We completed adding ASC2s to modules on our yard configuration - 4 ASC2s driving a mix of K-Line Snaptrack, Lionel Fastrak, and Ross (DZ-1000) turnouts. Testing was with a spare Legacy Base and PDI power cable. All was good until the club equipment w/Legacy Base and a WiFi module arrived. At the same time, 4 sensor tracks were added. The initial sensor track was plugged into the club's WiFi empty PDI socket. Nothing worked reliably. At this point, the PDI daisy chain length was over 70 ft. We tried a number of cable reconfigurations and finally identified one (potentially) failed device - the WiFi module at the start of the PDI chain. After substituting a SER2 for the WiFi, we have the ASC2s working. Adding the Sensor tracks at the end of another 20 ft cable is not yet working.
Issues we encountered on this trouble-shooting adventure ...
- The PDI connector is not robust and repeated plug and unplug cycles on a modular or seasonal layout may cause mechanical/electrical problems.
- Is the cable bad or the component?
- Testing by observing the behavior of LCS modules is tedious and at times inconclusive.
Things I intend to try (and would appreciate comments):
- Create a Y in the PDI cable using a SER2 module. The read/write Sensor tracks will be on the primary PDI. The read-only ASC2s, with their own PDI power injector, will be on the SER2 leg of the Y.
- Is adding a PDI power injector at the tail end of the daisy chain worth trying? Some of the LCS device behaviors we observed looked like insufficient power. Does the serial input to the PDI power injector need to be terminated?
John
