Dave did ask: “…has anyone tried two transformers in parallel.”
Sorry Bob, I missed that.[oops]
Would two Z phased be similar enough to run in parallel.
I am now running into a problem with 4 different transformers on 4 different layouts with the common ground. Even though they are phased, there still is a little leakeage and my command engines that are shut down do have their headlights on very dim and also do put a load on the total transformer sees. I originally was going to run seperate ground wires to all 5 layouts from 5 seperate transformers, but the ground data will transfer to another track and if all engines do not have different id;s it is possible to call up two engines running off different power supplies.
Any ideas on how to solve this.
My only idea is to have all different Ids. Dave.
Bob: I know the sine 45 degrees is .707 for rms power, but doesn;t the diode besides haveing 1/2 wave for the ac also require 7/10 of a volt to turn on. So wouldn;t the ac to DC be voltage be half voltage plus an additional .7 volts. Then each time another diode is added it is getting hit by dc so just the extra .7 volts would be lost.
I know you can expect a 1.4 volt drop across a bridge rectifier as you have .7 in 3 forward biased diodes and .7 on the one reversed biased.
Anyway this is getting technical and I respect you knowledge on it all.
I would be cautious about connecting even the same model. Transformers are usually “jumble wound”; so the number of turns can vary somewhat. Furthermore, the Z was made both before and after the war, and Lionel was not fastidious about consistency in any of their manufacturing.
However, if you can measure ac current, it is not hard to check whether there is a circulating current. Just make the initial connection through the ammeter.
The type Z does have the disadvantage that there is no fixed-voltage output. So any jostling of the controls could upset a voltage match.
Dave, I think you must have meant your second posting for another thread; so I am going to copy it and answer you there.