I purchased the Lionel 6-12052 Grade Crossing with Flashers (no gates), and it works perfectly fine on 18vdc. There are no user-accessible connections underneath for providing accessory power. But, the device bugs the living heck out of me.
First, despite the fact that the unit only drives 4 LED's (and only two-at-a-time at that), plus the sound effects circuitry, the dang thing "sparks" when engine or stock cars connect the isolated outer-track. Geez, that much current to cause a spark?
Three issues I've considered:
1. How much of the circuitry in this device is squashing my DCS signal (hence the posting in this forum)?
2. Would a low-amperage interface between the isolated and non-isolated track help? This logically produces two sub-topics:
a) A low resistance device such as an opt-coupler would certainly minimize sparking, but would provide very little current to the isolated rail, thereby demanding more current from both the opposite rail and all wheels on that rail.
b) A high-resistance device between the isolated and non-isolated tracks like a high-current relay would certainly provide "support" current to the isolated outside rail, but would it be any better than Lionel's circuitry, which leans to #3...
3. Is their an appropriate "DCS RF Bypass" filter that should, in ideal conditions, be wired to span the entire isolated outer rail? While I'll concede that the opposite rail should provide enough power & signal, dirty track or dirty wheels must be considered. Frankly, I'm thinking that anything above 50uF 100v NP would be sufficient...and you'd only need per crossing gate.
Or...
By a majority opinion, are my concerns unwarranted?
