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power wiring

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  • Member since
    September 2006
  • 32 posts
power wiring
Posted by fastrackjonnie on Monday, November 6, 2006 11:03 PM

I'm planning for the wiring of power for my FasTrack Christmas layout which has over a dozen switches, a couple of uncouplers, an operating track, and two accessories.  The layout will be only TMCC and will operate 3 or 4 trains.  I plan to use the modern version ZW with (4) 180W Powerhouses for track power (divided into 4 sections with the middle rail insulated between sections). 

I have a postwar ZW which I hope to be able to use for the switches, uncouplers, operating track, and accessories.  I plan to use my existing ASC's to control the switches, my existing SC-2 to control the uncouplers and accessories, and an existing OTC to control the operating track.

I assume that I can hook all the above to separate controls on my postwar ZW without problems, but I may be incorrect.  I plan to use the A-U for the ASC's, the D-U for the SC-2 and either the B-U or C-U for the OTC.  Even though there is a common ground, I assume that the A, B, C, and D handles will separately control the devices attached to them.

Can anyone confirm or correct my plans?

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Lake Worth FL
  • 4,014 posts
Posted by phillyreading on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 10:24 AM

You can use the older ZW but put fast blow fuses in line from the A, B, C, or D terminals.  The reason behind this is that the older ZW's circuit breaker is too slow for todays electronic devices, the same can be said for other older transformers also!

Lee F.

Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.

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