GarGraves #107 UC magnet: Issues & Q's

Phil,

Funny, Don Grabski E-mailed me, I assume on your behalf, with that exact same question yesterday.

As I told Don, mine are all wired using a separate power supply for Hot and the track for Common. That works just fine for me. It also allows use of the uncoupler in an unpowered siding.

I know that powering uncouplers on 18V track power with the TMCC Direct Lockon immediately trips the lockon stopping things in their tracks.  I'm with Barry on this one, use separate power and avoid any issues with spikes on the track.

BB:  You R correcto! I KNOW what you said would work, but I still want to know if my alternative is viable....

John: "...spikes on the track".  Interesting comment......Thx to both of you.

Phil,

You do not want to run the DCS signal through a magnet coil. That can casue signal degradation when the magnet is active.

BB: CAN vs WILL?  I DO see that a problem can/will [?] occur if I have DCS trains running elsewhere....away from the magnet that I wish to [briefly!?] activate.  'Any idea what could/would happen?

Phil,

Any idea what could/would happen?

Anything from nothing to complete loss of control.

Phil, I think I'd take Barry's advice, I think powering that off the track power is simply a bad idea all around.