Z1000 TRANSFORMER

I always used that 14V connection for all my switches thru any type of terminal panel.

JohnRD posted:

It does not hurt to ask a question even if it sounds dumb to those that are "experts" in the hobby...so here goes. I am using a Z1000 to run the trains. Can I use the 14 AC screws on the transformer to run my Lionel Remote Command Control Switches to a 12 MTH 50-1014  panel board then to the switch(es) as auxiliary power? 

Thanks

The simple answer is yes. What I don’t know is the Amp draw per switch and what the max Amp output is for the 14 VAC terminal. Chances are you won’t fire all the switches at once but the LEDS in the switch will draw some amps and if you connect the switch controller to the switch, what its amp draw is. Granted, amp draw for an LED is minuscule but it all adds up.

Steve

In general, yes... but other than having a constant voltage to the stitches you won't gain the usual benefit of a separate power source.  the switches will still put the same added load on the transformer as they do when powered from the track.  

Additionally, make sure you don't have one of the oddball Z1000's that has reversed polarity between the accessory and track connections.  mine is like this and will short circuit if common from track touches common from accessory.  

Larry3railtrains posted:

I always used that 14V connection for all my switches thru any type of terminal panel.

THANK YOU

RideTheRails posted:

JohnRD posted:

It does not hurt to ask a question even if it sounds dumb to those that are "experts" in the hobby...so here goes. I am using a Z1000 to run the trains. Can I use the 14 AC screws on the transformer to run my Lionel Remote Command Control Switches to a 12 MTH 50-1014  panel board then to the switch(es) as auxiliary power? 

Thanks

The simple answer is yes. What I don’t know is the Amp draw per switch and what the max Amp output is for the 14 VAC terminal. Chances are you won’t fire all the switches at once but the LEDS in the switch will draw some amps and if you connect the switch controller to the switch, what its amp draw is. Granted, amp draw for an LED is minuscule but it all adds up.

Steve

THANK YOU

JohnGaltLine posted:

In general, yes... but other than having a constant voltage to the stitches you won't gain the usual benefit of a separate power source.  the switches will still put the same added load on the transformer as they do when powered from the track.  

Additionally, make sure you don't have one of the oddball Z1000's that has reversed polarity between the accessory and track connections.  mine is like this and will short circuit if common from track touches common from accessory.  

Thanks.....new problem(s)..Running O Gauge,DCS WIFI,Android,Z1000

SCENARIO #1----- The layout is setup with an inner loop (36 deg curves) and an outer loop (48 deg curves) plus about 10 Remote Control Switches without the hand throws in the loops. They are not connected anywhere.  Trains run perfectly on both loops. Changing from loop to another I just change the track by my hand. Everything works perfectly using the DCS with no shorts. I have a cross over (left to left) that works with no problems

SCENARIO #2---- I initially used another transformer from a train set to control the switches and using the auxiliary  ports on the bottom of the switches with the power ports to go to a 12 port MTH cardlike a terminal strip.. I got Switch # 1 (a right turnout to a passing track) and #2 (left turnout to go to the outer loop-did not connect the left turnout from the outer loop to switch #2) to work. The minute I connected the left turnout from the outer loop to switch #2 (switch from the inner loop)...short!!!

SCENARIO #3---- Moved the power source from the little transformer to the Z1000. Same scenario as in # 2 above...Short!!

I checked the electricity 1) from the Z1000 to the terminal strip and 2) from the terminal strip to the switch auxiliary ports. Each was getting voltage. Each time I went to #3 to change track position I could hear the AIU click for port 3; however nothing was happening at the switch. From that I assume that the current from the AIU was getting thru the switches inside of the unit since I could hear a click. Have any idea how I can check and see if they are getting to the switch from the AIU?

Any thoughts or suggestions? I am out of patience....

JOHN, it sounds to me like your power sources are out of phase with each other. If so, your out of phase issue begins at one of the transformer's cord's that plug into your house's outlet. When transformers are out of phase, the neutral and common of one of the cords are reversed on one of your transformers, OR as JOHNG commented if your using the 14 volt accessory portion of the Z1000 and it was wired wrong internally, it's 14 volt hook up is out of phase with the 18 volt barrel jack. In that case, just try reversing the positive and negative that is powering your switch track. NOTE: On MTH switch tracks the track's accessory ground and the outside rails are connected together internally. This would be where the short is occurring if the track's power source for running the trains is out of phase with the power source for operating the switch track. 

I believe the problem is the track output of the Z-brick barrel jack is opposite - the center pin is common and the outside of the barrel is hot. 

The 14 volt accessory output is clearly marked.

The track power gets correctly phased with accessory output when using a Z-controller or the MTH adapter cable to supply the input of the TIU.

When a Z-brick is plugged into a TIU as accessory power for the TIU, it is phased internally.

JOHNGALTLINE addressed this already.

How have you connected the Z-brick to track power?

Phase the output wires of the brick to the accessory posts of the same brick.  Then, phase any other AC transformers. 

All scenarios should work well after that.

here's the phasing process from the 1954 Lionel Operators Manual