Tom,
I was also using the 18v output of the Z1000 to provide aux power to the TIU - did I create some sort of a loop or conflict?
If you reversed the polarity for the Aux. power port vis-a-vis your track power from the Z4000, you generated a short circuit between the two outputs of the Z4000. I'd suggest using a different, separate, power supply for the Aux. Power port and see how many of your issues go away.
Barry,
Mystery solved! After replacing the 20A fuse in the TIU, I rechecked the phase of the Z4000 and the aux 14V output of the Z1000, and they were both in phase. I then tied their grounds, hooked up the Z4000 to the track and the Z1000 to the switches and let the Z4000 fixed 1 input power the TIU, and all was well and the nonderailing worked! I then tried it with the Z1000 18v plug to power the TIU, and the 20A fuse blew again. Evidently the 18v and 14v outputs in the Z1000 are out of phase! I replaced the fuse again, and tried it powering the TIU with a separate Z500 as you suggested, and all was well again.
Question: Would you power the TIU separately, or let the Fixed 1 input power it? I'm only using Fixed 1 at this point.
Looks like you can't count on even separate leads from the same transformer being in phase!!
Tom
