Help Planning TMCC Power Needs

Here's a neat little tutorial on wiring for TMCC on the coilCouplers website that may help you out a bit;

http://www.coilcouplers.com/tmc/wiring.html

(You'll need to click on the "click here to continue" line to get further into the demo...)

Big help! So that explains my first question mark, it is great that the signal only demands one base. I'm used to Marklin where you need a digital booster for each power block...

I'm guessing from there that the two ZW's can handle this no problem, say one per loop at full output? 

I'm pretty sure that 2 ZW's can handle that set up and then some.....

Thanks! Appreciate it- hard to plan with the trains packed and no space to experiment!

Also, anyone know how to isolate a 10" piece of fastrack on the center rail so I don't have to buy a bunch of 12060's for block installation? I did a forum search but didn't see any threads.

Almost sorted!

Hi all,

Trains are running! (sort of) I wound up with 1 main line (long story) so here is the current layout including power draw:

1 x 10 x 20 foot loop- only 1 train running at a time

4 sidings - 3 holding lit MTH 5 car passenger sets

5 fastrack switches

1 hellgate bridge repro with lights

So my question: Its currently on one block, with 2 feeder tracks. As I connect the second feeder, what is the best way to do so?

- ground to normal "U" on the ZW, and Hot to another level/channel of the ZW for more power? Or to do this properly do I need a TPC? I'm a bit confused

OR

- send ground and hot to the same ZW/command base terminals as the first feeder?

Maybe it doesn't matter? Just curious as I seem light on power, but have only tested with one feeder thus far.

Apprecaite the advice! 

Does your train slow down at the far end of the layout, the point farthest away from the feeder? If so, you can add a feeder to the other side of the layout (being careful to make sure u terminal is always connected to the outside rails.)

Is there anyway you could post a diagram of the track plan? That would be the easiest way to assess what your trying to do here.

BTW, it's always best to power lights, accessories, and switches with a separate power supply than your track power. Like the "B-U" terminals of your ZW, If you're not doing that already.

I would also consider circuit protection if you are going to use a ZW, with a minimum of a fast acting fuse in the hot (A) line.  Here is a diagram that I used for my TMCC only test track.  The loop can be as large as needed with power drops spaced evenly to ensure no slow downs.  10' spacing should be good.

Thanks all! So a few answers and notes:

For sure its a feeder problem, followed by a potential overall power issue. I'm adding in another feeder or two this evening. 

For the ZW, the big question I guess is overall amperage delivery. In other words, will the track get the same power whether I wire all feeders to the "A-U" terminals, or will I get more if I set up blocks and run "A-U" and "D-U" (or any of the other 3 terminals)

Or simply put- if a bus line to the A-U doesn't cut it, do I need a second transformer, or just different wiring setup?

Track and current feeder wire diagram attached for reference

Your ZW is limited to the total amps it outputs.  No benefit to dividing a single ZW into multiple power districts other than each district can have a different voltage.