Magnetic Uncoupling Section killed DCS signal - Edited and Photos added

Are you looking for solutions or just telling us about a potential issue?

Just one more addition to the list of gremlins that can kill the DCS signal.  Mine was fixed when I removed the special track.

Had the Gargraves section been working since 2003 and just failed?

I ask because I have a new Gargraves uncoupling/operating track section (3 button controller) that I have not yet installed. It was for an expansion that hasn't yet been started. Anyway I will watch it for any problems upon installation.

The only way that the Gargraves section could have degraded the DCS signal is if it was being activated via track power. That would put the DCS signal through the coil of the track's electromagnet.

If operated using a separate power source, as I do, there would be no DCS signal degradation.

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I currently (no pun intended) have some Atlas uncoupling tracks that are operated by a separate power source and they have caused no problems so far. The Gargraves operating track will also be powered from that same separate source and all should be well. Thanks.

That 2003 uncoupling track had killed the DCS signal since day 1.  I'm just working on roundtoits now for several reasons.   The magnet wasn't strong enough to uncouple anything.

That old style uncoupler killed the DCS signal because the center rail pass through track power connection was inadequate (very loose connections).   I had it installed between two tracks that had their own wire taps.  Any loose connections, wire or track, in a DCS circuit will degrade the signal. 

I'll post a photo showing the bad track connection design later.

Susan,

Any loose connections, wire or track, in a DCS circuit will degrade the signal. 

Yes, that's true.

Additionally, using track power for the magnet can also degrade the DCS signal any time that the magnet is activated.

Thanks for the further info, I will watch for the pictures to see if mine has the same problems.

I would note for the record that old Lionel UCS tracks often will develop poor connections between the center rails on each side of the magnet, which degrades electrical distribution and, as Barry agrees above, DCS signal.  Soldering the tracks clips to buss bars under the track helps.

Fastrack stuff has the same issue, especially switches.  I'll bet that Realtrax probably has similar issues.