One more post, I'll stop pestering you! Maybe

[Fred Bear]

OK, one more question, today at least. If I had 4 of those MTH transformers that come with the sets, single outputs on each one, could a person use those 4 to power the 4 circuits on the TIU? Would they be in phase? I have two post war ZW's but I do not get the nice spike for the whistles on the conventionals. The current ZW only has two outputs I think. Thanks to all those who are helping me. Jake

[Anonymous]

Jake,

         You can power a TIU with MTH set transformers.  However, you have to buy an adapter cable(50-1017) to connect the brick to the TIU.  The reason you need the cable is because the controller that comes with the transformer chops the sine wave, causing the TIU to make a buzzing sound.  I was told not to connect the controllers to the TIU, instead purchase the adapter cables to connect the bricks directly to the TIU.  This eliminates the buzzing, and the potential for damaging the TIU.  The adapter cables sell for about $10 each.

[ChiefEagles]

If it is a Post War 275W ZW, it has four out puts.  Two big handles with 20 V and two inner handles with 18V. 

[wrmcclellan]

Fred,

There is a photo here on MTH's web site. The picture should make this a little easier to understand and you can see where to plug the transformer into the cable. When you do this, you are no longer using the MTH Z-500/750/1000 controller (unit with the speed control, bell, whistle, and direction buttons). The TIU and the remote will replicate these functions for you.

http://www.railking1gauge.com/detail.asp?item=50-1017

To answer one of your questions - they should be in phase if they are all MTH transformers (This is no guarantee however - errors do occur in manufacturing).

You can also use your PW ZW. Do not use the whistle controllers on the ZW. Use the whistle button on the DSC Remote to blow conventional operation whistles.

As you have probably read - you need to use some fuses (10 ampere) or circuit breakers (also 10 ampere) between the TIU input and the transfomer outputs and between the TIU outputs and the track.

The TIU is also equipped with some internal fuses (20 ampere) that are there to hopefully prevent serious damage to the TIU. Do not depend on these fuses to prevent damge to your trains or other equipment. They are there to merely protect the TIU internal circuuitry should there be a serious fault on the layout.