Help power choices for new layout

Without hesitation, I would recommend the ZW-L. It is state of the art and should handle effectively all of the needs you have discussed.

If you want to run the conventional stuff from the MTH remote using the variable voltage channels of the TIU, you can use the inexpensive option and opt for some Lionel PH180 bricks.  You can have three of those for less than one Z4000 and a lot less than the ZW-L.  Unless you want the manual control from the transformer for the voltage, I'd keep it simple, the old KISS solution.

Is it worthwhile knowing the signal quality going to the track, which the bricks cannot provide ?  If so, what are the options using the bricks that will display signal quality ?

Mike  

I wasn't aware that either the Z-4000 or ZW-L provided signal quality? They give voltage and amperage readings. Signal strength (quality) can be obtained from your DCS remote. I have a Legacy 990 on order, but I don't think you can measure signal strength with that at all. Will find out for sure, if I ever get it.

ZW-L would be great, but expensive. Z-4000's are nice, but also expensive. I would love to have a ZW-L, but it's too pricey for my budget. Maybe someday?  You can purchase the PH-180's for around $80 street price and add them as needed. I can just about buy another MTH diesel with the savings.

I am using the PH-180 bricks with my DCS & TIU. I power the TIU separately using a Z-500 brick from a starter set. I would powering the TIU separately when using multiple channels. I use 1 PH-180 per TIU channel used. Purchased some analog volt and amp meters on ebay for about $5-6 each and am making a panel to monitor amperage and voltage from each brick.

I will be powering my switches separately, haven't finalized the power supply for those yet. I'm planning to have toggles to power down all sidings when not in use. I think powering switches is the preferred method around here.

I would also recommend getting the DCS O Gauge Companion for your DCS system, if you haven't already. Lots of great info in there that will help you along and good reference thereafter. OGR has a DVD on it also that is very good if you are just learning the DCS system.

rtr12 is correct, the Z4Ks only measure the voltage & amperage readings, not the DCS signal strength.  The DCS handheld is what's used to measure that.

The only issue that I see with the PH bricks is that the breakers on them are (at least in my experience) a little too touchy, IMHO.  They seem to trip in situations that most other power supplies out there would otherwise ignore that would cause no harm.  Maybe more recent ones are less finicky now or that situation existed with the 135s as that's what I've used (older ones).

Mike,

Your question piqued my interest because I am in much the same situation as you, just getting started in O Gauge after about 45 years in HO and N scale.  I have just two convention engines and 2 MTH PS2 engines.  I am using the suggested Z500 brick from a starter set to power the TIU.  I only am trying DCS out on a single loop of track for now.  Why I am writing is to encourage you to get the DCS Companion book and the ORG DCS DVD.  Both have been extremely helpful to me in getting started.  Even though my job title is Network Engineer, I have a difficult time figuring things out, so these aids, plus all the helpful friends on this forum are crucial for me getting the most out of O Gauge for a reasonable price.

I agree.  I had a Z4000 - good unit and a advantage is that new or used, you can find them for less than a ZW-L.  But my ZW-L runs four big multi-powered unit trains, plus accessories on about 280 feet of track, etc.  I have Legacy, PS1, 2, and 3, and a bunch of new and old conventional locos.  It runs everything well and Legacy and PS3 seem to run a little smoother, slower, than on the Z4000.  To me the difference in price is worth the slightly better low-speed control and all, but its relaly up to you.  

The transformer has nothing to do with the DCS or TMCC signal quality.  The only issue with transformers is the chopped vs. pure sine wave issue, it's best to feed the TIU with a pure sine wave as the variable channels will chop it anyway, and having an already altered waveform has created operational problems in the past using the variable channels.

What would be an example of a pure sine wave to power the TIU with ?  The Radio Shack AC mentioned above or the Z500 ?   

You can power the TIU with AC or DC as it turns out.  The Z500 is a good choice, or any AC or DC power supply in the 12-21 volt range with at least 1.5 amps.  I have some old laptop chargers that I've used to power the club TIU's, they were free and had the right output.