Lately I have been having a problem with Legacy and DCS. Whenever I try to run Legacy engines and DCS engines on the same track the DCS engine automatically starts up as if it was in conventional mode. I have my Legacy wire connected to the fixed voltage in one ground terminal and daisy chained the wire to the fixed voltage in two channel. Any ideas of what the problem might be?
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It is a known DCS issue with some Legacy engines and constant voltage lighting circuits. It is interference. Search the DCS forum for adding chokes to the Legacy engine pickups to help correct this.
I believe it is a 22uh.
Nick,
From page 152 of the DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition:
Some, but not all, TMCC engines will degrade the DCS signal of any PS2 engine with which they are in close proximity. This effect varies both by individual TMCC engine and by the distance between the TMCC and PS2 engines. In many cases, an RF choke inserted in the Hot wire between the pickup rollers and the TMCC engine's circuit board will correct this problem.
Some lighted cabooses, most notably those manufactured by Atlas O, may degrade the DCS signal, as may some engines or passenger cars with constant voltage (CV) lighting boards. Again, an RF choke inserted in the Hot wire between the pickup rollers and the circuit board in these cars will generally correct this problem. Although a number of different RF chokes may be effective in reducing interference from CV boards, one that has an electrical value of 22uh (micro henries) is known to work well.
The above applies to some Legacy engines, as well as to TMCC engines.
This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site!
CLICK HERE go to MTH's web page for the book!
Thanks, guys I will try this out.
Do you have an Atlas smoking caboose on the tracks?
No I do not have any Atlas rolling stock on my layout. The non DCS engines on the track are a Great Northern gp-7, Legacy sd70ace, and a Legacy Illinois Central Berkshire.
Take them off one-at-a-time and see if that has an effect.