when building your layout managing different voltages for track accessories and such?

Multiple transformers all dedicated to either the main lines, sidings, or accessories. Never had a problem doing it this way. Voltage can be set to the proper level with ease.

so your saying use for instance a cw80 and lower or raise the voltages per the accessories attached so one for 4 volts one for 3 volts and one for the 18 volts just set them and when a new accessory is added add it to the transformer that has the right voltages.

Your fixed voltage transformers seems like a great way to go. Wire color coded by voltage should help you later in life.

I like that color code the wire haven't ben doing that.

 

You could always have a fixed accessory voltage line. If a particular accessory needs lower voltage, you can do that with back to back zener diodes in that particular accessory wire. For instance, if your accessory power line is 18 volts and your individual accessory wants only 10 volts, hook two back to back 8 volt zener diodes in series with that accessory.

 

That would simplify wiring a lot, but you would have to solder.

 

Sometimes we go so far out of our way to avoid one particular thing that we actually make more work and more mess for ourselves.

A Lionel RW transformer has voltage taps for 9, 10 and 15 volts as well as the variable one.  I realize these don't precisely match your requirements, but perhaps other models might.  If you could get four different voltages from one transformer, it would seem better than having a whole bank of transformers under the table.

You can buy a used prewar Lionel Z transformer these days for less than $50.  It has 250 watts of power and four outputs of 0-24 volts.

 

One went on an auction site 1-2 months ago for $12.95 and $15 shipping.  I'm still kicking myself for missing it.  Even at $35-50, it wouldn't take too many of these to handle all of your voltage needs.

 

I use them for "set and forget" situations like village lights, lampposts, 260 bumper lights, smoking accessories, beacons, floodlight towers, etc., where the voltage needs to be constant and seldom, if ever adjusted.  250 watts will power a lot of light bulbs.

We use Post War ZWs to power all the odds and ends. Run a buss around the layout and then we have different terminal blocks tied into the bus. Then we use cheap step down modules or step down converters where we need DC for LEDs. The 2 PW ZWs should do our entire layout of lights/access.

I like the lionel Z transformer Idea 4 outputs one for each type of accessory I have.

set it to

18 volt #1   track power accesories

9 Volt #2    signals

4.5 volt #3  yard lights and station

3 volt #4     Menards stuff if not mistaken is 3 volts

Two voltages, 18 volts and 12 volts.   The parallel PH 135, lower left in the following picture, supply 18 volts.  The large accessory transformer, upper left, is 12 volts.

  

There are two fuse systems.  Each track circuit is fused separately @ 7.5 amps.  The accessory fuse system doesn't exceed 3 amps, many are only 1 amp. 

Large accessory transformer, upper left, and Track circuit fuses, upper middle this picture.

 

Accessory fuses, both 18 volt and 12 volt.  Upper right.

Top fuses are 18 volt for accessories.   Most of these 18 volt fuses are for Atlas switch motors. From the blue crimp spade connector down is 12 volt accessory power.

 

The solid copper wire is a buss that extends accessory power, fuse to fuse. 

 

This 37 1/2" X 72" Fort Pitt animation module had quite an assortment of voltages for accessories, including 110 volts.

Note the (5) wall-wart power modules.  Each a different accessory power supply, none quite the same. Some are DC. There is other accessory power in addition to the wall warts pictured.  The backhoe and tow-truck animations are 110 volts, requiring relays and reduced voltage for push button operation. 

 

 

 

I have different colored wires too running around under the layout and just drop a wire through  a hole in the table to the appropriate wire.  I also have different voltage transformers hooked up to the appropriate wires.

 

Dennis

Miller Signs require 4.5 volts DC,everything else has been covered.

Mikey

For DC voltages, these can be set for the correct voltage.  Use these instead of making DC circuits to run off your AC transformers.

 

SELECTABLE MULTI-OUTPUT POWER SUPPLY, 1 AMP

SELECTABLE MULTI-OUTPUT POWER SUPPLY, 2.5 AMP

The pdf attachment below is an example of the different power and voltages on a very large layout.  Index cards with info are posted near terminal strips around layout.  The colors refer to wire colors and circuit colors on wiring diagrams.

 

 

I like to use the AC to DC buck converters found on feebay to convert voltages locally so I only have to wire a single voltage supply to components