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We are in the process of constructing an HO Layout that will run MTH engines using MTH's DCS system. My local dealer has always told me to do I spider web style with multiple feeders for power. Being DCS all tracks and sidings will always have power, layout will not be broken up into blocks.

I'm sorry to say my dealer has since passed on last year, so I'm looking for advise. Do I create a spider style feeder under the layout with all equal length wires connected to a central point and then connect that to the TIU? Layout ids L shaped 14 feet by 14 feet. with 2 mainlines of equal loops. along with crossover points.

Also is it okay to run both loops of same TIU channel ? or should i set on channel per loop?

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I'd suggest installing a multi-port terminal block such as the one pictured below and run your TIU output wires to the red and black posts at the bottom. You can then run your track power feeds from the ports on the terminal block to how ever many connections to the track are necessary or desired.

The terminal block should be mounted so that it's centrally located in your layout so that the power wires to the track spread out in a "star" like pattern, but it is not mandatory that all wires be of equal length.

It is ok to run both loops on one channel as long as you run enough power feeds, but it may be advantageous to split the loops between two TIU channels depending on what engines you are planning on running  and whether you want to keep the loops electrically separated, again depending on what your ultimate goal is.

If you decide to run the loops on separate TIU channels, just get another terminal block and run the second channel to that block and then power wires out to the other loop.

MTH 12 PORT

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  • MTH 12 PORT
Last edited by Richie C.

The DCS signal is centered around a 3.27mhz signal, so an RF transmission line is ideal to minimize external signal corruption.  The twisted pair works well, obviously it's hard to twist the tracks to continue that beneficial transmission line effect!

I'm running all my power districts (blocks) to one large set of terminals, that way I can mix and match to obtain optimum results if I have any signal issues.

Could someone comment on the use of shielded cable?  Would it be a benefit?

I would think twisted pair shielded cable might be a easier (and may even be cheaper) to obtain.  Shielded twisted pair speaker wire comes to mind.

In the process control world, we would use shield twisted pair for both mAmp and digital signals. In those cases, we were sometimes running hundreds of cables near or next to each other.

I think shielding may not be such a hot idea.  If you start capacitively coupling the signal to a ground shield, you may well attenuate the signal, the very opposite effect you're trying to achieve.  The twisted pair really simply minimizes the introduction of external EMI to the signal since any magnetic field cuts both conductors and is cancelled out, the whole purpose of twisted pair.

I think process control with all the EMI in that environment simply adjusts the drive of the signals to compensate for any losses from the shielding.  Also, the frequencies involved in the control signals may not be as sensitive to coupling to ground, lower frequencies will have less attenuation for a given capacitance to ground.

I use the MTH terminal block. It is designed for simple installation, as the hot and ground connections from the TIU are already separated and connected to the terminal block, so that one side of the output connections is hot, and the other side is ground. With a normal terminal block, you need to add jumper wires between the output connectors.

I also found I had significant signal strength issues if I used more than 9 track drops (connections to the track) from one terminal block. Each terminal block is connected to a separate TIU channel, so with 4 channels, I have about 36 track connections around my layout, which is 11x22 ft, twice around the room main line with two 8 ft long yards off the main line.

@yardtrain posted:

Amazon has it for $28

Screw Mount 10 Position Power Distribution Fuse Module Board, for 5 to 32V
by Xiken
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L...oding=UTF8&psc=1

I did see it someplace else for about $5 less but long lead time

One problem I see.  Those bozos used straight slot screws, I'm sticking to Phillips screws from now on, much easier to deal with, especially if you're in an awkward position already working on them.

I am SLOWLY wiring my 16x17 layout (3-rail running DCS and TMCC thru 3 TIUs in super mode with 12 isolated blocks--no Legacy or conventional). My power sources are all 180W Lionel bricks. They have circuit breakers. I think those would pop before the fuse blew. So for my layout, I don't see the point of fusing the terminal blocks. I am just using old barrier strips from my junk box. No problems found so far (knock on wood and all other applicable superstitions).

Don

as MTH is no more in a couple of months time and your layout is HO why not go with a DCC system NCE or Digitrax. the MTH locos will run on it just fine and that and it will allow you to run any of the HO manufacturers locos as well. signal problems are not a problem with DCC and there is so much more available for DCC.

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