Passenger cars robbing DCS signal

Scott,

I'm not sure, but I think those cars may have an electronic circuit board in them. If that's the case, the boards are known for killing DCS signals. Try installing a 22uh choke (Radio Shack or one of the electronic supply houses) between the pickups and the board. That should solve your problem. BTW, Altas cabooses, especially the early ones are also known to have this problem.

Chris

LVHR

https://ogrforum.com/d...ent/4104666422488074

I searched this forum for dcs passenger signal. There are a number of topics, but they all seem to point to installing rf chokes

I have a number of Kline 21" passenger cars that I run with PS2 engines. They do not have chokes and they don't degrade the signal.

If you do install 22 uh inductors, do it on the pickup roller side of the circuit.

Hi Scott,

Most of the K-Line cars just have light bulbs inside and do little or no harm to the DCS signal.  However, as Chris suggested, some of them do other solid state components.  In particular, some observation cars used LED marker lights that were driven off unfiltered rectifiers.  The K-Line bi-level cars also had rear marker lights on each car that were LED's.  Usually it is the LED equipped cars that kill the DCS signal.

I would suggest setting all the cars and a locomotive on your track but with all pieces uncoupled.  Start a track signal test (should read 0-3) and start removing the cars one at a time until the signal strength comes up.  Start by removing any car(s) with marker lights since these are the most likely offenders.  Once the signal comes up you know the rest of the cars are OK.  You can then set the suspect cars on the track one at a time to isolated the problem.  Any car that reduces the DCS signal will need an inductor installed on the wire leading from the pick-up rollers to the lighting board.

 I don't know if it's just around here. I went to Radio Shack for some parts. The new kid there said they don't sell that stuff anymore. How about a phone???

 I replied again I was looking for a switch. He said for the third or fourth time, as I was leaving, why don't you get a new phone!!

As to Radio Shack, it varies, the lack of electronics hasn't spread to Radio Shacks I hit in NJ. The sales pitch has, and that's normal. Sales people are often graded on making the pitch they are given. I wouldn't buy a phone there (bought my first computer there... I learned!), but I'm glad they exist for electronics.