Crossover wiring question

Here is a book I thought was pretty informative Wiring You Toy Train Layout by Peter Riddle. It is the one about 8.5"x11" or so like a sheet paper. They have a smaller sized one that I personally didn't think was all that good, different author too.

I would think isolating the center rails would be enough to isolate the 2 loops. Could you possibly have gotten a wire crossed somewhere while re-arranging things? 

A couple of quick checks, if when you cross over every thing stops.

(1.) With a volt meter check the voltage, center rail loop #1 to center rail loop #2, it should be close to Zero.  If the voltage is 30 something there is a problem. See #2 

(2.) Are the Z1000 plugged into the same outlet (Receptacle)??  Two separate receptacles on different house circuits can cause a problem.

(3.) The Z1000 cord ends should be polarized, one blade slightly larger than the other, and is designed to fit the wall outlet that way.  Older wall outlets may allow these polarized cord end to plug-in either way, that can make a difference.   There is a slim chance that one of the Z1000's wasn't wired properly.   

Double check your wiring on each brick....  from the brick to the tiu input channel. If the bricks are identical you shouldn't have any problems the way you wired it, You really don't need to insulate the outside rails just the center one to separate each loop.....

Wondering if the brick are out of phase....

Thanks for the responses guys.

Both bricks are connected to the TIU via MTH barrel jack cables. Red to red, black to black.

Both bricks are plugged into a power strip that goes to a newly installed polarized outlet.

I disconnected the transformer that was powering the outer loop. I then connected the outer loop to the inner loop with metal connectors at the switch and the trains crossed over with no issue. 

Maybe I do have a bad brick? That seems unlikely.

Maybe I do have a bad brick? That seems unlikely.

You wouldn't be the first one with bricks out of phase with each other..... . I'm just not sure how to go about fixing it other than reversing the plug at the wall outlet on one of the bricks.  Not easy with polarized plugs...

I can't tell you to file off the polarized plug.

Here's an easy  test with a volt meter the way you had it with 2 bricks but the outside rail must be common to each loop.no insulated pins on outside rails.

measure the voltage  from the center rail on one loop to the center rail of the other loop. center rail to center rail.. The voltage should be very low around 1 or 2 volts however if the voltage is around   30 or more the volts the bricks are out of phase.

Check your serial numbers:

I checked with a meter...the voltage from center rail to center rail on the switches is 38 volts. I guess one of the transformers is the culprit.

Yup, they're out of phase.

If everything is in phase you only need to isolate the center rail.

I am surprised that when using more than one transformer for track power that these transformers are not always checked for phase.

I suppose if you purchased  2 identical products you would assume they're identical They should be  but....

Originally Posted by Gregg:

I suppose if you purchased  2 identical products you would assume they're identical They should be  but....

The problem can occur even if the two transformers are identical.  On the primary side, (where the transformers plug-in), if you plug into two different phases, the outputs will also be different phases. i.e. Plug to the same outlet.  One standard household circuit should handle most model Railroad needs.  I had this problem at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show (Fort Pitt Hi-Railer's Modular Layout) a few years back.  Plugged to two different outlets on different phases.   Easy correction, plug all to the same outlet.

In this case, the transformers are wired different.  Sometime it can be corrected by simply reversing the way the 110 volt cord end is plugged in, difficult with a polarized plug, one prong is bigger than the other. I found some old three to two prong adaptors that allowed me to reverse wire a couple of PH 180's without voiding any warranties.
 
I have had difficulty getting MTH Z4000's to play nicely with Lionel PH 180 bricks. 

That is a good suggestion. I think I have a couple of those old adapters sitting around the house somewhere. I'll give it a shot when I get home.

I found an adapter and that did the trick. Thank you for the help. This forum is best resource!

 You're welcome

        Mike CT

I'd wager most people just getting into multi-transformer operation don't know to check for phase, and probably don't even know what it is...

I would've had no idea if I hadn't stumbled across that Lionel youtube video.

The nice thing is it's easy to identify by the ZOT! as the train rolls across the transition for the first time.

Plus, it's easy to correct.

I'm greatful for all the Youtube videos.  There's no way anyone years ago could have had access to all the information!