@stargazerm42 I'm not using the 50-1017 adaptor cable at all. The black banana plug simply plugged into the back of the one of the banana plugs on the output side of the TIU. The banana plugs have a hole in the back of them that allows you to chain them together. The radio shack part number of 274-734.
Just a note. On Lionel brick transformers, as well as most modern electrical cords, the wires have a ribbed side and a smooth side. This distinguishes the differences in polarity of the plug. The ribbed side is AC Ground/Common/Neutral, and the smooth side is AC Hot. This extremely important when phasing 2 or more transformers together so there are no short circuits. It’s also important, that you want the center rail to be AC Hot for Whistle/Horn working properly and not getting the Bell sounds because the polarity incorrect. Also Eric, I wouldn’t recommend you using 2 wires with alligator clips to test for correct phasing or short circuits. It’s safer and better to use 1 wire with alligator clips, and the other wire with a light bulb with 2 wires leads attached. If you have a short circuit, the light will not light, and there won’t be any sparks flying around, nor will your transformer circuit breaker possibly trip. If you have the the wires hooked up correctly, the light bulb will light up. Then you know you hooked the transformer wires up correctly, and everything is phased properly. It’s so much safer and easier. Just my recommendation.
Eric, A suggestion. Why not rig a small battery (DC source) to both wire pairs. Then use a meter to read positive or negative voltage. Make the pair match (P or N) in this way relative to the battery input and your good to go. That eliminates sparks and tripping breakers.
The output channels to go the track. If you're confused, buy the DCS tutorial DVD that OGR Magazine made a few years ago. It explains everything in a way that's very easy to understand.
@jlpgaming2752 Yeah, you could do the same thing with a Z-1000. Alternatively, MTH makes an adaptor cable that plugs into the end of the Z-1000 power cord and coverts it to banana plugs so that you don't have to do any cutting at all. The part number is 50-1017.
@dbdrdbag For the very first power supply, I tested that one against an MTH transformer that already had the black and red terminals built into it. After that, additional power supplies were tested against the first one I had put in. I hope that makes sense. If not, check out the Fed/March issue of OGR magazine as it has a great article in the back on how to properly phase your transformers.
@viper7077 If the circuit breaker is not tripping correctly, you shouldn't be using that transformer as having a transformer with a defective circuit breaker can damage the trains.
I didn't split any wire in 4. The cable that I spoke of previously connect the TIU to the Legacy base so that you can control the trains. What I'm talking about in this video is the power supply, which is totally different. This video was about power, not controlling the trains.
Excellent explanation of how to do phasing. One thing, You probably used the MTH Z1000 at one point to get the "standard" usually common and hot posts to your other Lionel Bricks. If it's the first brick where you are going to cut the cord, I would phase it to something that is known like your Z1000 or other transformer so that you the bell and whistle will work correctly. Once you have establish correct polarity, from now on you are set using the layout phasing like in your video.
Great video Eric! I always check your Facebook page. I made sure to stay up late to catch your blog the second it came out. Cant wait to see that signal tutorial video!
Great video Eric, I wired my bricks to the TIU using Lionel part # 6-14194 TMCC TPC Cable set. The kit comes with two male and two female connectors. I connected the female connectors to the bricks instead of cutting the wire. The two female connectors are hooked together so I just cut them apart and stripped the wires. this allowed me to use one brick per channel like your setup.
Awesome video Eric. Great timing in it also, I just purchased a DCS system and your video just answered slit of questions for me. Thanks for posting it.
Awesome blog video Eric!!! Love the power supply info and I can't wait to get the Atlas tutorial! Thanks for another great video my friend and have a great one!
"this procedure is real complicated"... Snip.. That made my day- I think Erics dry and hilarious sense of humor is why his videos are so interesting! Thanks Eric- keep it up! :)
Eric, I have a question about linking up the wires to the power unit for you: now that you can tell which one is red and which is black by connecting the existing ones, but how did you test the the polarity of the wires when you connected the first unit?
Does only one new ZWL Transformer power a Legacy only layout? Because that has 620 Watts of power. Also, it has more than triple the amount of power as 3 powerhouse 180s.
In your wire polarity test, doesn't one wire have serrated insulation and the other wire smooth insulation? Its just a matter of knowing which does what on the other 3 Xfrmrs...they should all be the same
In your other video, didn't you say you have to buy that wire that connects the legacy system and the DCS system that plugs into the top of the DCS TIU?? And also if that is the case, why do you still have to split the wire in 4????
Eric, thank you for the information but i think using a meter to test polarity is a safer way to test than shorting out the transformer. I have had trouble in the past with the circuit breaker NOT tripping like it is soposed to which in turn cause catastrophic damage.
Eric, I do not understand how you piggybacked the black banana plug onto the MTH 50-1017 TIU/Barrel Jack Power Adapter Cable? Do you have a Radio Shack part no.?
I'm curious as to what led rope light you are using. I want to do the same thing for lighting but amazon isn't too friendly about it. Either doesn't look bright like yours or false advertising.
@stargazerm42 I'm not using the 50-1017 adaptor cable at all. The black banana plug simply plugged into the back of the one of the banana plugs on the output side of the TIU. The banana plugs have a hole in the back of them that allows you to chain them together. The radio shack part number of 274-734.
I always wondered how your layout is powered, pretty educational how you explained it!
Thanks!
@Broncort1 Yeah, but it's best to sure because sometimes the transformers are wired wrong at the factory.
Just a note. On Lionel brick transformers, as well as most modern electrical cords, the wires have a ribbed side and a smooth side. This distinguishes the differences in polarity of the plug. The ribbed side is AC Ground/Common/Neutral, and the smooth side is AC Hot. This extremely important when phasing 2 or more transformers together so there are no short circuits. It’s also important, that you want the center rail to be AC Hot for Whistle/Horn working properly and not getting the Bell sounds because the polarity incorrect. Also Eric, I wouldn’t recommend you using 2 wires with alligator clips to test for correct phasing or short circuits. It’s safer and better to use 1 wire with alligator clips, and the other wire with a light bulb with 2 wires leads attached. If you have a short circuit, the light will not light, and there won’t be any sparks flying around, nor will your transformer circuit breaker possibly trip. If you have the the wires hooked up correctly, the light bulb will light up. Then you know you hooked the transformer wires up correctly, and everything is phased properly. It’s so much safer and easier. Just my recommendation.
Eric, A suggestion. Why not rig a small battery (DC source) to both wire pairs. Then use a meter to read positive or negative voltage. Make the pair match (P or N) in this way relative to the battery input and your good to go. That eliminates sparks and tripping breakers.
@MthRailFanatic It's always best to test to make sure.
The output channels to go the track. If you're confused, buy the DCS tutorial DVD that OGR Magazine made a few years ago. It explains everything in a way that's very easy to understand.
Cool
Very well done. Thank you so much.
@jlpgaming2752 Yeah, you could do the same thing with a Z-1000. Alternatively, MTH makes an adaptor cable that plugs into the end of the Z-1000 power cord and coverts it to banana plugs so that you don't have to do any cutting at all. The part number is 50-1017.
Thank you so much. I've purchased a power unit, etc. but have not tried to hook it up yet. Your information is very helpful. Thanks again Eric.
@SplitHairz I guess you could, but either way it's the same test.
@dbdrdbag For the very first power supply, I tested that one against an MTH transformer that already had the black and red terminals built into it. After that, additional power supplies were tested against the first one I had put in. I hope that makes sense. If not, check out the Fed/March issue of OGR magazine as it has a great article in the back on how to properly phase your transformers.
I appreciate the detail you give on your blogs thank you
@viper7077 If the circuit breaker is not tripping correctly, you shouldn't be using that transformer as having a transformer with a defective circuit breaker can damage the trains.
Thanks Eric for the help. I see what I need to do now.
I didn't split any wire in 4. The cable that I spoke of previously connect the TIU to the Legacy base so that you can control the trains. What I'm talking about in this video is the power supply, which is totally different. This video was about power, not controlling the trains.
Thanks Eric ! Great video, thanks for sharing
Excellent explanation of how to do phasing. One thing, You probably used the MTH Z1000 at one point to get the "standard" usually common and hot posts to your other Lionel Bricks. If it's the first brick where you are going to cut the cord, I would phase it to something that is known like your Z1000 or other transformer so that you the bell and whistle will work correctly. Once you have establish correct polarity, from now on you are set using the layout phasing like in your video.
Nice layout
thanks great video
Awesome video Eric! I'm glad you finally got your new brick.
@trainroomgary Yeah, the ZW's are nice. I just prefer to not have them.
Great video Eric! I always check your Facebook page. I made sure to stay up late to catch your blog the second it came out. Cant wait to see that signal tutorial video!
Great video Eric, I wired my bricks to the TIU using Lionel part # 6-14194 TMCC TPC Cable set. The kit comes with two male and two female connectors. I connected the female connectors to the bricks instead of cutting the wire. The two female connectors are hooked together so I just cut them apart and stripped the wires. this allowed me to use one brick per channel like your setup.
Awesome video Eric. Great timing in it also, I just purchased a DCS system and your video just answered slit of questions for me. Thanks for posting it.
Awesome blog video Eric!!! Love the power supply info and I can't wait to get the Atlas tutorial! Thanks for another great video my friend and have a great one!
@goldengecko1999 Yeah, it's a transformer.
"this procedure is real complicated"... Snip..
That made my day- I think Erics dry and hilarious sense of humor is why his videos are so interesting! Thanks Eric- keep it up! :)
@pjmilazzo That's what I did.
Eric, I have a question about linking up the wires to the power unit for you: now that you can tell which one is red and which is black by connecting the existing ones, but how did you test the the polarity of the wires when you connected the first unit?
Does only one new ZWL Transformer power a Legacy only layout? Because that has 620 Watts of power. Also, it has more than triple the amount of power as 3 powerhouse 180s.
In your wire polarity test, doesn't one wire have serrated insulation and the other wire smooth insulation? Its just a matter of knowing which does what on the other 3 Xfrmrs...they should all be the same
I just plan to run legacy engines and legacy lash ups. Does one new ZWL Transformer do it all? Because the L in ZWL stands for Legacy.
In your other video, didn't you say you have to buy that wire that connects the legacy system and the DCS system that plugs into the top of the DCS TIU?? And also if that is the case, why do you still have to split the wire in 4????
Eric, thank you for the information but i think using a meter to test polarity is a safer way to test than shorting out the transformer. I have had trouble in the past with the circuit breaker NOT tripping like it is soposed to which in turn cause catastrophic damage.
@scooternerf 8 days, 14 hours, 34 minutes, 40 seconds, 23 milliseconds...give or take a millisecond or two.
I see you got the Rock Island Heritage unit! I Have seen that in real life, and it is a great locomotive!
Hi Eric, what about if you have the new 3 wire 180 power house, which is hot on that setup? Thanks
Great vid! Also, nice speed racer shirt.
@esiegel76 True. What are some some other ways you could test it with?
Eric, I do not understand how you piggybacked the black banana plug onto the MTH 50-1017 TIU/Barrel Jack Power Adapter Cable? Do you have a Radio Shack part no.?
I have a power hose 180 with 3 wire how do you find the hot and the common on the 3 wire
I'm curious as to what led rope light you are using. I want to do the same thing for lighting but amazon isn't too friendly about it. Either doesn't look bright like yours or false advertising.
I just purchased two Powerhouse to TIU adapters from C.T. McCormic for about $12.00 apiece.
Thanks for the advice on the 180 bricks Eric. Now when you do this will it always be the same the right will be black and the left will be red?
lol i thought your #1 question would be how you afford all of your trains. Maybe do a tutorial on Xeroxing dollar bills? ;)
when is episode 19 coming
Question for you Eric..I have a z4000 and a lionel 180 watt brick.. which would be the best way to hook it up to dcs ? Thanks buddy..
How do you know how many bricks to power your layout?
lol speed racer shirt
Hey eric I was woundering how do you have you aiu wired in
Just for clarification Eric, can you please tell us if the cable with the serrated insulation is red or black on your own layout ? Thanks !