wiring transformers for tmcc

[lehigh valley towerman]

Can anyone please help me in using two transformers in TMCC.? I have a model "r" zw and a "Powerhouse" brick, which I'd like to wire together in my Garden Railroad. I'm not sure if I have the proper connection to improve my wattage output. Most of my Locos run fine, except when using my Sd 45 from Aristo. It does not seem to get enough power.

I currently use the Lional setup with cab 1 controller, along with a "Powermaster" and a "Trainmaster".I feel that I'm missing something in the setup.

I'm not up on the finer points of Garden RR as yet, But having been an employee for severl roads, I can find my way around some other issues.

Thanks for any advise.

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[tree68]

You'll probably do better asking this question over on the Model Railroader or Toy Trains sections of the Kalmbach forums. 

We pretty much stick to 12 inch to the foot here.

[gunrunnerjohn]

Do NOT try to parallel transformers!  The only exception I've seen to this is using two PowerHouse transformers connected to a Lionel TPC.

 

If the transformers are dissimilar, the one that is supplying the higher voltage anywhere along the load curve will try to feed the other one instead of the load, that's a bad thing.   The reason you can run two or the same model PowerHouse units in parallel with the TPC is that they have the same voltage drop under load, so you get minimal interaction between them and the power actually goes to the load.

 

 

[lehigh valley towerman]

Thanks for your reply, I hadn't considered two dissimilar transformers might interact this way. I'm not too good at this as yet, and I hope i"ll live long enough to improve. Would I be better served to establish a second zone as my current loop is approx. 125 ft in length.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Ken Goff

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[gunrunnerjohn]

How many trains are you running on the loop?  Is the 125 feet all one single loop?