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I have several Z Stuff 1050 signals wired in series with one end running via an isolated track rail. All switches are wired through the AIU with power being supplied to the switches via there own 18 V AC transformer. All the switches work fine but the signals are not working off the isolated rail correctly. When I ask Z Stuff about it they told me to make sure the transformer for switches and the transformer for the track where in phase. HERE LIES THE PROBLEM! I know which terminal on my Z4000 is hot and which is common but on the other transformer I have no idea. It is easy enough to discover as all you have to do is put a volt meter between the two. MY question is WHICH WIRE - should go through the AIU and which one should go through to the Atlas switch motor center terminal. AM I seeing this correctly in Barry's book? On page 78 figure 27 shows the red going to the switch motor directly which is HOT and the  Common going through the AIU. Is this CORRECT? I would have thought the hot would go through the AIU.

Curtis

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Curtis,

On page 78 figure 27 shows the red going to the switch motor directly which is HOT and the  Common going through the AIU. Is this CORRECT?

I assure you that that is absolutely correct. I have 100 or so DZ!000 motors, all set up for auto-nonderailing operation and many with signals attached, wired just that way.

All the switches work fine but the signals are not working off the isolated rail correctly.

Are you talking about signals or the LED colors on the DZ1000 motors? For signals, you can't use an insulated rail. Rather, you need a relay, such as the DZ1008, to switch them red/green along with DZ1000 orientation.


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Thanks Barry

I am talking about the DZ-1050 3 color track side signal. These have an optical sensor but can also be daisy trained to read off the one after it and the one before it. So the signal would be yellow in the that block and red in the next block with a green in the preceding block, providing that the train is in the block after it.

Curtis

Greg

That is what Atlas says but that IS NOT what is shown on page 78, Figure 27 in Barry's Book. Hence all my confusion. Atlas shows the hot going to the AIU and Common (Ground or U) to the center of the switch motor. Barry's book  is the exact opposite. Hot is going to the switch motor ( atlas 21st century switch machine ) and common ( ground or U ) is going to the IN on the AIU.

Bottom line I guess the question is does it matter if the AIU switches the HOT or the Common and what effect does it have when you are phasing the switch transformer to the track transformer if track side signals are using an isolated rail powered from a track transformer NOT the switch transformer?

NOW you can see my frustration. All due to the fact I have to phase the two transformers. Guess I should Phase them and see what if anything burns up. Just kinda expensive if something does go kapooy.

Curtis

Curtis,

that IS NOT what is shown on page 78, Figure 27 in Barry's Book

That's because Atlas switch motors, unlike the DZ1000s and most other switch tracks, do not use the inside, outer rails of the switch track's "V" for automatic non-deraiing operation.

Atlas motors are not well-designed to directly support automatic non-derailing operation because, once activated, they operate continuously as long as they receive power, unlike the DZ1000, and most other motors, that turn off when the switch has been thrown.

Atlas uses a separate board to implement automatic -non-derailing operation and most likely wire their motors reversed from other manufacturers in order to do so. However, if one were to operate an Atlas switch track independently as a standalone device without connection for automatic non-derailing or signaling, it could, in fact, be wired as described in my book.

Regardless, in your case I suggest that you use the diagram that Greg has provided for exactly what you desire to accomplish.

Barry

As Usual I am amazed at how much you know. THAT is why I purchased your books and always post hoping you will respond. Yes I did wire as per Greg's diagram. Thank You. My confusion was I assumed (wrongly) that all switch motors were the same. Since all my atlas switches have their switch motors with NO relays ( all wired directly to AIU with separate power transformer ) and there was no mention in the diagram of it being a DZ1000 switch motor, you can see my confusion on how easy it is to misread your diagram. Sorry.

Now I have another question for you. I have several Atlas uncouplers installed. They only have one wire coming out of them that goes to a hot terminal and you install a push button in line to the transformer for operation. I am wanting to use the AIU for the push button. It would remain powered until I release the button. Can this be done? If so which terminal would it connect to IN 1 or 2. AND would I need to run a hot to another terminal as my understanding is the AIU is simply a relay that is either Normally open or normally closed ( not sure which is which though ).

Thank you AGAIN as usual you have bailed me out along with Greg.

Curtis

Curtis,

I have several Atlas uncouplers installed. They only have one wire coming out of them that goes to a hot terminal and you install a push button in line to the transformer for operation. I am wanting to use the AIU for the push button.  It would remain powered until I release the button. Can this be done?

Yes, it can.

If so which terminal would it connect to IN 1 or 2. AND would I need to run a hot to another terminal as my understanding is the AIU is simply a relay that is either Normally open or normally closed

Connect the wire to AIU ACC port terminal "IN". Connect terminal "1" to Hot.

not sure which is which though.

Terminal "1" is NO (normally open) and terminal 2 is NC (normally closed).

 

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