Wiring terminal strips for accessories

[Anonymous]

    I need some info on the amount of voltage needed for mth and lionel accessories.I have available a pw zw and a Z-4000. I was going  to install terminal strips with certain voltage levels but it seems that some of these accessories like buildings vary their voltage requirements. So before I start buying items I would like to know what they would recommend . I am using realtrax so that makes me confined to use mth track accessories.

[luther_stanton]

The literature that comes with the accessory should have the information you are looking for – at least it does with Lionel.  I am running all Lionel accessories and I have multiple voltage buses in place.  Typically the needed voltage is listed as a range; I always try to stay on the lower side of that range to help extend the life of the accessory.

- Luther

[EIS2]

Most accessories will take a fairly wide range of voltages.  However, two accessories that I have are very sensitive to voltage.  They are the Lionel Oil Drum Loader (6-22997) and the Lionel Sawmill (6-24147). 

[spankybird]

Hi Felix,

As you have noticed, most accessories operate either around 6- 8 volts and the 12 to 16 volts. Therefore I run two bus lines for my accessories, one at 6 volts and one at 14 volts. The 14 volt one also works for my fix power on my switches.

[palallin]

I "discovered" a neat power distribution help.  I, too, was looking for some terminal strips, but I found them to be very expensive.  In looking for an alternative, I spotted the multiple ground bars sold to be used inside electrical service centers/breaker boxes.  I bought a couple to experiment with. 

I ran the multiple busses from the different loops/sidings/spurs on my layout all to that pair of those strips, and then one line from each post of the transformer to each strip (putting toggle switches in the feeds for the sections I need to be able to turn off).  The strips work great, and they really clean up the wiring around the transformer.  That is, they have all the advantages I need of the plastic terminal strips but at about half the cost). 

FWIW, YMMV, Void where prohibited or taxed.

[Anonymous]

Hi Tom........First.. let me tell you what I have. 1...Running 13 mth realtrax switches .I am not using their controlers so that means 1 bulb per switch.I am using my old atlas ho controlers to operate them.The breaker from my 14v.terminal is rated @ 4 amps.I have no idea what the bulbs are rated at.certain items like my mth steel girder bridge with it's flashing beacon bulb needs 14-20v.My operating passenger platform needs 12-14 v.2.....Most of my other station platforms have 2 bulbs each and my switching tower has about 4. My main train terminal must have at least 4 or 5 bulbs.Mth does not tell you what electrcal source is needed to operate these bulb. 3....The 10v terminal from my Z-4000 is also rated at 4 amps.I must know what power the mth bulbs needs so that I can determine how may of these accessories I can accomodate without setting off the breaker.4....Finally I have about 4 or 5 lionel buildings that require 12-18v to light.....I may finally get to use my old zw transformer to regulate the brightness on some of the lionel stuff. I now am looking for a crossing gate some track signals.....Felix

[cheech]

i have a ton of accessories and switches through out a 24x30 layout. terminal strips make the most sense in any layout, but the bigger it is the more sense strips make.

as to cost...allelectric, depending on how many you want, about 85 cents each for a 12 contact euro type strip plus a small delivery charge. 

i have (4) runs of wires going to the the strip [two telephone two pair - r/b/y/g in each run] this gives me a power supply for switches, low volt acc (6-8), high volt acc (14-16) and one for acc which are DC and need bridge rectifiers.... simplified to the transformer and simple to the accessory with feeders using the eruo type saddle connectors and spade type quick connects...plus it is all insulated. ....i run tmcc, so i made it more complicated with AVC and AMC/ASC equipment and i added fuse/TVS protection to save my investment,  but the bus is the only way to fly.

ralph

 

 

[meierleman]

Hello,

Trouble with my new Lionel  6-379190 Sawmill.  The first one just worked three times.  Found out the plastic wheel that drives the belt broke.  Lionel replaced the sawmill.  The new one worked just a couple times.  When turned on the saw blade started, then slowed down to a full stop, started again and repeated the same.It sounded that it was straining, the logs did process though.  This one I just sent back to them.  I am paying a professional man doing the entire layout including the platforms, accessories, just everything.  Have not done this since the mid 50's and the new technology is too hard for me to understand. He has hooked up over 25 accessories, they all work but this one, plus some switches.  I have asked him if he thinks it isn't wired properly. His experienc is all HO. When I get the new one I don;t want the same thing to happen again.  My layout is mostly MTH except for some of my 50's operating cars.

I have tried for Lionel's help but haven't gotten any results.  I would really appreciate if you can tell me what  is the proper wiring hook up that you used.I don't want the same thing to happen again.

Thanking you for your time

Sincerely Ray   [e-mail]

[meierleman]

Hello,

I have had two Lionel Sawmills 6-37919 that worked just two times.  The first one was replaced, the second also.  Just received the third.  I am afraid to have it connected again unless I know the wiring and power to it is correct.  I have asked Lionel many times to let me know why two have failed, just don't want it to happen again.  I have not done one thing to this new layout since I have no knowledge to the new compared to the 50's of which I was able to handle myself at the age of 15 .It is all being done by a man who has worked and built  HO's.  He has a lot of knowledge but this is his first installation with O gauge.

It would be very nice if you can give us a solution.

Sincerely,  Ray