Problem with DCS Signal

Jack,

First, make sure that when using Fixed #2, the TIIU is getting power for itself from either Fixed #1 In or the Aux. Power port.

Barry,

   Yes I checked that,TIU is getting power via fixed one. I even pulled the power from fixed 1 and plugged the brick into the Aux port. Got power but still no help.  

Jack,

How many drops do you have on your outer loop where you are having the problem and how big is the loop?

Hi Joe,

It is only 1 drop for one large 20x6 loop. I did intend to add another drop, and I can see that the signal may degrade as you get far away from the connection, but the problem is still there if I am on the track with the connection. My inner loop is 20x54" with one drop and all 10's.

Perhaps I should rig up a separate test track and see if the problem is still there.

 What type of track are you using ?  They all connect a little differently. Tubular track with pins is probably the best as far as acontinous electrical connection. Your one connection. Are both outside rails connected to one another ?   For a loop this size. 12 gauge would probably be best. 14 gauge would probably do. Anything less and your pushing the limit.

 Does your layout track sections separate easily?  By easily. I mean no ballast.just a few screws. Separate the loop if you can. Start testing where you feeder wires are. Keep adding track to the signal goes south. You either have bad track joints or more likely. Need to divide and block the layout.

Dividing and blocking solved all my DCS problems. No more 'engine not found', 'not on track' etc. Have not had a DCS error (other than self inflicted) since I blocked my layout a little over 3 years ago. Made a believer out of me!! Everything I do from now on will be blocked.

I have 2 loops with 4 blocks per loop. Inner & outer loops are connected, but isolated between the crossover switches. Like you, I have one fixed channel used for each loop. Layout size is 6'x16'. 

Hey guys,

 Well before I crawl under the layout and add more drops I figured I would make sure what I was dealing with, so I just made up a small test track and used that..a single length of Gargraves.. Sure enough same issues. The problem is definitely the Fixed 2 on the TIU. Looks like I will buy a new one. I will be at Greenberg tomorrow so maybe then. Just for fun I hooked up the single drop of the outer loop into the block for the fixed 1...ZERO problems..LOL,In fact I still have 9 or 10's all around, drops to 7-8 through the 4 way crossover. Had 2 engines running. 

Thanks for the help..guess I should have done the test track 1st!

  Jack

jackd posted:

.... I tried the outer loop using the DCS Fixed 1 output, to see if the #2 output was the problem...no help.  This is for all my engines. All work fine on the inner section,....

           Jack 

something doesn't make sense here then.

I tried the outer loop using the DCS Fixed 1 output, to see if the #2 output was the problem...no help. 

That's a quote from your original post

Sorry, Joe. Must have been typing while you were posting.

I know...I did say that..only thing I can figure is Maybe I thought I tried Fixed one but perhaps I did not...Not sure.

Well.I know it all works on fixed one now..let me plus fixed 2 into my terminal block and see if any of the layout works...

No doubt..Fixed 2 is the problem. Engines would start and move, fire coupler, horn,but no on/off headlight, cab sounds, etc. All commands I put in I got the check track message, even at start up.  Maybe the fixed 2 plug receptacles are bad/dirty? 

 You can change either of the 2 variable channels to fixed with a few button pushes of the remote. Rather than running out and buying a new one. You are only using 2 channels with your present setup.

jackd posted:

No doubt..Fixed 2 is the problem. Engines would start and move, fire coupler, horn,but no on/off headlight, cab sounds, etc. All commands I put in I got the check track message, even at start up.  Maybe the fixed 2 plug receptacles are bad/dirty? 

You'd have to answer your own questions here.

Are they dirty? How would they get dirty?

Maybe they are loose? You have to check inside.

Also, If this is an older TIU, do you have bulbs attached?

What type of wire are you using to track? What gauge? How are you connecting to the track?

Mainly now, what is different between the inner and outer loops?

Dave_C posted:

 You can change either of the 2 variable channels to fixed with a few button pushes of the remote. Rather than running out and buying a new one. You are only using 2 channels with your present setup.

Dave,Can you tell me how..I see in the manual you can turn the channels on/off but I do not see where you can make the variables fixed for DCS

Engineer-Joe posted:

jackd posted:

No doubt..Fixed 2 is the problem. Engines would start and move, fire coupler, horn,but no on/off headlight, cab sounds, etc. All commands I put in I got the check track message, even at start up.  Maybe the fixed 2 plug receptacles are bad/dirty? 

You'd have to answer your own questions here.

Are they dirty? How would they get dirty?

Maybe they are loose? You have to check inside.

Also, If this is an older TIU, do you have bulbs attached?

What type of wire are you using to track? What gauge? How are you connecting to the track?

Mainly now, what is different between the inner and outer loops?

Actually the Hot side of the input was a bit corroded..I cleaned it out best I could..much better but not pristine like all the others.

It has been sitting in a plastic storage container the past 7 yrs.

It is an older TIU,and I never had need to use the bulb trick..last 2 layouts were large with no problems.

Only difference between the loops is size. 

jack,

I do not see where you can make the variables fixed for DCS

Menu/System/DCS Setup, highlight a variable channel and press soft key FXD once or twice until “Fixed Mode” is displayed.

This and a whole lot more about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Is the large loop broke in at least one spot? (electrically insulated)

Barry Broskowitz posted:

jack,

I do not see where you can make the variables fixed for DCS

Menu/System/DCS Setup, highlight a variable channel and press soft key FXD once or twice until “Fixed Mode” is displayed.

---

This and a whole lot more about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Barry,

Problem is I do not have FXD as the 5th soft key..it's blank, only On,Off  Aon,Aof

Barry,

Problem is I do not have FXD as the 5th soft key..it's blank, only On,Off  Aon,Aof

Huh? sounds to me like a reload of the  software.  

jackd posted:

Hi Joe,

It is only 1 drop for one large 20x6 loop. I did intend to add another drop, and I can see that the signal may degrade as you get far away from the connection, but the problem is still there if I am on the track with the connection. My inner loop is 20x54" with one drop and all 10's.

Perhaps I should rig up a separate test track and see if the problem is still there.

I separate the track into blocks, with 5-6 sections of Gargraves per block, with one drop only for the hot center rail.  Both outside rails, the commons, are tied together.  For our outer mainline, for example, about 120', is separated into four blocks ... four power drops.  10s all around.

Also sounds like you really should get a copy of Barry's book, it's a great help in using DCS. See link in his post for where to purchase. 

It's has provided me with many answers in the 6-7 years I have been using DCS, well worth it at twice the price, IMO!! I still refer to it frequently.