The more research I do, seems the more confused I get. Have some basic questions regarding layout and wiring. Below is a diagram of the layout I’m wiring;
Roughly the dimensions are
Along the top 16 feet, the left (west) side is 14 feet, the bottom is 20 feet.
Layout concept is 2 main lines with reversing capability from the inner line in both directions. Hence the figure 8. The lower right side accomodates an “Engine Yard”, and along the bottom is a bypass with an engine escape, parallel to the engine yard. Also a small industrial area is located near the bottom, as a spur coming of the inside main. Additionaly my desire was to be able to access all points without a Duck Under or Pop Up. There are 3 removable bridge areas, 2 on the figure 8, and the mainline bridge on the right side. The rectangle area is a bar, and 2 stools. (Already in place, AND being used.)
The Control Panel is going to be at the upper left, adjacent to the bar. I am using both DCS and TMCC. Mainlines are 72. Powered by 2 ZW transformers. 1 new one for powering the track, TMCC and DCS. The 2nd ZW is a PW, and intended to use it for building lights, and accessory power.
Districts ? Plan on seperating 2 main lines as districts.
Inner line consisting of main line, industrial spur, and figure 8.
Outer line consisting of main line, engine yard, and bypass track
I plan on Channel B and C from the new ZW, thru Var. 1 and 2 of the TIU respectively running each line.
Plan on powering all the switches (Ross w/z1000), thru Throttle D of the new ZW.
Now the Questions -
Since I want to power the switches independently, then I assume that each switch MUST be isolated from the track power by insulators on the center rail. THER
What type of switches are you usuing and what type of switch motors are on them? When you mean that you want to power them independantly mean you mean you don;t want them to use track power? Are you trying to use the switch points to power up specific sections of track behand the switch?
Most of the higher end switches/switch motors can be wired to only pull power from an accessory source, i.e. they ignore track power completely. You only need to worry about center pin isolation when you want to isolate power district 1 from power district 2. If you are trying to use the switches as “relays” to direct power to specific tracks beyond the switch points then the wiring is more complicated. If you are running in command mode only, I’m not sure this is needed. All tracks have power all the time and you just use the command signals to tell specific loco’s what to do.
My layout has been divided into districts, much like you plan. I use TMCC and run conventional as well. tubular and GG. i don’t use DCS and don’t understand the TIU. But, here goes.
first, i put an insulation pin in the center rail after each switch, both the straight thru and turnout. i made sure i dropped power [+ and - ] every 8 feet or so. i made sure that there were power drops [ + and - ] after each switch. on the GG track i jumped the outside rails as well. I think you need do it at the beginning just in case later on when you connect accessories/signals you may want to have either outside rail with a (-). on the tubular this wasn’t needed. color code your wire, in case you later wish to make more districts. see below.
Next, switches. GG/Ross/Lionel. i use a mix of Zstuff 1000s and 2500s on the GG and Ross. I operate the zstuff in a couple of ways. Pushbutton, Z2000, ASC, and z2001 data driver. [i know i over complicated it, but it is a hobby after all] all my switches are powered separately, not track power. since you are using z1000s, the push button runs look to be long. you may want to think thru how you will get the wire from each switch to your control panel for operation. might actually be a shortcut to run a switch power buss parallel to your track power bus. i did and it saved a lot of wire. i used telephone twisted pair…short feeders, those z1000 aren’t wire friendly…to barrier strips, then long runs to the control panel. might actually be cheaper [$] and pain in the knees/back.
Districts, you are planning only 2…i have a lot more…i use tmcc block controlers. i have a lot of districts. they help when you have a lot of lighted passenger cars. if it was all one district, then all the lights would be on all the time, i think??? with districts, they don’t get the power from the track until you turn on the b
No need to insulate the Ross turnouts. They naturally do this as the center rails are not connected electrically. One wire soldered to each rail will leave you with 3 seperate circuits.
You mentioned DCS. I run 3 TIU’s on a large walkaround. While I didn’t think placement of the TIU was important as the first 2 were mounted on the layouts edge below the layouts surface. They work well but there are dead spots at times when trying to communicate with the remote for the TIU. A friend who installs a lot of DCS systems advised placing the TIU on the layout surface. The middle would be best. I did this on the 3rd one that controls my yard area. Does seem to work better. You also can remove the TIU’s cover. Notice where the antenna is. Drill a hole in the cover and bend the antenna upward so that it passes through the hole. This will aid a little bit as well. Another reason for placing the TIU above on the surface. If you decide to tether the remote for troubleshooting reasons or whatever it is easily done.
You must remember. The wires coming from the TIU not only will carry track voltage but the DCS signal as well. The signal is the key to a good running RR. The shorter the wire runs. The better it will perform. Near the aisle that contains the 2 loops looks like a good spot to place your TIU. Where the power supply is placed doesn’t matter much. Use some 12 gauge wire to power up your TIU. You mentioned you will be using the 2 variable channels. Remember in order for the TIU to work you need power going into Fixed 1 or use an auxillary power supply.
If you plan on using the ZW’s handles to run conventionally. You can use the fixed channels on the TIU. Just leave the handle set to where you get 16 to 18 volts. When you opperate a conventional engine. Simply just run using the handles rather than the remote. If you plan on using just handhelds to run your RR. All thats needed is the 2 bricks to power the variable channels.
Chuck and Ralph - Thanks for your input!!! It has really helped!
Dave - I was just finishing this (below), this morning. Didn’t see your post. You have a LOT of good information there. I’m going back to see about incorporation. REALLY LIKE YOUR IDEAS !!!
Boy do I feel dumb !!!
After ready your responses, and looking at the books again, realized the following;
Switch power (isolation). Obviously, since I’m using Ross w/DZ1000, the switch motor is NOT getting power from the center rail. (Hang over from my O27 days) No Problem, just wire them up through the Xfrmr and AIU. I will use my old PW ZW, throtle B, set at a constant voltage, and wire the motors through a buss line. Then the ground wire through the AIU, and buttons, then switch. Problem resolved.
Will locate the TIU, and 2 AIU’s in approximate area of the Control Panel.
Understand that the specific power drop wire length is significant, NOT the lengths of the various power drops being the same. (each pair Black/Red, not the sets of pairs)
Will set up as a seperate district, each wired with a specific power drop.
So in summary:
From New ZW - (Auxillary TIU p/s being used)
Throttle A - TIU Variable 1 - Outside Mainline, 5 districts, 5 Power Drops (4 on mainline evenly distributed, 1 on spur in top right)
Throttle B - TIU Fixed 1 - Bypass branch, (lower left off mainline) 3 Districts, 3 Power Drops, 2 on the Bypass, one on the engine escape located near engine yard. Also powers Industrial spur, inside of inner Main Loop. 3 Districts, 3 Drops. (Provides isolation to the spurs.)
Throttle C - TIU Fixed 2 - Powers Engine yard, 6 individual Districts, 6 power drops. (3 way switch requires seperate power off each branch). Ultimately, will prepare the inner most spur as a Programming track.
Throttle D - TIU Variable 2 - Powers Inside Main, and Figure 8. 7 Dist