DCS signal issues in the yard

Nick,

Issues arise if we have legacy engines parked in the yard.  Seems like the DCS signal strength degrades

This is a fairly well-known issue. Some, but not all, TMCC and Legacy engines can degrade the DCS signal of PS2 or PS3 engines with which they are in close proximity;

From the DCS Companion 3rd Edition, page 157 and also on page 172 of The DCS WiFi Companion::

Some, but not all, TMCC or Legacy engines will degrade the DCS signal of any DCS engine with which they are in close proximity. This effect varies both by individual TMCC engine and by the distance between the TMCC or Legacy, and, DCS engines. In many cases, an RF choke inserted in the Hot wire between the pickup rollers and the TMCC or Legacy 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 about DCS is all in MTH’s “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 MTH's web store!

This and a whole lot more about DCS WiFi is all in MTH’s “The DCS WiFi Companion 1st Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store! Get the free TMCC & Legacy Addendum here!

River City 3 Railers has a 21' yard; comprising 4 modules. We have two TIU channels w/ 4 tracks per channel. Tracks are laid to the edges of the modules. Our tracks are not physically connected module to module. DCS in our yard is basically a nightmare. I am awaiting the capacitors to make the "Susan Deets" filters. Right or wrong, the plan is to install two per module.

It is encouraging to know that it is not the modules, track, or wiring that is causing this issue. Also nice to learn that this is not an isolated incident. Lord knows what is sitting in our yard at any given time.

Barry,

      Thank you for the explanation.  Because this is a club layout,  unfortunately, we can’t expect every member who owns a legacy engine to install RF chokes on the engines that create issues.  On a home layout, it makes perfect sense to do that.

     We may try installing goggles on every siding in the yard so that we can isolate engines from the system when they are parked.  Hopefully this may help.

Never had those problems in our yards, I don't  think.  TMCC and DCS locomotives roam and park all over it, and don't seem to impact each other that we can tell.  Also, our TIUs and TMCC brick are buried under the yard and don't have interference problems.  Controllers dont have but one blind spot, at the far corner of the layout.  Moving 3-4" in one direction or the other resolves it when it happens. Weird.

Here's my experience from years ago . Main track divided into about 5 block by insulated center  pins.

If a engine is parked in one block and a tmcc engine in another block there no signal  interference.....

Bring the TMCC engine into the same block and the dcs signal starts to drop and really drops the closer the tmcc engine  gets  to the proto-2,,,,, back it out of the same block and the dcs signal returns.

The fix at the time was a choke Jim Weaver from Atlas "O"  sent me that was used with their locomatic control system... It was big and had to be installed on the ground side of the circuit board....I could now bring the offending engine into the block with any  dcs signal drop. A pain in the butt to install.

I'm guessing if you can keep the offending TMCC engines separated from a proto-2  by a insulating center rail pin  the signal should be good.... Maybe have a TMCC track for parking engines or the use of toggles in the yard.