Finally at a point where I'd like to add a right handed fastrack remote switch to my layout (which is all lionel fastrack). Since i'm running strictly MTH trains on the fixed output of TIU, can I also run the Lionel electronic switch by adding it to the line or must I run separate AIU to power it. In other words, would I do damage to the switcher by running it in conjunction with the fixed voltage line?
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I have Lionel Fastrack remote and command switches powered directly from the TIU, no problems at all. I've heard that it's possible that with enough of them they'll affect the TIU signal, so far four of them on one TIU channel and two on the other don't bother the signal for me.
Thanks, John. Didn't know if the fixed voltage affected them or not....I believe they have a self contained voltage regulator within the track switch to knock it down to the 5 volts required to run the switch. Didn't know if they were any side issues....
None that I'm aware of. They're obviously designed to run from track voltage, and the command versions would logically be running on constant 18 volts. The DCC signal has no real bearing here, the only issue there is if the switch electronics interferes with the DCS operation.
Eric,
Switch motors that utilize twin-coils or other forms of electromagnets may degrade the DCS signal if they are run on track power.
Do you have any information that suggests that Fastrack switches fall into that category? Obviously, there is an electromagnet involved, in this case a small PM motor that operates the switch rails.
John,
Do you have any information that suggests that Fastrack switches fall into that category?
I have no clue...
I have 35 fastrack switches on my layout, which runs 4 DCS channels. With up to 10 switches per channel, I have a reasonable DCS signal strength of between 6 and 10.
I have recently started transfering the Fastrack switches to AUX power from a Lionel 1033 transformer. My signal strength in the 2 DCS blocks where I have made the conversion is a solid 10. this indicates that the fastrack switches have a small effect on the DCS signal strength.
With 4 switches, I would not be concerned, as I found the signal strength of 6 to give acceptable operation. I tried to minimize the number of switches in the middle of a wiring block, by keeping them near the ends of the block. With the fastrack switches, you have the short add-on piece that has the center rail connector wire. By removing this wire, you can easily create the DCS blocks that require the center rail to be "cut".
Joe K
That's good information Joe, I figured that the electronics in those would have some effect on the signal, but since I only have four on one TIU channel, I had no direct way to test it.
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