MTH DCS Standard Gauge w/Z4000 & 2 KWs.

[lionel2]

Hello all, I am trying to wire up my DCS system to my Standard Gauge trains.  I have a TIU, 2 AIUs, 2 Z1000 power bricks, Z4000 and 2 KWs. With all that hardware, how do I wire it all up??  I have 4 independent loops.  On the two larger loops I have 2 PS2 locomotives- 381SS and a 1835E steam loco, both newer MTH.  On my two smaller inner loops, I have 2 prewar locomotives- 385E and 390E.  I just wanted to know how to wire it all up to have full control of both prewar and newer MTH locomotives.  Also, I have newer MTH switches that I would like to wire to my AIUs.  How do I do that?  And is the current software for the TIU 5.0?  Or did MTH update it?  Thanks and hope you can help me out.  As I have my neice and nephew coming to my house on Thanksgiving day and I want all the trains working with the DCS system.  Jeff

[phillyreading]

I would use the MTH Z-4000 with the DCS base(TIU) and buy & read the book by Barry Broskowitz on DCS as it will be very helpful. The TIU needs to be at least up to 4.2 version by MTH, the 5.0 is for wifi or other electronic device control.

The switches need to be wired into the AIU and have power supplied to each switch(MTH Z-1000) as the AIU only acts as a switch and not a power source.

Lee Fritz

[lionelsoni]

"The switches need to be wired into the AIU and have power supplied to each switch(MTH Z-1000) as the AIU only acts as a switch and not a power source."

Lee, this is why I try to write "turnout" for track and save "switch" for the electrical component, when trying to explain something on the forum.  Many original posters with a problem would have understood from the context which kind of switch I meant; but some may not.