I have four Lionel 180 W Powerhouse bricks wired in a combination DCS-TMCC setup to four blocks in my layout. The power is distributed as follows: XFMR 1 goes to TIU In2 VAR; XFMR 2 goes to TIU In2 FIX; XFMR 3 goes to TIU In1 FIX, and XFMR 4 goes to TIU In1 VAR; the outputs go to Blocks 1 – 4 respectively (I also have the TMCC Command Base connected to the TIU). Both the TMCC and DCS functions operate correctly; I am a little puzzled about power control to the Blocks. Before the TIU was installed, all four blocks were independent; with the TIU, I have to have XFMR 3 operational to power the blocks controlled by XFMRs 1 and 4 (the block powered by XFMR 2 continues to operate independently of XFMR 3). I do not have a separate power supply powering the TIU; is the behavior I experience because XFMR 3 is necessary to power the TIU (interestingly, even with XFMR 3 off, the block powered by XFMR 2 operates just fine)? Also, I notice that the blocks powered by XFMRs 1 and 4 have ~ a 3 second delay to power up after power is turned on to everything at once (controlled by a master power switch); is this delay part of the VAR function on the TIU after receiving power from XFMR 3? Thanks, Var
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