Does anyone one know definitively on the new Powerhouse 180 (6-85226) the polarity of the Molex connector? Specifically is the center pin for the hot/center rail or is the center pin for the neutral/outer rails? Thanks
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Well, for most uses, it doesn't matter. However, I believe that the "standard" is the outside is hot, the center one is common.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Well, for most uses, it doesn't matter.
What??????? Who are you and where is the real @gunrunnerjohn?
Common Ground Wiring is the defacto standard and command systems such as TMCC/Legacy (and all their components) definitely care about the "polarity" of the wiring - ie. the outside rails are "ground" and the center rail "hot". By extension, knowing the polarity of the power bricks connection is essential...
I guess it would only be unessential if you use complete stock units all the way through and rely on Lionel to get everything right (Hint - they didn't - there were some bricks that have wrong phasing necessitating use of 6SP2983010)
I tend to agree that the polarity of the PH180 doesn't matter, if the new one is the same as the old PH180 with only two conductors. Having several transformers on my layout, I just wired it so that it was in phase with the others.
RJR posted:I tend to agree that the polarity of the PH180 doesn't matter .... I just wired it so that it was in phase with the others.
You are contradicting yourself - by phasing them, you, in lexicon, "determined their polarity".
NoviceBen posted:Does anyone one know definitively on the new Powerhouse 180 (6-85226) the polarity of the Molex connector? Specifically is the center pin for the hot/center rail or is the center pin for the neutral/outer rails? Thanks
The smooth wire to the molex is hot. The ribbed or painted wire is common. Slide a finger on it.
You should find the smooth wire in the center or below the empty triangle end.
Hot for the center rail.
bmoran4 posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:Well, for most uses, it doesn't matter.
What??????? Who are you and where is the real @gunrunnerjohn?
Common Ground Wiring is the defacto standard and command systems such as TMCC/Legacy (and all their components) definitely care about the "polarity" of the wiring - ie. the outside rails are "ground" and the center rail "hot". By extension, knowing the polarity of the power bricks connection is essential...
I guess it would only be unessential if you use complete stock units all the way through and rely on Lionel to get everything right (Hint - they didn't - there were some bricks that have wrong phasing necessitating use of 6SP2983010)
If all of the transformers are wired the same, or you only have one transformer, which lead you use for common doesn't matter. The real GRJ is still here. 
Obviously, if you have multiple transformers, they must be phased.
