Magic Bulb confusion

Wired into terminal block.

Thanks Captain !!!  Way different from what I was thinking.

I assume Boat captain ??  My summer time is spent on our 4700 Tiara. The trains keep me busy while its in winter storage :-)

Thanks !

235' Ferryboat on Long Island Sound

I was going to get one of those but Lake Erie is too small :-)

I believe you should first add one at the output of each TIU channel. If that does not get you tens on a signal test, than add one at the farthest connection(s) away on each channel from the tiu in addition to those. If you have distribution strips near that farthest point, you can add them to it.

 You can set up a test rig by using the bulb's socket and some clip on test leads. I put my wires on one end of each block nearer to the TIU. The bulbs went at the other end of each block, farthest away.

You shouldn't need any with the newest version L TIU!

If it's an older model, Try Susan's filters or bulbs that draw just more than .1 amp I believe.

Barry's book has some great wiring tips (rules).

Engineer-Joe posted:

You shouldn't need any with the newest version L TIU!

If it's an older model, Try Susan's filters or bulbs that draw just more than .1 amp I believe.

Barry's book has some great wiring tips (rules).

how do I know what version I have ? its only a couple years old. Are you saying the newest version has better output and wont need any bulbs/filters ?

how do I know what version I have ?

Look on the bottom for a sticker that has a letter, possibly followed by a number, and possibly other number. Thew higher, the newer the model. An original Rev. G has no such designation on it.

Are you saying the newest version has better output and wont need any bulbs/filters ?

Exactly.

The Rev L has far superior DCS signal strength than any previous TIU model.

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

I put the bulb across the TIU outputs on the non-Rev L TIUs, which is working great ensuring the signal is at max strength around the layout. 

The other trick which worked was putting illuminated bumpers at the end of stub tracks with a less-than-10 signal, which brought them all up to 9-10.

Even though I have rev. L I was getting 5,7's but when I added the bulb I now get all 10's. 

Btw this is on a HO Layout. 

Ok mine has REV L on the bottom, so skip the lights ?

Porsche 1662,

   Skip the magic lights on the Rev L if your layout is running with all 9's & 10's thru out. Add them if the layout is reporting weak signal thru out, it's the signal you want to acquire, with or without the magic lights.

PCRR/Dave