New switch problems

taylorraOGR Forum Member

I have 12 switches and 16 blocks controlled by ASCs and block controllers. Suddenly they all stopped working. The other twelve switches controlled by SCIIs work fine. The leds on all units are fast blinking constantly. The manuals say that a fast blink indicates that the controller is receiving a command for another device. Since all units are flashing The "command" must be an error.

Tried swapping out the command base for my spare. No change.

Opened up the DB9 connector, checked continuity on both leads. No problem found.

Removed all batteries from CAB 1s on the off chance that a stuck key was sending a random signal to the base. No change.

Anybody have any ideas?

6/23/144:01 PM

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Joe FautyOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Another forum member had an issue very similar to this. I can't find the thread so you will have to do your own search. I do remember the solution turned out to be a simple one. Gunrunnerjohn was involved. Perhaps John remembers the thread.

Joe

7/10/1411:30 AM

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Mike CTOGR Forum Member

Similar thread. ASC BPC problem. June 26, 2014. Click on the underlined phrase to link.

7/10/1411:38 AM

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Jim SteflOGR Forum Member

check your cab2, a key might be stuck.

7/10/1412:59 PM

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taylorraOGR Forum Member

As I posted on the electrical board, I sent Dale Manquen a BPC. He initally had the same problem, but got it working. He called and suggested I power the modules from a separate transformer not phased to the other five. PROBLEM SOLVED. Obviously, there is a point somewhere on the layout where the earth ground is crossed with the track common. Haven't found it yet. Dale suggests that I keep looking even though everything seems to be working with the isolated power supply.

7/10/144:04 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I'm shocked if earth ground is connected to track common and it still works. You're shorting the TMCC signal...

7/10/144:16 PM

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taylorraOGR Forum Member

You're right John. Someplace, the earth ground is shorted to common. To correct the problem, I have hooked up a small transformer to power all the TMCC modules. All work fine. This transformer common is not phased with the 5 phased transformers which power the layout. No success yet in locating the connection.

7/10/144:30 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I'm curious how TMCC locomotives run on the layout...