Re: Discussion item

["Steve Wise" <swise@aoot.com>]

> Scott,
>
> Is it safe to connect two transformers in parallel to double the available
current?
>
> I seem to remember that putting two voltage sources in parallel can cause
problems if
> they are not EXACTLY matched.  If one voltage source supplies more voltage
than the
> other one, power can flow from the higher voltage source to the lower
voltage source instead
> of to the load.
>
> I am not sure about this one.  Does Lionel recommend connecting their
transformers
> together to increase the power output?  Or, is there a power engineer in
the group that
> knows for sure whether or not this is feasible?

The TPCs handles this.  In fact, IC Controls makes a cable for hooking up 2
Lionel PowerHouses.

>
> FYI:  The MTH DCS manual recommends drawing a maximum of 12 amps through
the TIU.
> This would be 216 watts.  Currently, track 2 is controlled by the MTH TIU.

Based on all the reading I've done on the OGR forums, I'd only push 10 amps
through the TIU.
So if we provide >10 amps to the TIU input, we should add a 10amp thermal
circuit breaker (available at Frys).