DCS & Accessory Power Question

The Fastrack uncoupling tracks draw quite a bit of power when activated, I'm not sure the 1.8A would do it if anything else was running.  I get 1.9A ar 14 volts on one.

It will handle it fine.  I use one on my layout for the Post war versions plus a few other accessories.  The adjustable voltage is good to have, and normally all the loads are not used at once anyway.  I do phase it to track transformers.  G

Those accessories will generate a lot of voltage spikes. Best to power them off a separate circuit and not share with accessories with PC chips or LEDs such as modern crossing flashers,block signals and gates.. If you do add a TVS to the circuit.

Dale H

Good point Dale, some of them do look ugly on a 'scope.

Okay so what do I do with the common coming out of the aux transformer?  Can I just connect it to the common for the DCS

 Can I just connect it to the common for the DCS

Yes, you should, after ensuring that the two transformers are in phase with each other.

We are in Phase, I checked to see the track connections were Black to Black (common) and Red to Red (Center Rail).  I get a check track, clean track message after it passes by the Uncoupling track on the yard line with the operating track.    I have not back it down to the operating track yet, but once I stop the train and try to change direction and move forward that is when it fails to respond.


Everything is on Fixed 1.  The loop is no more than 8x6, and I have feeders around the loop.  Always get great signal on the loop and never had an issue.

Thanks,

Ted

Holy Cow. I finally found the culprit.  The Lionel uncoupling fastrack is defective.  I'm not sure if it can be fixed, but only 3.8 vac was reading on the center rail on the meter.  I swapped it with another uncoupling track and viola it works. 19 vac, train is able to back in and out of the siding.

thanks, you kept me hunting.

Ted