DCS Signal Strenght while using PSX-AC circuit protection

Good information and glad you got your PSX-AC problems resolved. I am also using the PSX-AC's, although no TPC-400's as you have, but I'm saving your info for future reference in case I ever want to change to a set up like yours. I am very impressed with the PSX-AC's so far. Thanks for reporting back on your findings. Gunrunnerjohn has helped me out a few times also (really glad he is so active and helpful here on the forum), so thanks to him as well.

I followed John's advice as well. Guess what? The "choke" fixed the problem! I too have it connected with alligator clips. How do you plan on making the connections permanent? I'm not sure what to do.

Great information.  Thanks for your work on this and posting it here.

I'm actually surprised that U get stronger signal from passive mode? Maybe your blocks are too big?

 I don't have the TPC's but I get tens with standard wiring. So I'd ask, what type wire do U use?

These values are at the layout, right? (not a test track?).

Joe,

All my wire in this setup is OGR's 16 gauge stranded wire.  This is all connected to the test layout to make sure it works before I build the wiring for the permanent layout.  The test layout is all FastTrack, 16 O72 curves and 4 30" straights.  So yes my "block" is more than the recommended 12 track sections for DCS.  However, the DCS signal is consistent all the way around the loop.  My concern in doing this was to see if the PSX-AC caused DCS signal issues, and it does.  The 22uH choke worked just fine to mitigate the interference.

Because of my loose wiring, I would not put too much stock in the actual signal strength number.  However, because the wiring is consistent between the different modes I say the relative values are good.  Without the choke, I get 5.  With the choke, I get 9.  I'd say that is a good indicator that I need to use the choke in my setup.

Ron

Ron,

When you are done can you post a picture so I can duplicate?

Charles

Charles,

If you are using what I'm calling the "TIU Standard Wiring", top diagram, you would put the PSX-AC between the TPC and the TIU.  No choke required (I think).  You can replace my PH180/TPC "transformer" with one handle of a ZW or Z4000.

I'm using the passive wiring technic because I'm actually driving the TPC in the bottom diagram with two PH180 bricks (20 amps), which is too much for a TIU (10 amps).  I cannot send that much power to the TIU.  FYI:  the PSX-AC is set for 15.4 amps, so that is the max power to the tracks.

Ron

Thanks for explaining that Ron.

Do you notice any voltage dropping? Do you have the loop insulated in at least one spot?

 I'm always interested in getting each layout tuned for optimal performance. I'm not being critical of anyone. I just would like to learn why we all get such a wide response from the system. I have studied it for a long time now and I'm still learning.

Joe,

I'm not checking for voltage drop.  I do not have the loop insulated, which when thinking about it is why my numbers are low.  I may break the loop just to see what happens to the numbers.

Ron

Ron,

I was referring to your statement...I want to see what it looks like after wiring.

"I plan to use crimpon connectors and these barrier srtips"

Charles

I have noticed that when the signal is very weak, it doesn't take much to make it weaker.

Joe,

I disconnected a track section so I now had a point to point instead of a loop, and there was no difference in the signal strength using passive wiring connections and PSX.  I put an older Lionel lighted caboose at one end of the track and the signal strength increased from mostly 9s to mostly 10s.  Since I'm using a TIU Rev L with 4.3 I did not expect that; thought the magic light wasn't needed with an L.

As I said before, the poor track connections of this temporary layout is probably the issue with the poor signal.

Ron

The way it looks is that the choke is also filtering any interference that may be generated by the TPC 400. I've tried big inductors/ chokes on the outputs of various DC power supplies and have noticed an increase in DCS signal strength.