (tested for correct phasing) should have the common output to the outside rails joined together as a "common ground" for all the loops.  Connect the Legacy output terminal to the common ground.

I am following what you are saying the best. Only issue right now is my layout is designed without the spacing of the insulators between switches. If I sent you a copy of my layout plans would you illustrate the track wiring/ how to wiring the bricks?

Imo, the tmcc lockons are not needed as the breaker on the bricks is fast enough to protect your trains. Sometimes the lockon will pop unnecessarily due to the power drawn of lighted passenger trains.

I recommend 14ga buss with 14ga feeders every 10' of track length soldered directly to those power tabs underneath the fastrack.

As far as power districts. It's also a good idea to isolate and yards and sidings and give each a separate feeder on a toggle switch. So parked/unused trains can be totally powered down to prevent damage from shorts,runaway trains etc.

If you are using Fastrack O-72 switches, they included extension sections that include an "electrically isolated center rail option for power blocks".  Disconnect the wire on the underside of the track section.  If your switches don't include the extension pieces, you can use one of the small tracks (ex: 6-12073, 6-12060) that have the center rail isolation.  Use one of these tracks between the switches that connect the loops.