Funny you should ask, we have that very problem with our club layout.  What you're describing is likely an issue with the 900mhz signal from the remote to the TIU.  Some have added antenna to the TIU to enhance the signal, you might try that as a first step.

Replace the fluorescent with LED 4 Ft tubes.

Larry

Typically, fluorescent lighting does not cause issues. I use them to illuminate my lower level tracks without any ill effects.

However, any metal that the signal must pass through most certainly can adversely affect the DCS signal. When possible, it's best to elevate TIUs to be above the level of the layout with as little as possible between the TIU and the remote.

This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!

Try running with the wire tether between the Remote and the TIU. If performance is better than you know that the Remote wireless is being affected by the environment.

Keith,

This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Keith,

Try running with the wire tether between the Remote and the TIU. If performance is better than you know that the Remote wireless is being affected by the environment.

Not necessarily. If the transceiver board is loose in the TIU, remote or both, tethering the remote will correct that problem, as well.

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This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!

True, your answer is more complete.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Funny you should ask, we have that very problem with our club layout.  What you're describing is likely an issue with the 900mhz signal from the remote to the TIU.  Some have added antenna to the TIU to enhance the signal, you might try that as a first step.

So how do I go about this? I had the TIU opened up a while ago due to a loose post that was getting hot. I fixed that issue and did happen to notice a wire that looked like an antenna. Do you add to that wire or completely remove and resolder a new longer wire? Run the new on the outside or coil up inside the TIU?

So how do I go about this? I had the TIU opened up a while ago due to a loose post that was getting hot. I fixed that issue and did happen to notice a wire that looked like an antenna. Do you add to that wire or completely remove and resolder a new longer wire? Run the new on the outside or coil up inside the TIU?

In experiments that I conducted some time ago, I found that simply modifying the TIU by cutting a small hole in the TIU's lid and then poking the wire antenna through the hole, increased the TIU's range by 2-3 times.

This modification is discussed in detail on page 162 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition, as follows:

TIU Modification 

If everything appears to be in good operating condition and there are still sporadic problems with TIU to DCS Remote communications, it could be that the TIUs are physically placed differently than was suggested earlier (refer to Part III - DCS Implementation, TIU Channel Assignment and Placement earlier in this book). If this is the case, there's a relatively simple modification that can be made to the TIU that can increase its range for communicating with the DCS Remote. 

Note that this modification may void the MTH warranty for the TIU and should only be attempted by knowledgeable individuals or MTH authorized technicians. 

To perform the modification, proceed as follows: 

• Disassemble the TIU as described earlier in this section and locate the transceiver board. It is the small circuit board that's plugged into the left, front part of the main TIU board when viewing the TIU from the channel input side. 
• While gently but firmly holding down the transceiver board, raise the antenna (black wire attached to the transceiver board) so that it is standing straight up. Do not under any circumstances lift up on the transceiver board! 
• Locate where the wire would touch the top half of the TIU's case and drill a 9/16" hole in the top half of the case at that spot. 
• Replace the top half of the TIU's case with the antenna wire protruding through the hole. Ensure that the transceiver board does not lift up while replacing the case! 
• Reassemble the TIU as described earlier in this section. 

The range of TIU to DCS Remote communications should be improved.

This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!

Metal conduit can build up and hold a static charge when it loses its connection to ground. I went blind in one eye for a few minutes after a static spark jump about 2" off conduit, when my head came close to it, while working under a large band mill resaw. It felt like I was shot in the eye with a Red Rider BB gun. I had all the fused boxes shut off and locked out to the mill, and all the various motors that ran anything related to the mill, so no current was running through anything. We did find corrosion between the conduit and fittings by using an ohms meter. Just loosen the set screw on your fittings a wiggle the conduit and re-tighten, if you find you have issues. Boy was I happy when my eye's sight started coming back

I've heard various methods for adding to the antenna, from Barry's method to adding a fairly long wire.  I personally have tried creating a total length of 13" including the existing antenna wire, which I believe is a 1/4 wavelength of 900mhz.  That certainly helped.