DCS Signal Question

I'm no expert, and I don't play one on TV, but would venture a guess on a bad connection that you improved by switching outputs. Was it just swapping barrel plugs? Have you tried switching back? Very sorry to hear about closing the store. I stopped there twice on our trips to Florida and really enjoyed seeing the layout. Your wife waited on me and couldn't have been nicer.

Probably the best wiring.  The advent of DCS to the Fort Pitt Highrailer layout, we soldered each track joint.  Every loose connection, or even slightly loose track connection, while work-able, with basic train power, tends to be a bit of a problem with RF signal.  IMO, Mike CT.   You may want to open a spot in the purple.  Signal in two different directions can be a problem.  If it works don't mess with it.

John,

They are all soldered banana plugs.  They were just swapped on the output side of the TIU. 

I did the swap thinking that I might have a bad TIU channel. 

I will open it up and make sure the connections are tight next.  I usually do this when I upgrade the software anyways.

Mike,

The purple loop has 11 isolated blocks.  I didn't mention that because it got 10s on both channels.

We are disassembling the shop layout and I was thinking of all the hours you spent with the wiring!  FYI it is just going across town and will live a new life.

I don't often get the 30" long drill bit out of the truck, I remember the concrete floor and basement ceiling below. 

A field trip, western Pa, I like that idea, if the world returns to some type of normal. 

@David Minarik posted:

.... relocating my terminal blocks to more strategic locations.  The result has allowed me to remove almost 150' of wire.

• I swapped the TIU outputs of 2 and 3 and now the whole layout has a signal strength of 10.

Can anybody offer any insight?  Should I let sleeping dogs lie?

You know what you did. We have to guess on what you state here. So the first thing that pops out to me is the fact stated that more has changed than just a channel swap.

If you put the channels back do they stay at tens now?

Possible weaker channel output?

Could there be other things that changed? like the removal of equipment from power?

I think you're better at this than I am. I just am looking at it like a puzzle from here.

Joe.   It was a simple swap of 4 wires on the TIU output.  It would have also changed the power source

I'd have to guess at a weaker channel that liked the swap then? The stronger channel just handled it's new assignment.

Did you get that DCS signal tester kit from here on the forum?

Design of a $10-20 DCS-TIU Port Tester Tool? | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)