With lighted passenger cars on the track, the DCS signal degrades from 9s and 10s down to 2s, 3s, and 4s. Taking the lighted cars out of the circuit, the DCS signal strength increases to 9s and 10s.
Several weeks ago someone mentioned installing RF chokes on the center rail pickup between the roller and the lighting circuit board. What value/type/spec of RF choke(s) are needed? And is an RF choke needed at each hot/center rail pickup point? Thank you.
From page 152 of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition:
Some, but not all, TMCC engines will degrade the DCS signal of any PS2 engine with which they are in close proximity. This effect varies both by individual TMCC engine and by the distance between the TMCC and PS2 engines. In many cases, an RF choke inserted in the Hot wire between the pickup rollers and the TMCC engine's circuit board will correct this problem.
Some lighted cabooses, most notably those manufactured by Atlas O, may degrade the DCS signal, as may some engines or passenger cars with constant voltage (CV) lighting boards. Again, an RF choke inserted in the Hot wire between the pickup rollers and the circuit board in these cars will generally correct this problem.
Although a number of different RF chokes may be effective in reducing interference from CV boards, one that has an electrical value of 22uh (micro henries) is known to work well.
This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!
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