How many lighted MTH buildings can be tied to one AIU port?

Greg I was just getting ready to ask a similar question if it is OK with you, I would like to also ask if in fact the AIU can be used for what you (and I) are thinking about doing. In other words, is the AIU designed only for momentary electrical flow or can one actually turn on lights, etc. for extended periods of time?

Thanks,
Alan

The AIU can handle a 4 amp load/ACC port continuously.

No problem Alan and thanks Barry.

I do have one follow-up question:

How many amps does one of the buildings with the lighted, blinking signs draw (ie: Dewey, Cheatum, & Howe)?

Thank-you,

Greg

Greg,
If you need more amps than what Barry told you you can have the AIU control a relay which can handle more amps. You did not say if you were using leds or incadescant bulbs for your buildings. The leds will take less current and produce hardly any heat. I like the looks of an incadescant bulb myself but thats me. I use relays controlled from the AIU as an external relay can be replaced a lot easier than a AIU.

Bob K.~

I'm using the lights that came with the MTH buildings which are not leds, except for the blinking signs.

--Greg

I don't have the remote in front of me right now (or Barry's book), but I believe that the AIU accessory ports can be turned ON, OFF, and momentary ON.

Alex

All the MTH buildings are a bit different the way they are lighted. I would allow .5 amps per building or 9 watts at 18 volts. This is very conservative then 8 buildings. Reducing voltage reduces wattage used. If buildings were converted to LED lighting up to 100 buildings could be put on.

Dale H

Thanks everyone---I'll keep it to 4 per port.

--Greg

Thanks everyone. I am now beginning to design how all of the downtown buildings will be illuminated. I had decided I wasn't going to use any AIU units but during the past year I have picked up two of them. Now I am beginning to see how valuable these units can be!! I will be using them to turn lights on and off in the various buildings thanks to this discussion.

ChooChooBob...do you have a drawing showing how you use the AIU, relay, and power source per your post above?

Thanks,
Alan

Just use a 4 amp fuse or breaker to protect the relay in the AIU. It will let you know when you reach the maximum load. Then drop off a couple of buildings.

Joe...don't you mean "AIU" instead of "TIU"?

Alan

Alan,
Yes, I'll correct it. Thanks

If you convert the lighting in the MTH buildings to LED's the 4 amp output would allow you to run about 400 LED's.

We've posted several how to's on the electrical forum for making your own out of LED's from Christmas lights.The only buildings on my layout that don't have LED's are the ones from MTH and as soon as the bulbs burn out in them they'll have them too.The current draw(Amps.) per LED is zilch .They don't make any heat so they won't melt plastic and wired correctly they'll last anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 hours.

Most of the guys use a left over wall wart from some rechargeable device that no longer works .A wall wart is just one of those little transformers that plugs in the wall like your cell phone charger.
A 12 Volt 1000ma wall wart will power almost a hundred LED's


David

Just an addendum, if you wish to drive more than 4 amps on a channel,simply hook that channel to a relay coil and let the relay contacts do the switching for as many circuits and as much amperage as desired. Use of relays in similar applications is shown here.

http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/Bl...d=635&categoryId=426

Dale H

Sorry to barge into this thread with a related but somewhat different question (I searched and couldn't find the answer on this forum).

 

I have one Z1000 brick to use to power my accessories. I do not have an AIU. Can I run wires from the Z1000 to the 24 port MTH terminal block, then connect 24 lighted buildings to the terminal block (conventional incandescent bulbs / not LED)? Will the Z1000 be able to power all of the lighted buildings or will everything burst into flames?  What if I get a second Z1000 and connect BOTH of them to the MTH 24 port terminal block to double up the power?

 

If this is going to cause a fire because of over heated wires, please let me know now. I don't want to burn anything out (including my house!). 

 

If this plan will not work, what is the best option? I have a feeling getting a couple of AIUs will be the answer. 

 

Also, what is the best (safest) minimum wire gauge to use for lighted buildings? 

 

Thanks for the advice. 

 

Terrence

Coram, NY

Terrence,

What if I get a second Z1000 and connect BOTH of them to the MTH 24 port terminal block to double up the power?

Major bad idea!

Okay, thanks Barry. But can one Z1000 connected to one 24 port MTH terminal block power 24 different lighted incandescent buildings? Or should I get two AIUs (assuming they are available)? 

Terrence,

 

One Z1000 can power up to approx. 5 amps worth of anything.

The AIU doesn't provide power, so I'm confused about your apparent interchanging of the AIU with the Z1000.  Am I missing something in what you're trying to do?