POWER SUPPLY PROBLEM

[Anonymous]

OK all you railroaders out there,I have a problem.I had a gentleman come in and lay out a four seperate track layout for me. Each track has a toggle switch that can turn power on to one track or all four tracks at any one time.I have a DCS system hooked up with a cab #1 command to my base.Here comes the problem.I have a Lionel ZW 275 watt transformer with two 180 watts each bar that comes with the transformer.This gentleman hooked up the power so all I do is turn on the right handle of the transformer and toe power comes on the entire layout.with this I can only run my trains for a few minutes and the breaker blows on the 180 watt bar,loseing all my power. I know this hook up is wrong and I can not reach the fella that hooked me up. The power should be equal I think useing both ZW handles.I'm not to bright when it comes to electrical hook up,so could someone walk me through the proper way to hook up my power to my trains. Would appreciate this immensly
Thank You
Danny

[Anonymous]

I expect we will need more information but I will try to help.
I am no expert on DCS but consider that your TIU has four channels, each rated to handle 10 amps [180 watts] capacity. You could serve each of four power districts or "blocks" with 10 amps each if desired. This would mean connecting 10 amps or 180 watts of transformer capacity to each TIU channel.

But, as I understand your post you have a postwar 275 watt ZW which even when its cool only has a maxium output of about 180 watts[10 amps] whether from one of both throttles["bars" ??]. The pw ZW is a single core transformer with 275 watt input and 180 watt output.. (if your transformer is a new Lionel Celebration series unit with two 180 watt PoHos connected, it appears that you are only useing the capacity of one).

As regards the load on your power supply, how many tracks you have is not the issue--------how many engines and lighted cars you are running on those tracks defines the load. Obviously you are running equipment that is drawing greater than 10 amps or 180 watts which is the maximum capacity of your ZW.

If you want to maximize the capability of your DCS system and run multiple trains you need additional transformers which could be connected to supply additional TIU channels and all of your power districts [or tracks].

If your four separate tracks or ovals are connected by track switches [turnouts] you need to have the center rail between the separate tracks insulated by a gap or insulated rail joiner. If I understand your toggle switch set-up the four tracks are either insulated from one another or, have no rail connection whatever-----completely separate. Tracks are separate but electrically wired to be powered together via a single toggle.

With the limited power supply you now have you will have to use the individual toggles to toggle -on or off a limited number of trains/tracks at a time or ,get more transformer power.

[Anonymous]

Hi Leonard
Thanks for your help.My transformer,if it is only 180 watt,I have two other power sources with the bars that up to 360 watts more,that gives me a total of 540 watts.Shouldn't that be enough power to run four trains? all the power in turned on with the right hand arm of the transformer,I don't think thats correct way to hook up this transformer.shouldn't the power supply be eual on both sides of the transformer. Let me know
Thanks
Danny

[Anonymous]

Danny
Then you have the Celebration Series ZW . The ZW itself is a controller and I am not familar with its set-up and operation. But as regards 180 watt PowerHouse transformers ["bricks"] connected to it , I use 11 of them on two layouts through TPCs. It appears that your set-up is connected to just utilize one of your 180 PoHos.

I believe the Celebration has 4 throttles, one for each transformer and its power district. You cannot parallel one or more of the PoHos ,using the ZW controller, enabling it to supply more than 180 watts per throttle. In other words, you have 540 watts total capacity but can only use it as three separate 180s---and your right hand throttle is only supplying 180 watts to all of your tracks.

Nevertheless you could wire it to supply 180 to each of two separate tracks [two power districts] from two trhottles and 180 watts to the other two tracks combined into one power district. from one throttle. If you are operating your DCS system in command, you will have all 3 of the throttles being used set to 18 volts any way. You will be utilizing 3 channels of your TIU .

Hopefully some one with both ZW Celebration and DCS knowledge will log on and help you.

[Anonymous]

Hi Leonard
Boy am I confused,all I know is that all of my power is running through one side of my Transformer,and this should not be,that is why one of the 180 watt bricks breaker is kicking the power off,your right I need to split this up,but I don't know how to do it
Thanks
Danny

[Anonymous]

Danny
Do you have an Instruction Manual that explains the set-up ,the hook-up, for the Celebration controller? I assure you that all of your 540 watts of power is not flowing through one throttle because the ZW controller does not have the capability to parallel all three 180 watt PoHos. That can only be done with a TPC [Track Power Controller] and then only two 180 PoHos.

To start, cut off that master toggle switch that connects all four tracks. And if the four tracks are not connected to one another by rails[turnouts] or, if it is connected, the center rails are insulated; then look for the place on the Controller where the PowerHouse cord/plug is connected for that righthand throttle. Then connect a second PowerHouse's in the same manner on a second throtte. Then do the same for the third PowerHouse/throttle.

You would now have three tracks powered by 180 watt PoHos and one track dead. You could then close the toggles on two tracks only to connect them together for operation of the two combined at 180 watts of capacity.

Look in the Manual for any potential instruction for necessity to program the ZW Controller. I have never seen a Celebration controller but the catalog photo definitely shows four throttles [two engineer handle throttles and two thumb size throttles ].

[Anonymous]

Hi Leonard
Just got a hold of the guy who laid out my trains and explained it to him,he will be here sometime nest week to correct the problem. He advised that he has to split up the Bars so two tracks at a time receive the 180 watt watt of power,he says I'm receiving all 360 watts to the ZW,which can only hold 180 watts per channel.Does this sound correct to you.Thanks for your help and careing about my problem.You are a super guy lots of luck
Danny

[Anonymous]

Its possible to control all four outputs with a single handle, but it is not supplying 360 watts to any track or power district--that would require capabillity to parallel transformers which the Celebration cannot do , only 180 per track or district.
Read your instructions carefully when you have time. Meantime I am sure someone who has your same set-up will log on and explain better than my attempt..