Problem with programing one command control switch in layout

You tried three different switches in the failing position and they all fail?  Sounds like a weak TMCC signal in that area.  Try laying an earth ground wire next to the switch and see if that wakes it up.

Thanks for the reply. I have some copper ground wire left over from another project. I will run it next to the switch and ground it to a pipe. If that doesn’t work is there a place in the switch to connect an additional common wire from the BPC2? I have a hot and common connected to track a few inches from the switch now. The other switches in that block work fine. 

Well, you can use any old insulated wire for the ground wire.  Note that it doesn't connect to ANYTHING but the ground connection.  The ideal ground connection is back at the command base.  While others should work, that's the best.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot.

While I know that the booster supplies a connection to the ground pin, the extra antenna wire requirement almost begs for a stand alone double DB9 connector like a socket saver to bring out the connection wire while allowing accessory plug in access. I think Dale M had that capability in one of his products too.

I haven’t found any suitable socket savers on line with the capability of easily adding a wire.

The adapter Dale made from the serial data connector for earth ground was somewhat of a PITA to do in quantity.  Since the power plug outside barrel has the same earth ground on it, and it was much easier to connect to that one, that's what I did with the TMCC buffer.  All you need is a male and female 5.5/2.5 power connector and you can tap into that connection.

That is easier!

Sorry but ya'll lost me. Can you make it simpler for a novice. Thanks

What's wrong, my Fancy Footwork confusing you!

What I'm saying is if you inserted these in series with the power connection to the command base (obviously wired 1:1 between the male and female), you can pick up the earth ground on the outside barrel of the power connection.  There are 5.5/2.5mm barrel connectors, and do NOT try to use the 5.5/2.1mm ones, they don't work.

Thanks. I’ll look for the parts. 

What size are those. It’s hard to measure the inside accurately. 5.5/2.5?

Sorry, I thought I put it in the post.  They're 5.5/2.5 mm connectors, the 5.5/2.1 mm ones do NOT work.

Oh you did. Sorry, didn't scroll up on my phone.

cjack posted:

Oh you did. Sorry, didn't scroll up on my phone.

I cannot tell a lie Chuck, I edited it after you commented.   It really wasn't there when you looked.

I get the parts tomorrow. Do you have s picture of the wiring you did with them? Thanks again for your help. 

No rocket science here.  Connect the inner pin and contact through the cable and the outer barrels as well.  The extra wire that comes off is tapped off the outer barrel of the connector.  This is the cable that is used with the TMCC/Legacy Track Signal Booster.

Looks easy thanks

Another quick question. If you move a switch that has a switch number does it keep that number?

Unless you reprogram it yes, it survives through power cycles.

Again thank you for helping the rookie!

We were all rookies once.