Switch Power

Henry,

   Unless you run FasTrack you might consider independently powering your switches, it looks like you have planned your DCS layout well however if your power loss is so little.

You may get some DCS signal loss around your switch areas also.  However if you have no trouble with either your DCS signal or over all power, continue running in the manner you have already engineered.  If it works it does not need fixed.

You might consider eliminating all your switch wiring by transitioning in and out of FasTrack Command Control Switches in the future.  In this manner your low voltage FTCC Switches would operate from the Legacy or TMCC HHRC, with just the push of 2 buttons, eliminating all the AIU Switch wiring completely.  Further these FTCC Switches work great from track power, a true plug and play Engineering operation, that MTH needs to develop in their own switches.

Have fun with your RealTrax layout.

PCRR/Dave

Reason for using separate power feed to switches is not current draw, but the effect of switch motor coils upon DCS signal.

You also did not mention some key ingredients: gauge of feeds; type of switches

RJR posted:

Reason for using separate power feed to switches is not current draw, but the effect of switch motor coils upon DCS signal.

You also did not mention some key ingredients: gauge of feeds; type of switches

RJR, I use16 gauge within 20 feet of TIU and 14 gauge for the longer runs throughout the the layout.  My Layout is 50' by 10' with 4 levels. All my switches are MTH realtracx. I have 25 on the lower level that are on one output of the TIU. the lower level has 3 main loops, My yard is controled by another output on the TIU that do not include the 25. I will only run one train on each loop at a time that's all I can handle. My main concern is the DCS signal.

Dave thanks for your input

Henry

C6USA, my advice would be, if it works and does what you want, leave it; if not install a separate feed.  I have had experience with Lionel 022 switches & NJI switch motors, but now am all DZ1000.  All track is Gargraves.

Henry,

There is documented evidence, going back to the very beginning of DCS, that running the DCS signal through the coils and motors of switch tracks and accessories can seriously degrade the DCS signal.

Although the signal degradation is primarily while such devices are actuated, Murphy dictates that the degradation will happen at the worst possible time.

When the problem presents itself, any DCS command issued by a remote or the DCS App can possibly hang the device for considerably longer than the device is actually in use, since the DCS  remote or app can go into a "wait state" for an acknowledgement that never arrives, before finally reissuing the last command.

The worst offenders are switch tracks that utilize a non-derailing mechanism that continuously activates the switch as the train passes over the control rails. An example of such would be the old Lionel O27 switch tracks. Another would be Atlas switch tracks that are directly-wired for non-derailing operation. The least offensive switch tracks are those powered by Z-Stuff DZ1000 switch motors that quickly throw the switch and then immediately stop activating.

The smart thing to do, if you're serious about consistently good DCS performance, is to use a separate power source for switch tracks and accessories.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Henry,

There is documented evidence, going back to the very beginning of DCS, that running the DCS signal through the coils and motors of switch tracks and accessories can seriously degrade the DCS signal.

Although the signal degradation is primarily while such devices are actuated, Murphy dictates that the degradation will happen at the worst possible time.

When the problem presents itself, any DCS command issued by a remote or the DCS App can possibly hang the device for considerably longer than the device is actually in use, since the DCS  remote or app can go into a "wait state" for an acknowledgement that never arrives, before finally reissuing the last command.

The worst offenders are switch tracks that utilize a non-derailing mechanism that continuously activates the switch as the train passes over the control rails. An example of such would be the old Lionel O27 switch tracks. Another would be Atlas switch tracks that are directly-wired for non-derailing operation. The least offensive switch tracks are those powered by Z-Stuff DZ1000 switch motors that quickly throw the switch and then immediately stop activating.

The smart thing to do, if you're serious about consistently good DCS performance, is to use a separate power source for switch tracks and accessories.

Barry thanks for this info and what you state about it hangs up when going over switches. on a couple of them I have notice but not all the time that's why I did this post. Looks like I have a lot of work to do I have a total of 43 switches to redo and 5 AIU's

Thanks again Henry