I spent some time rewriting my layout this year to use buss lines. I put in a line for my #71 lamps (10 of them) and a line for my house lighting (9 houses). Both of the buss lines share a common ground buss line. The ground buss line connects to the u post of the lamp post line. I thought the grounds were tied together in the transformer. Now for the odd behavior. When I turn on the voltage that has the ground attached to it both buss lines are powered (lights to lamps ans houses are powered). When I turn on the other line that does not have a u ground hooked up nothing happens. When I run a ground to that line that didn't have one before it has the ability to turn on both lines as well.
Any explanations for why this would happen? I separated the line bc I wanted to minimize the voltage load to each post. I have run it for awhile and it doesn't trip or overload but I am a bit frustrated bc I soldered for awhile only to have the same result of the load on one line.
The Lionel type "Z" transformer does have all of it's "U" terminals tied together as a comoon. While your description does not exactly match the symptoms I'd expect to see, I'd check two things:
1 - is the common post you are using ok? - The common posts are tied together by a metal bus bar inside the transformer. It is possible that the terminal you have selected has broken away from the bar. If you have a meter, disconnect the buss line and check for voltage between the specific terminal post you are using, and one of the "hot" terminals (A,B,C, and D). If you get a reading the terminal should be good. If you don't have a meter, use a spare miniature lamp, and/or try a different post. 2 - Did you mix up the common feed and hot feed on your ground bus line? (many of us have done this on occasion)
Hope this helps.
Problem solved. Ground and hot inverted. I can't believe I did that! Thank you for the quick solve. I was stumped.
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