My new control Panel AZGNCV RR

Dan,

I am not using any wireless controls because they are all using the same frequency except Lionel Legacy. MTH and NCE have issues around interference of their rf signals

Could you please explain this further? Since you're using the MTH and Lionel WiFi systems, I assume that you're referring to the DCS Remote and Cab-2 controller. There's no interference between these two systems, since MTH uses 900 MHz and Lionel uses 2.4 GHz.

Is it the NCE system that's causing problems? If the NCE is tethered to it's controller, it shouldn't be causing any interference issues. Why can't you use the DCS and Legacy handheld remotes wirelessly?

The NCE controls get around a problem with the AIU relay hold-time in some instances it is too long.

What is the problem to which you're referring?

Berry, 

The NCE is also wireless but I have it tethered as the NCE is on the same frequency as MTH and the two interfer with each other. I ran into that in San Diego at the 3-Railers in the museum. Even if you have two NCE systems in the vicinity of each other they will also interfere with each other.  I used my test setup I developed while in service and it works pretty good finding EMI & IMI.  I also found the one of the clubs had their antenna upside down and it was sending the RF signal under the door of the 3-rail gallery.  I also questioned why the other NCE systems were not interfered with and the others were using tethers. 

Where I have encountered this problem I recommend that they contact NCE and have them change the frequency of their signal and that corrects the problem. 

I went to another train gallery and they had multiple control systems and the MTH was getting interfered with and I asked them to turn off the NCE system and the problem went away. I went back there again and all was fine till the problem showed up it was someone not using the new frequency for the NCE system.

I was the one who designed and wired the San Diego 3-Railers with Jim Burke we were the only two doing the wiring. Everyone questioned why I did things the way I did and when it all worked they said "I guess you are right all along" 

I enjoy your books and they are a good reference. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask. 

Dan

First, it's Barry.

If you have any other questions please feel free to ask. 

It would be good if you answered my original questions:

If the NCE is tethered to it's controller, it shouldn't be causing any interference issues. Why can't you use the DCS and Legacy handheld remotes wirelessly?

and my other question regarding your statement:

"The NCE controls get around a problem with the AIU relay hold-time in some instances it is too long."

Barry,

Sorry about the name. 

It is my choice to tether the controls. The only one not tethered is the Lionel Legacy

 NCE is not an issue now and I could use the MTH or Lionel remotes and my granddaughters like that. But when I do train shows I tether the TIU and NCE. 

The relays in the AIU have a pull time and hold time, by that I mean, "pull time" time it takes the relay to pull in and "hold time" time it takes to release, (less out side circuitry)  these two are manufacture spec and there is no getting around them. I have dealt with this problem before and had to certify the Pull & Hold times.  Now saying that, I know the relays in the AIU are program controlled. I hate to say how many Atlas switch controls I burned out till I figured out what was happening. Now when I tested the AIU on the bench the output stayed a little to long and smoked the Atlas switch control. When I asked Atlas how much current and what resistance I should see and they had no answer. I even put a diode in series with the power to half wave it (old electrician trick to keep relays from chattering when power supplied) Still did not correct the problem. Now I understand the program change but I have not tested it since my initial check back then.  I talked with Jason about the problem and no one could or would give me a straight answer (at that time) proprietary system.  Jason was my go to man when I needed answers when I first dove into the problem. 

I hope I did not forget any thing you asked for me to answer. If I did let me know. 

Dan,

Are you stating that that the couple of seconds during which the AIU activates an SW port is long enough to burn out an Atlas switch motor? I've heard any number of comments about SW AIU ports, however, I've never heard about anything like this.

I find this very difficult to believe unless you're puttinga lot more voltage than is necessary into the Atlas motor. How much voltage are you using?

Regardless, what was your solution?

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Dan,

Are you stating that that the couple of seconds during which the AIU activates an SW port is long enough to burn out an Atlas switch motor? I've heard any number of comments about SW AIU ports, however, I've never heard about anything like this.

I find this very difficult to believe unless you're puttinga lot more voltage than is necessary into the Atlas motor. How much voltage are you using?

Regardless, what was your solution?

Barry

Yes I am. We had about 10 switches that burned up and when triggered by Lionel ASC  switch control they worked fine, after replaced. No the voltage was what was recommended by Atlas. Then operated the switch with the AIU and puff. 

I did not believe it at first either and it took me a long time to understand what was happening, then I remembered something I saw in my field engineer days two mechanical operations were out of sync as one would stay on longer then the other. 

Voltage was about 12VAC.

Dan,

OK, for the 3rd time...

Regardless, what was your solution?

Barry, 

When I left they were going update the TIU with a new program and I believe that it is now working.  I believe that the TIU controls the operation of the AIU is that not right? The person working on it did tell me they had a couple of switch motors go and were getting new ones from Atlas. That is where it was left. I do not know anything else. 

It sure has been nice chatting with you I really like what you have done with the books on DCS., THANKS

Dan,

When did all this take place?

Barry

Sometime around 2003 it was when I was trying to bring up the system. 

Dan,

Have you tried it since?

Barry, 

I will be doing some testing on my AIU and see if the programs was changed. I remember that I was told that MTH was making a program change but I never followed it.  I will let you know what my test show some time this week.

Dan,

I've been in touch with MTH this morning. They haven't ever heard of any issues with DCS regarding the AIU burning up Atlas switch motors since the event of DCS 4.0, some 9 years ago.

Since it's been 13 years since your last incident and DCS has progressed from DCS 2.21 to DCS 5.0, I suggest that it may be time to revisit the issue.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Dan,

I've been in touch with MTH this morning. They haven' ever heard of any issues with DCS regarding the AIU burning up Atlas switch motors since the event of DCS 4.0, some 9 years ago.

Since it's been 13 years since your last incident and DCS has progressed from DCS 2.21 to DCS 5.0, I suggest that it may be time to revisit the issue.

Barry, 

Thanks, I knew had been a while and you confirmed my belief that the program change made the difference. I am going to revisit the issue and confirm to myself. I have pretty good notes on the issue all I need to do is find them and that may be hard. 

I thank you for our conversation and it has been a pleasure. 

how do i change my name in control panel 

I don't think you can. I believe you have to contact OGR to have it changed.

Thanks Joe