I am in the planning stages for a new Layout. The size is 6.5'x16. I will be using Lionel Fastrack, and only TMCC or Legacy equipped locos. I have no intention of adding DCS or wanting to run conventional stuff where power blocks would be required.

I already have the Legacy command set, and plan on using a "NEW" ZW with the 2-180 watt bricks for power. I plan on using 1 chanel of the ZW for track power, and one for accessory power. I have ordered the Conrail Diesel Freight (Legacy Equipped) set from the 2008 volume 1 catalogue. The set comes with a CW80 transformer, which will also probably be used for accessory power down the road.

I am currently building the trainroom, and have a few questions regarding the power requirements I should build into the room.

I was planning 3 circuits. One for track power, one for accessory power, and one for general room power. I am going to have a wall receptacle at each end of the 16' table for each circuit. The track and accessory circuits, will each route through a wall switch (with a pilot light)so they can be completely shut down.

I intend to run a surge protected power strip, from each receptacle to a location near the control panel, where the various items can be plugged in.

The questions I have:

1. I understand the Legacy base should be powered up prior to the track. How much time should elapse between powering Legacy, and powering the track??

2. Should the track and accessory wall outlets be ground fault protected receptacles.....is this necessary, or just another precaution??

3. Should the Legacy base be plugged directly to a wall outlet? I read on another post, Legacy works better by not going through a power strip.

4. Should I run a complete circuit just for the Legacy system, (would mean 4 circuits to the room) or would it be OK to plug Legacy into the accessory power outlet, or the general room power outlet for that matter??

Any suggestions or comments will be appreciated. Much easier to make changes at this stage rather than later when the room is finished.

Thanks
REV

This message has been edited. Last edited by: revitupfaster,

quote:

1. I understand the Legacy base should be powered up prior to the track. How much time should elapse between powering Legacy, and powering the track??

I have all my transformers on power strips and I power them on first and then power up the layout. It usually takes me two / three seconds to apply power to the transformers. I have never had a signal issue associated with powering up a TMCC/Legacy base or TIU.

quote:

2. Should the track and accessory wall outlets be ground fault protected receptacles.....is this necessary, or just another precaution??

On any layout I am associated with it is a requirement. Additionally you should check the ground plug to assure that it is a true ground to avoid or minimize TMCC signal issues later when you build your layout.

quote:

3. Should the Legacy base be plugged directly to a wall outlet? I read on another post, Legacy works better by not going through a power strip.

I have had no issues going through the power strip.

quote:

4. Should I run a complete circuit just for the Legacy system, (would mean 4 circuits to the room) or would it be OK to plug Legacy into the accessory power outlet, or the general room power outlet for that matter?

It should not matter. My entire layout is powered via one 20 amp outlet using dual Z4000, 3 180 Lionel bricks, two PW ZW bricks. On this setup I can run more than 40 engines (all built within the past 4 years - no PW running at the moment) simultaneously without power issues. When I add another transformer or two more bricks with 4 more loops, I will split the load between two 20 amp circuits.

Winrose, when you say you power on the transformers, then the layout, exactly what do you mean?

I would consider the transformers as track and accessory power supplies. Where do you have the command control stuff plugged in? When do you power up Legacy/TMCC?

Do you use on/off switches on the power bars to turn on the transformers, or do you shut down the transformers individually after operating sessions?

Probably dumb questions but I'm trying to visualize the procedure I should follow.

REV

Everything on my layout is plugged into powerstrips. Two feeding one because of the TIU radio shack bricks. When I turn on the powerstrips, the power goes to the DCS TIUs, Legacy and TMCC command bases. I then power up one or more tracks to run the engines. My accessories are primary connected to the PW ZWs with one handle of the ZW powering my 6th loop via a Scott's breaker box (I stopped using fuses after I ran my Radio Shack store out of 10 amp quick blow fuses when I was wiring the layout.) My transformers are all on once the power strip is switched on. I then power up the handles of the Z4000 or toggle the Lionel 180 bricks to activate a specific loop or accessory.

My layout is only slightly smaller than yours. My layout is on the same circuit (20 amp I think) as the rest of that particular room in my basement. I've had no problems with circuits tripping or anything like that. I have three power bricks (track), a CW-80 (accessories) and a small radio shack transformer (switch power)....plus household light bulbs under the layout.

I would think that a ground fault would only be necessary if there is a possibility of water hitting that circuit. If you do expect that, I would consider moving the layout elsewhere. A decent power strip should have some circuit protection.

If you aren't going to run any conventional, why go with the expense (and size) of the new ZW? Just go with the power bricks and TPCs. Those can be easily tucked under the layout. Plus, you can easily add more if the need arises.

My layout is powered on via a single, household light switch and everything goes through a powerstrip. However, since I'm using TPCs, no power is delivered to the tracks until I address the TPCs via the Legacy remote. If there is any problem with which gets powered on first, this addresses that...and, I've had no problems.

cerbyg - I had thought of using just the power bricks, but in so doing, I think I would need to use the TMCC direct Lockon. By the time you buy the Lockon, and a couple of 180 Powerhouses, you are not far off the ZW price. The ZW would then give you 4 outputs, on all of which you can control voltage, and have circuit breaker protection. Just seems to be a better bang for the buck in the long run. (I also don't know if you would need more TMCC Lockons for additional track power drops or not. If so, this would add additional expense)

I am allowing in my plans, a space for a future expansion of another loop, which would drop off one end of the 16' section onto another 5'x 12' area.

Regarding the ground fault thing, this seems to be a question where some think it absolutely necessary and others don't think it that important. As far as a potential water hazard, not an issue. The layout is in a basement, but no water or dampness considerations at all. Real high and dry.

REV

I'm not sure what value the TMCC lockons provide but I don't use them. I use TPCs so that I can run conventional if I want to. You are probably right about the total cost but I prefer the compact size of the components. All of them sit on a small shelf under my layout. I like not having a control panel.

I suppose ground fault outlets won't hurt and they don't cost very much. However, I don't think they are necessary as I've had my layout up for almost a decade and I've never popped a circuit. Granted, I have popped the breakers on the power bricks a time or two!!!!

I stand corrected, checking further, the TMCC direct lockon looks like it is used with tubular track, not Fastrack. I assume to add additional power drops, you would just need to go from the transformer to a busbar (terminal block) and run the additional wires to other Fastrack terminal track sections.

I am using Fastrack and only TMCC/Legacy, and most of the "Owners Manuals / Instruction Sheets" are written mostly referencing tubular track connection, with maybe a small reference to Fastrack. I can't seem to find any clear instructions that deal with power connections to a Legacy/TMCC Fastrack layout only. There are so many different ways to connect power, it's confusing to say the least. Especially when you are a newbie.

REV

Rev,

You stand corrected again.

The older version of the TMCC direct lockon is for tubular track.

You want the new version. It works with fastrack. Part number 6-34120.

Thanks trestrainfan, I do stand corrected for a second time. How would you connect additional power drops to various sections of the track. Would you need an additional TMCC Lockon at each drop??