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Odd watchdog signal issue on 2 tracks

Sparky74Sparky74OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

To start off I have read Barry's book all morning trying to figure out my issue.  The top 2 tracks, light and dark blue, are having a problem.  No matter which MTH engine I put on it they will come up as engine not on track when selected. The funny thing is they stay silent when power is applied and on a PS2 unit I hear the relay in the engine click.  Anywhere else on the layout they are able to be chosen via the DCS remote or the wifi app.  I have checked voltage with a meter and all Lionel legacy locomotives run fine on those 2 tracks.

I have my inner and outer loops wired to fixed 1 and fixed 2.   The yellow yard tracks, orange industry spur, and the blue tracks (engine shed) are all powered separately and each has its own passively wired DCS remote commander to send the watchdog signal.  I could see one being bad but both? Nonetheless I suppose that's a possibility.   I guess the first thing to check is go ahead and swap one out right after I post this.

Any ideas guys?

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Last edited by Sparky74
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Sparky74Sparky74OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Gregg posted:

How's the track signal on the green, dark & light   blue?  I think I might put a   lighted bumper on the tracks. Sounds to me like a weak DCS signal.

There are lighted bumpers on the tracks and I stated I checked voltage with a voltmeter.  Cant get a signal reading if I can't get a DCS engine to be recognized to start it up.  This all came about suddenly.  There is obviously some issue with the watchdog signal and what I'm trying to get to the bottom of.  All wheels, rollers, and track were cleaned as a starting point. All wiring under the layout was checked as well.

Swapped out a DCSRC for another, no change.

Last edited by Sparky74
Sparky74Sparky74OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Gregg posted:

 Are the blue tracks on the same Tiu channel as the green?  If I read your post correctly the green track are working fine? 

I believe the green and blue are on the same channel.  Red and yellows on another.  But moving the engine to green track and it's fine.  The two blue tracks are powered off of relays via the AIU and each have a passively wired DCE remote commander to send the watchdog signal.

All the tracks are fine except those two.  I took a TMCC crane off one track and got the engine to be read by the remote.  Not sure if coincidence but still doesn't explain the other track.  Anyway ran both MTH engines around my loops and parked back on blue tracks, now they shut down and start up multiple times.  going to leave them all off and recheck tomorrow.  1 is a PS3 and other is a PS2 with a BCR.

Last edited by Sparky74
G GreggOGR Forum Member

All the tracks are fine except those two.  I took a TMCC crane off one track and got the engine to be read by the remote.  Not sure if coincidence but still doesn't explain the other track.

It's not a coincidence,  Some TMCC engines  including the crane  will  destroy the DCS signal.  Maybe have it's own little section at the end  on the blue that  power can be turned completely off .   Something along those lines, I don't think I would attempt to  install a choke in the crane to prevent interference.

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