Set up of DCS - Help! I'm new.

 I would not use the CW80 to power MTH trains in command (if you even have one?). I would use your Z1000 brick to do that. The CW80 is known to mess up or confuse the command boards. If you connect the Z1000 brick to input #1 fixed, that will power the TIU and the track.

 Then use your CW80 to power the loop with conventional trains on it. There is more like the TIU can use the variable channels to vary the voltage to control other trains. I would just keep it simple for now and get things running. If you don't have another transformer, you can jump the inputs of the TIU from the fixed #1, to the others like the variable channels.

 One flaw to the Fasttrack or others like it, is the joints can loosen over time and use and may have trouble transferring the power and DCS signal all the way around your layout. You won't know until you try it so just get things started and go from there.

You're doing fine.   The  "leader wires" you mention are wire taps you will add if you have a power drop on a particular section of track when a train is in that section.   The CW80 transformer can be connected directly to your inner loop to begin with.  When you decide to run the inner loop through your TIU, try the Variable voltage tap powered by the CW80 and see how it works.  As you build, connect one power circuit to the track or accessory circuit and test as you go.  All transformers on one layout should be Phased.  When you control everything through the TIU all transformers Must be phased.

You will need terminal blocks for Circuit Protection installation.  The fuses/breakers in your transformers protect the transformers NOT the trains and accessories.  See Basic Wiring for examples.   My toy train wiring experience started with postwar Lionel and progressed from there.

The only TROUBLE you may be in is that you really get hooked and wind up with this when you retire.  See the Self Guided Photo Tour of how my toy train world got out of control.

I "believe" it will be easier for now to run the DCS/PS2 on one track and the other track will be all my other stuff: both Lionel and MTH trains before PS2 etc (which I believe you all are calling conventional).

It's easier, however, you can definitely run both sets of trains on the same track, at the same time. Regardless, your approach is a good way to start.

I saw somewhere on YOUTUBE someone connecting their CW80 transformer to their dedicated conventional track on the TIU.

You can use your CW80 to operate your conventional trains. However, it's not recommend to use it to operate DCS engines.

I can not run those conventional trains on the DCS track, correct?

You actually can, however, hold off on doing so for now.

I "think" the Z1000 going into the fixed input on the TIU can power the TIU and the AIU connected to it.  Is that true?

That's correct.

I saw something about "leader wires".  Will my outer loop (a little less than 40 feet) not need any extra power at the other side?

You should break the DCS loop into at least two (preferably 3 or 4) approx. equal-sized blocks that insulate the center rail between blocks. Then, connect an output from the TIU's Fixed channel #1 to the approx. center of each of the blocks.

Also, I saw on my DCS box a picture of a MTH terminal block...I "believe" I do not need this for what I am doing.

While you don't "need"a terminal block, it will facilitate connecting the output of Fixed Channel #1 to the multiple track blocks described in my last response above.

I have been reading posts, but a lot of people seem to disagree and when that happens, it gets more confusing. When people start talking about bus wires, blocks, lock-ons etc., I tend to get a little lost. Again....I'm very new at this. Sorry.

A big help for you would be to purchase a copy of The DCS WiFi Companion 1st Edition. It will, I believe, be the single most important purchase that you can make to maximize your DCS experience.

Everything that you need to know about DCS WiFi is all in MTH’s “The DCS WiFi Companion 1st Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

.... and there we go!

Now you have some great advice. I was wondering where everybody was at??? 

I'll bow out here. Listen to what's posted and ask away!

 and you should buy the DCS companion books for future reference. It will help immensely, with this stuff from now on!

MomHasTrains posted:

New to DCS and more importantly, new to trains in general. I need to set everything up. Please tell me what I am understanding correctly and what I am wrong about.

I am using Fastrack (why? because that's what I have right now). I have a TIU, AIU, Z1000, new MTH Wifi unit. The layout is in a 10X10 space. I am going to run two separate tracks, just loop patterns, with no switches etc. on both, just to keep it simple for now. I want to run about 3 accessories (such as a car wash).  I "believe" it will be easier for now to run the DCS/PS2 on one track and the other track will be all my other stuff: both Lionel and MTH trains before PS2 etc (which I believe you all are calling conventional). I saw somewhere on YOUTUBE someone connecting their CW80 transformer to their dedicated conventional track on the TIU. So, before I get into that...I can not run those conventional trains on the DCS track, correct? I should also mention, that I don't need to run two trains on the same track at the same time right now. I "think" the Z1000 going into the fixed input on the TIU can power the TIU and the AIU connected to it.  Is that true? I saw something about "leader wires".  Will my outer loop (a little less than 40 feet) not need any extra power at the other side? Also, I saw on my DCS box a picture of a MTH terminal block...I "believe" I do not need this for what I am doing. I have been reading posts, but a lot of people seem to disagree and when that happens, it gets more confusing. When people start talking about bus wires, blocks, lock-ons etc., I tend to get a little lost. Again....I'm very new at this. Sorry.

I just got all the wires and connections I need to download the latest upgrade to my TIU. Now I just need a PC. I have all the instructions for that and I should be good there.

I agreed to a train tour next week! Nothing like a "yes" to a train layout tour to really kick me into high gear! Essentially, I need to have two loops: my PS2 on one track, a conventional Lionel on the second track, run three accessories, and be able to run those on the MTH APP. I can get more complicated later after the tour and I continue to learn more. If I have everything wrong above, I am in TROUBLE! 

The best advice I could give after 15 years of chasing this is "whenever possible, keep it simple."

Well ... I guess it did grow like Topsy ... ;-)

BUT keeping it simple did end up with it all working as it should.

There are many disagreements as to what works best because all layouts are different.  Yes, there are basic rules and protocols, BUT results may differ layout-to-layout.  Many times what works on mine doesn't work on my friend's layout the same way, and the inverse is true as well.   Lots of good advice offered here, but don't take it all as gospel for YOUR layout.

As a simple setup using what you already have, the advise from Joe, Susan and Barry is right on.  And I concur with the comments on the CW-80; don't use it with DCS!  I use mine for accessories.

For your next step, here is something to think about.  Last Christmas I helped a friend and her husband set up a 2-loop layout around their tree.  She wanted two completely separate loops that could control DCS, TMCC, and conventional engines on either loop.  The below diagram is what we used.  You can ignore the TMCC connection since you are not using TMCC/Legacy.

She acquired two Z-1000 transformers, one for each loop, and a Z-500 from an auction site.  The Z-500 is used to provide constant power to the TIU, but powering the TIU through Fixed In 1 will work just fine.  The Z-1000 connected to the fixed inputs allowed her to run conventional using the Z-1000's throttles, which she preferred over using the DCS handheld to run conventional.  She would set the throttles to around 14 volts when running command to keep engine speed down when their grandkids visited.

If you want to use the DCS handheld to run conventional, then the Z-1000s need to be connected to the Variable Inputs.  If you do that, then you will need a separate power supply like the Z-500 or run jumpers from Variable 1 to Fixed 1.

We used MTH Terminal Blocks, but any terminal block would work.  I also have a lot of extra TVS diodes so we added one to each track connection (one per block).  While the TIU has built in TVS protection on each channel, I add the extra TVSs for extra protection should the TIU TVS fail.

If you really get involved in this hobby, instead of buying a second Z-1000, buy a Z-4000.  It has two throttles, each with more power that a single Z-1000.  You can now use the Z-1000 brick to power the TIU.  Problem is the Z-4000 is quite a bit more expensive.

My club has a modular O-3 Rail layout that is set up in multiple sizes depending on the size of the venue (at present, up to about about 20' x40'), and which members can participate at any given time. The configuration is basically two loops, which may or may not have crossovers between them, depending on module availability. I know the "book" suggests star pattern wiring over a main bus wire, but that would require several different runs, which would need to be specially strung each time the layout is set up, and this would increase the set up time and need for different main power wires at every setup, also resulting in many more loose wires in the operator's pit (causing a tripping hazard) as well. How critical is the use of a "star" pattern for wiring up modules, really?

Bill in FtL

Thank you all so much!  This has been very helpful.

i think what I need to do is leave my conventional loop separate for right now to get through the train tour.

Set up my DCS loop.  It probably needs blocked (as you call it).  I think this means in between block sections (blocked using special fastrack block sections),  I will need to wire to the terminal (which I need to get), then the terminal will wire to the TIU.  The AIU easily connects to TIU, then accessories wire to AIU. (Hopefully wiring accessories to AIU isn't too complicated)

I sincerely appreciate the info/help.

Just follow Barry's instructions. 

Bill Nielsen posted:

My club has a modular O-3 Rail layout that is set up in multiple sizes depending on the size of the venue (at present, up to about about 20' x40'), and which members can participate at any given time. The configuration is basically two loops, which may or may not have crossovers between them, depending on module availability. I know the "book" suggests star pattern wiring over a main bus wire, but that would require several different runs, which would need to be specially strung each time the layout is set up, and this would increase the set up time and need for different main power wires at every setup, also resulting in many more loose wires in the operator's pit (causing a tripping hazard) as well. How critical is the use of a "star" pattern for wiring up modules, really?

Bill in FtL

It's not critical, just optimal.  If you can't do it that way and you are not having issues, no worries.  We gap our modular setup roughly at the midway point and put the power feed at the approximate center.

Brendan