Wiring a ScaleTrax switch

Take a look at pages 84-85 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition.

This and a whole lot more about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Take a look at pages 84-85 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition.

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This and a whole lot more about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Barry,

I am working through your book and hope you do not mind a couple questions. 

I am wiring MTH ScaleTrax switches 1st time using Z-1000 for switch power, Z-4000 w/TIU, AIU and DCS Remote 50-1002 for control. I also like your suggestion of wiring the manual Remote Switch Track Control in parallel.

1. Your diagram does not show the Black wire (+) and Brown wire (-) shown in the Scale Trax diagram on the bottom side of the manual switch control. (See attached picture). They normally would go to the Hot (+) and Common (-) terminals on the transformer 14 V.A.C posts. Do you advise wiring the Switch Track Control on the top side (Red Curve to Switch Track Motor and AIU SW Port 1; Green Straight to Switch Track Motor and AIU SW Port 2; Black to AIU SW Port In and then to Transformer Common). Wanted to make sure that is correct because normally the power would come in to the manual Switch Track Control from the + terminal  and Common Brown wire (-) on the bottom side.

2. Also since I have the Z-4000 cabled to the TIU and TIU to the AIU, does that also feed additional power to the switch when I activate the switch with the DCS Remote.

Eric,

1. Your diagram does not show the Black wire (+) and Brown wire (-) shown in the Scale Trax diagram on the bottom side of the manual switch control. (See attached picture). They normally would go to the Hot (+) and Common (-) terminals on the transformer 14 V.A.C posts.

That's because that diagram only shows wiring with "generic" switch motors, such as the DZ1000. I don't know enough about ScaleTrax switches to tell you how wire them for sure, however, try this:

• Wire Black, Green and Red wires to an AIU SW port terminals "IN". "1" and "2", respectively,as well as to the controller.
• Wire the Black and Brown wires to Hot and Common of the switch track power transformer.

If that doesn't work, contact MTH for the proper wire connections.

2. Also since I have the Z-4000 cabled to the TIU and TIU to the AIU, does that also feed additional power to the switch when I activate the switch with the DCS Remote.

The TIU only sends power to the AIU to activate its relays. All the AIU does is activate a relay to make contact between the Black and Green wires when you activate straight, and the Black and Red wires when you activate curved. In this case, I expect that the controller is passing the power through to the switch track for the motor. That leaves me guessing a bt as to how to properly connect a ScaleTrax switch to an AIU, particularly if a controller isn't also wire in.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Eric,

1. Your diagram does not show the Black wire (+) and Brown wire (-) shown in the Scale Trax diagram on the bottom side of the manual switch control. (See attached picture). They normally would go to the Hot (+) and Common (-) terminals on the transformer 14 V.A.C posts.

That's because that diagram only shows wiring with "generic" switch motors, such as the DZ1000. I don't know enough about ScaleTrax switches to tell you how wire them for sure, however, try this:

• Wire Black, Green and Red wires to an AIU SW port terminals "IN". "1" and "2", respectively,as well as to the controller.
• Wire the Black and Brown wires to Hot and Common of the switch track power transformer.

If that doesn't work, contact MTH for the proper wire connections.

2. Also since I have the Z-4000 cabled to the TIU and TIU to the AIU, does that also feed additional power to the switch when I activate the switch with the DCS Remote.

The TIU only sends power to the AIU to activate its relays. All the AIU does is activate a relay to make contact between the Black and Green wires when you activate straight, and the Black and Red wires when you activate curved. In this case, I expect that the controller is passing the power through to the switch track for the motor. That leaves me guessing a bt as to how to properly connect a ScaleTrax switch to an AIU, particularly if a controller isn't also wire in.

Thanks Barry

I have done all my wiring in the past on Real Trax switches so I do not have any experience with Scale Trax. I will take your suggestion and ask MTH for the correct way to wire the controller in parallel with the AIU and to independent switch power. Maybe I am being over cautious but I do not want to burn a switch motor or worse an AIU out. 

Whatever I discover I will post and thanks again for taking my questions.