So I've been working on wiring my Dad's layout for DCS operation. It is my first time wiring any layout so I knew going in that I would likely have some issues. I think I've solved most of the minor problems with the exception of one. I could use some help if anyone has any ideas.
So a little background first. The layout is 8'x16' with 2 main loops, a small inner loop with reversing crossovers, and a few track spurs. I wired the layout using 2 TIU channels. Each TIU channel input is connected to a track output on an MTH Z4000 transformer. The TIU channel outputs are connected to two terminal blocks (1 block per TIU channel). I then have wired the terminal block connections to various points on the layout. There are 10 paired wires connected to each terminal block. The pairs are then soldered to the fasttrack used on the layout, as shown below. I realize my soldering is not the prettiest, but it seemed to do the job.
The fasttrack loops are divided into sections with one feed wire and one paired ground wire per section (all sections are less than 10 track segments long as recommended by Barry in his DCS WiFi book). I created the sections using a dremel tool to cut a small gap into the center rail as shown in the picture below.
I alternated which terminal block each section is connected to, so that a single loop is connected to both TIU channels. Roughly 2 segments to one block, then the next two segments to the other block. If I am not mistaken this is how it is shown in one of the diagrams in Barry's book.
I powered the TIU using the 14V output of the Z4000 routed to the auxiliary power input on the TIU using banana plugs and a barrel plug going into the TIU.
So now to the issue. On the one hand the engine I was running using the DCS WiFi app ran perfectly around the loops without any noticeable issues (which made me pretty happy). But I noticed that when powering up the transformer, as I apply power to the Track 1 side of the transformer, the Track 2 side of the transformer is also showing voltage. At 20V on the Track 1 side it shows 20V and roughly 1.4 amps, but the Track 2 side shows 20 V at 0.3 amps, without the Track 2 side being turned on. I double checked and all of the sections are isolated from one another on the center rail based on the gaps, so I can't figure out why there is an issue on the transformer. Any thoughts on what is causing this? Or is this even an issue?
Note I have not isolated the outside rails (ground wire feeds). And I did not remove the jumper from the back of the fasttrack (shown below). But I can't figure how this would cause an issue.
Does anyone have any ideas on what the issue might be, or how I might go about testing to find the issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated, as electrical stuff is most certainly not my forte.
Thanks all.
