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Wiring multiple MTH tracks

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  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Lake Worth FL
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Posted by phillyreading on Friday, May 16, 2008 3:30 PM

 rmk2357 wrote:
Thank you for the quick reponse.

The first time we wired the Zcontroller(2) to fixed input 1 and fixed input 2 and used output 1 to one track and output 2 to another track....both tracks have power...but we can't figure out how to get both tracks recognized by the DSC remote. When we go to add track section of the remote it only says variable 1 and variable 2. Please help us in how to add tracks.

In the second case we wired the Zcontrollers (2) to the variable input 1 and variable input 2.. We also ran wires from the variable input 1 to fixed input 1 so the TIU would have power. And then we ran from variable ouput 1 to one track and variable output 2 to another track. In this case, we did not get any power to either track. But we do see the LED red light on the TIU. We prefer to use the variable but nothing happens.



What you need to do is come off the Z1000 power brick straight to the TIU auxillary input because if you come off the Z controller the TIU is limited to when the controller has power. I have found it best to use a seperate power source for the TIU, this way it has power all the time. I first turn on the power for the TIU then start the DCS by powering up the remote control, then I turn up the track power slowly to 16 volts(I have a volt meter installed), then I select an engine to power up.

Also I have nine switches hooked up to an AIU.

Lee F.

Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.
  • Member since
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  • From: Powell, OH
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Posted by Wes Whitmore on Thursday, May 15, 2008 9:02 PM

Let's walk through this one more time.  This is how I have it working currently:

 I have two Z1000 controllers, each has it's own 100 watt brick.

Z1000 #1 outputs plug into variable DCS input #1 on TIU.  If you don't have a third transformer, then you should also daisy chained over to fixed DCS input #1 to power TIU.

Z1000 #2 outputs plug into variable DCS input #2 on TIU.

Doing this alone doesn't get any track power.  If you have the LED on the TIU working, that means you should have the ability to turn on power to the track with the remote control, but you need to turn it on.

Press the "TR" button on the remote.  You will see

2: TIU1 VAR1

1:TIU1 VAR2

move your wheel on VAR1 and push the wheel to select it.  Roll the wheel upward to crank up the voltage to whatever top voltage that you want (Start with 12 volts as a safegaurd).  Make sure that the Z1000s have some power going to the TIU now, or nothing will happen.  Your track should now have that voltage.

Do the same thing with VAR2.

 Now both tracks should have 12+ volts.  You can either put the remote down and just use the Z1000 to adjust the input voltage of the two VAR outputs, or use the remote and dial in the voltage that you want.  I find it slow and clunky to run conventional, so I use the Z1000. 

Here is the tricky part:

If you have a third power source to constantly run the TIU, that should solve the problem of the TIU falling asleep when you turn the Z1000 all the way off (which turns the DCS off, which make the track power remain off, even if you turn the Z1000 all the way up).  It's worth getting one, or hooking a third low powered brick.  Unplug that daisychain to fixed #1 you did earlier.  You will find that the TIU will fall asleep and you need to go back into TR and roll the mouse wheel one click to wake it up.  Be careful of your voltage because it will go from 0 volts to whatever you had the max set at earlier, unless the Z1000 is turned down low initially.  Start with your transformers way down in power so you don't send your loco into the stratisphere.  Even with the third power supply, you will still need to go into the remote at initial power up of the layout and click the mousewheel once to wake the track up, but after that, it won't fall asleep.  Just always start with your Z1000s turned down pretty low. 

This is kinda a pain.  Im not an expert in DCS.  If there is a way to have the TIU supply power to the track without having to wake it up, then it would be a great system.  I'm sure it's there, I just haven't found it yet.

Good luck,
Wes

  • Member since
    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 15, 2008 4:00 PM
Thank you for the quick reponse.

The first time we wired the Zcontroller(2) to fixed input 1 and fixed input 2 and used output 1 to one track and output 2 to another track....both tracks have power...but we can't figure out how to get both tracks recognized by the DSC remote. When we go to add track section of the remote it only says variable 1 and variable 2. Please help us in how to add tracks.

In the second case we wired the Zcontrollers (2) to the variable input 1 and variable input 2.. We also ran wires from the variable input 1 to fixed input 1 so the TIU would have power. And then we ran from variable ouput 1 to one track and variable output 2 to another track. In this case, we did not get any power to either track. But we do see the LED red light on the TIU. We prefer to use the variable but nothing happens.



  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Lake Worth FL
  • 4,014 posts
Posted by phillyreading on Thursday, May 15, 2008 3:32 PM

Not sure if this may help but I added an auxilary power source to my TIU and run two tracks by using Fixed Voltage inputs and the handheld. I run a seperate Z1000 transformer(could substitute a Z4000) and contorller for each track as well.Also keep each track powered seperately, NO common feed to either DCS controlled track, both come off the TIU and use the star pattern wiring recommended by MTH. Using a Z750 transformer power pack for TIU power.

Lee F.

Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.
  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Powell, OH
  • 1,257 posts
Posted by Wes Whitmore on Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:46 PM

Everything Jim says is correct and I'm just saying the same thing again.  Fixed just means that there isn't a way to control track voltage with DCS, and whatever you get in, you get out.  Variable means that you can go into the track function and raise and lower track voltage.  If you reduce the Z controller output voltage, then what is passed on to the track is reduced as well.  I use both of the DCS variable outputs from my TIU to feed both of my layout's bottom loops.  When I run a conventional engine, I can either do it with the remote (it does jump from 0Volts to 5Volts so some engines jump start), or I just set the controller down and use the Z controller.  It's much better for kids to run the Z controller.  DCS engines even run full speed with around 12 volts, so you play around with the Z controller output to limit conventional engines that become rockets at 19 volts.  You can just put one Z controller on each variable DCS input.  Beware of mismatched voltages across the two loops.  Only issue I have found is that I couldn't get the DCS signal to turn off, and my KLine F7 horn continually honks.  I guess I need to look at the manual again.

Wes

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Southwest of Houston. TX
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Posted by jimhaleyscomet on Thursday, May 15, 2008 9:27 AM

Yes this will work.  

The only difference between "variable" and "fixed" tracks is the dcs voltage output of the variable port  varies (via remote controll thumbwheel) for a given input voltage.  The variable ports vary the output voltage while adding a command control signal wheras the fixed ports just pass the transformer voltage straight through while adding command control signal.   You can run DCS command locomotives off of either of the ports...but only the variable ports will vary output voltage for controlling conventional locomotives.   Someone correct me if I am wrong...but you can leave the Z controller in the circuit and that will allow you to set a "maximum" output voltage independent of the DCS controller  (great for limiting speed of engines when you hand the remote to a child).  

A more pure option is to have just the transformer outputs connected to the DCS input variable ports and eliminate the Z controllers.    

 Please note that using the DCS variable ports to run some conventional engines gives jackrabbit starts as its minimum output voltage is about 6V.

 

Jim H 

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
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Wiring multiple MTH tracks
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 6:22 PM
I have 2 separate Railroad MTH tracks with 2 separate Rail King Z Controllers and 1 TIU.
I want to hook up each transformer to the TIU for each track and the DCS run each track.

Please help with the proper wiring and to understand the difference betweeen variable vs fixed.

Thanks

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