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Hi guys !

I have a two 180-Watt PowerHouse Power Supply to my layout and I link in paralel with two TMCC Lock my system only legacy, but my friend has DCS system he created link in blocks. Need I link in blocks with legacy?

I need creat blocks or my link it's ok ! or all wrong !?

Thanks!IMG_20200404_132003526

 

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I don't think you want to have two Powerhouses in parallel (or series for that matter) unless they are interfaced by a device designed to do that (such as the now out of production TPCs).  You can certainly have each Powerhouse powering a separate loop or stretch of track.  I'm not sure what your friend is doing, but hopefully it's not running two Powerhouses through a single TIU channel.  That would not be good in terms of the TIU's continued survival.  If I've misunderstood your question, I apologize.

You generally don't need to create isolated blocks with Legacy. In can be important for DCS because DCS signals go through the center rail, and multiple feeders to the same block can lead to repeated commands or packets interfering with each other.

As everyone else has said, don't parallel bricks without a special device like the TPC or Legacy Powermaster.

I don't  run that much power  on my layout at any time .I have each block or track in my case on only one 180 watt brick. Its more than enough. Maybe if youre running pulmore motors it not ok but with DC motors its plenty. . With more power youre gonna need better breakers. Im running 500 feet of track on one brick. Works fine .

The 20 amp capacity of paralleled 180 Pohos linked to a TPC 400 and  feeding the same power district puts you into wheel-to-track welding territory. I paralleled for awhile when running two very long incandescent lighted passenger consists in the same district on a now demolished 3 district operation. Not recommended.

100_1090-002

 

 

 

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Last edited by Dewey Trogdon

Oh , no !! 
I did my connection all wrong ! I'm use two 180 power in parallel with two tmcc lock !!!
I have a question!
Will be need I use two 180 power in my layout because I think to run locomotive 3 or 4 max and all Legacy ? Or Should I bought 6-82883?

Thanks,
Landsteiner, MartyE, Professor Chaos, Farmerjohn and Dewey Trogdon for help me !

Leandro,

Just use one PH180 for now.  That should provide you with enough power for the number of engines you want to run.

If you are running two loops, then you can put one PH180 to each loop.  REMEMBER to isolate the center rail(s) between the two loops with a plastic track pin or gap.  You do not want the two PH180s connected via the center rail.  Outside rails (ground) is okay.

You only need one Cab2.

Without DCS, you can run the much easier bus wiring.  In the diagram below the PH180 plug is cut off and wired to the track.  You can use the TMCC lockon instead.  A fast acting fuse is added, but some say it is not needed because the electronic circuit breaker in the PH180 is fast enough.  I would use one.  I also highly recommend you add the TVS to protect the engine electronics.  There are many posts here on the forum discussing the benefits of a TVS.

Legacy-PH180-Track_w_TVSs

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Last edited by CAPPilot

I personally never let more than 10 amps of power on the rails, when you get to 20 amps and up, a derailment can do a lot more damage.  Also, paralleled transformer circuit breakers don't always function like they should.   I know this to be true of the PH180.  When it's alone, it's a great circuit breaker.  However, in parallel, I've seen them do odd things, and a couple times they didn't trip when it was obvious there was a massive overload on the rails.  That's also why I steer clear of parallel transformers.

@farmerjohn posted:

I don't  run that much power  on my layout at any time .I have each block or track in my case on only one 180 watt brick. Its more than enough. Maybe if youre running pulmore motors it not ok but with DC motors its plenty. . With more power youre gonna need better breakers. Im running 500 feet of track on one brick. Works fine .

Farmerjohn,

I went to see the my project in RR-Track and I have 205 feet only ! So I will take out one 180 power brick !

Thanks you all Guys !

Yes. Really only one brick is enough for nearly  any application if youre running new engines with DC motors and passenger cas with led lites. If you need to just add another block to youre layout with another brick and this will be safer for the eltronics  in youre locomotives.. im not an electrical but I do know what works on my layout  and more power is not always the answer.

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