lashing up engines

[Anonymous]

question---using a 180 lionel power brick and two separate loops--how many engines can i la***ogether without tripping the breaker off the same power source-presently using the 180 brick with the dcs system, i cannot operate more then two engines on two different loops without tripping the breaker-when i lash up a third engine the breaker pops-using the dcs system's track voltage check to check for shorts or low voltage output, there is no indication of a problem-i read that the dcs system can operate up to five engines off the same power source? does anyone have a similar problem or suggestions as to how i can solve my problem-thank you[?]

[Roger Bielen]

Tom it's more a function of the number and type of motors rather than the number of engines. When I used a single 135 I could get away with 2 motors if I had passenger cars, 3 with a freight consist. I currently use 2 X 180 with a TPC400 and can run a K-line A-A 4 motor set with passenger cars, a 2 GP lashup (2 motors), and a freight switcher (1 motor). If I switch one of the engines over to my old 2020 TMCC conversion I trip the breaker.

I know this hasn't directly answered your question but as you can see it's more a matter of trial and error to find a workable combination.

[spankybird]

HI Tom,

It may also depend:
1. on how long of a loop or section of track that your one channel of the TIU is feeding,
2. how many feeder line are to that section of track
3. and also what size wire are you using?


tom