30 years after my old childhood layout my wife made the mistake of saying we needed a train under the Christmas tree, and I haven't looked back since! The problem is I'm posted overseas with the State Department, so all the power in my house is 220 volts or so. Has anyone dealt with running DCS off a transformer that converts 220 volts down to good old American 110-120? Before I invest in a TIU and everything, are there any special concerns, or measures I'll need to take?
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You may not need the transformer. Many electronic appliances these days, especially computer-type stuff, will run anywhere in the world by simply swapping in the correct power cord.
Most power in the world will some combination of 110-120V or 220-240V, at 50 or 60Hz.
The DCS TIU (Track Interface Unit) gets power to operate from Track Power Fix1 Input. It does have an Aux input port that can be use, but can operate without it. So what ever correction you do to power, e.g. (A Z4000 transformer) that you are using for Track Power should operate the TIU. Check with MTH to be sure the 50hz is compatible with a DCS TIU. The resident expert on this forum is on vacation.
Australia, the UK and Europe all have no trouble with 220-240v 50hz. using DCS.
The TIU internal circuitry all runs on DC. It's rectified as soon as it come in the door for all the logic. 50hz is no problem.
American standard train transformers such as those by MTH probably should not be operated on 50Hz. A step-down 220 to 110-120 that doesn't alter wave form should be ok to power the train transformer, BUT that does not solve the 50Hz issue. I'd contact MTH or Lionel or MRC for the official answer. I note that MTH does make trains for the European market, so they must face this issue.
From the Z4000 User's Manual.
The Z-4000 was designed to operate on 120 volt, 50-60 Hertz power. Do not connect to any other source of power.
When all else fails....I wonder if use on 50Hz degrades the permissible wattage, given a difference in induced reverse EMF?????
Googling the subject I came across an interesting discussion on a competing forum, where it is indicated that Lionel ZWs and similar large transformers should not operate on 50Hz due to inability to handle the extra heat. One poster says 50Hz transformers have more iron in core to provide greater inducatance. Another says that the Lionel CW80 should not be operated on 50Hz.
The post has raised my curiosity. In the US, the standard is a 3-wire 240-volt line, with 120 obtained between outer legs and neutral. Does Europe just use 2-wire?
Well, I don't have 50HZ handy to test it, but I have tested to 10 amps on one channel of mine without issue.
It's not necessarily the secondary amperage, but the inductance and the inductance-induced heat directly in the core.
I understand the difference between 50hz and 60hz, just don't have any 50hz to test with. 
When all else fails....I wonder if use on 50Hz degrades the permissible wattage, given a difference in induced reverse EMF?????
Googling the subject I came across an interesting discussion on a competing forum, where it is indicated that Lionel ZWs and similar large transformers should not operate on 50Hz due to inability to handle the extra heat. One poster says 50Hz transformers have more iron in core to provide greater inducatance. Another says that the Lionel CW80 should not be operated on 50Hz.
The post has raised my curiosity. In the US, the standard is a 3-wire 240-volt line, with 120 obtained between outer legs and neutral. Does Europe just use 2-wire?
Although I don't use DCS at all, I have several Lionel devices running quite happily on 50Hz power. These include CW-80 transformers, TPU and Powermaster units, a Legacy system, etc. etc.
Voltage is reduced from 220-230V to 110-120V via a bank of toroidal transformers (Phased) but frequency is left at 50Hz as apart from one 'Trainsounds' locomotive that goes bananas on 50Hz I have encountered no problems at all.
Most electrical devices are clearly labelled as to their power requirements, so checking the casings is always a good first step.
Thanks everybody, very helpful information. I'll do a little investigating on this end and also see how much English the folks at the local hobby shop speak, and find out if MTH is used much around these parts.
Lefty, DCS works fine on 50Hz. In one of the settings in the DCS remote is a menu that allows you to select the power frequency. It gives you the option of 50Hz or 60Hz.
UK house 230V is 2 wire not 3 wire like the USA. So you need a step down transformer.
These are commonly available at builders yards or Machine Mart as UK construction site tools are 110V.
A pal of mine runs his Z4000 with a construction site transformer.
Nick
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