Answers follow:
@Chills posted:Steve, thanks so much for this wonderful thread. I read it through several times with a good sleep in between to make sure I understood your input. I have ordered the breakers from the sources you listed. I ordered 2 each of 10, 7.5 and 5 amp. Half are back ordered till later this spring, but at least I have a plan. I am just now getting back into trains. When I last ran trains (in the 1970’s) it was O gauge tubular 3 track Lionel’s from the 50s. While my brother now has that set, I have been buying various old stock and accessories from that era. I now have about 100 ft of track and most of the other stuff I need and purchased a refurbished Lionel ZW (R) 275 amp transformer.
Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad you found this thread to be helpful. If you would like to order the out of stock breakers, there are other distributors besides Online Compnoents. Domestically, Octopart.com is a good resource for showing which distributors sell various electronic components. Just type in the exact make and model number of the part you're trying to find.
I think you mean a 275 Watt ZW transformer.
@Chills posted:First, I have no clue what that diode is all about. What it does or how it works. Your helpful diagram shows the line coming out of the terminal (and thru the breaker), connecting to the middle track and coming back via the outer track to the common closing the circuit. But tangential to that and not in line with it the diode is just connected across the two lines. What does that do and how does that help. Additionally, there is another one just hanging out on the other side of the track. It is all perplexing… again, excuse my ignorance on the topic.
TVS diodes (link here) clamp high voltage spikes which is why they connect in parallel with the Hot and Common. The way they work is they become conductive only when the voltage across them exceeds their threshold. Derailments lead to rapidly changing voltage differences on the track circuit which causes electric coils (found around the layout in motors, transformers, solenoids, relays, and electromagnets) to force current to continue flowing as the voltage fluctuates rapidly due to the bouncing of train wheels, especially at switches. These voltage spikes are well above the component ratings on sensitive electronics found in newer command control locomotives and occur at a very high frequencies. The reasons for multiple TVS diodes around the layout is that even though the TVS diodes clamp the voltage to a safe level in one place, just inches away the high frequency voltage can be approaching a hundred volts. Unless, you're using MTH's DCS control, more distributed diodes are best (however if using DCS, the capacitance of multiple TVS diodes can degrade the DCS signal). My example showing only two was just to show how they connect. As far as where to connect them, the closer they are located to the sensitive electronics they're intended to protect, the better. I like to actually install them in more expensive locomotives right at the Control Circuit boards' power inputs from the track. Other good places are near transformers, any other coils and switches on the layout.
@Chills posted:Secondly, my layout as a kid was an outer and inner loop. One power connection near the transformer and of course loss of power on the other side (and now I know why). But when I added an additional small loop off the side (and put power on it), as the train crossed over into that area the train would immediately reverse direction. I went off to college soon there after and never “solved the issue”. Off to army and life so… here I am building a new one and need to ensure I can hook up my power at multiple points on multiple loops and sidings that I can turn on and off. I’m sure it was a simple fix but… a little help as I begin laying this out to wire would be great.
This sounds like it may have been a brief power interruption caused by a short unpowered or insulated section of track (maybe in the switch). These can be easily diagnosed with a multi-meter to find out where power is being interrupted.
@Chills posted:Final question (for now), I have a number of those Lionel connections and was intending to use them to connect my power by “clamping” them to the track. But I have seen a number of people talking about soldering wires for a more positive connection. Had never seen that done. I have both the skill and equipment to do so… is that how you all suggest I connect power? Thanks again. Wonderful thread!
Soldering is a great way to make secure track connections. Which method you choose is a matter of personal preference.
@Chills posted:Sorry, another question already… I won’t have the first of the airpax breakers in till next week so haven’t held them in my hand. How do you all connect them? Is it just a spade style connector?
The models of breakers provided in the original Topic Post at the beginning of this thread all have "spade" connectors. The female connector that attaches to them is a 0.25" Faston connector.
