TMCC and the outdoors...

What type of track do you use?  Is there ballast touching the outer rails?  If wet ballast is touching the outside rails, that might act as a short circuit for the TMCC track signal.

Was the light flashing on the Base when you were sending commands?

 I spoke with a guy years ago running TMCC outside with large scale. He said the same thing about having to keep the tracks from grounding out or something like that. He said if the ballast touches the rails, it messed up. I imagine the water could do the same? Might be more to it but I'm going from memory. Seems like the same as what Dale's saying.

Dale...

We are using Atlas track and switches...I thought the grounding, water contact might be one culprit...I did not account for he signal issue as I was getting a solid 18 volts in the rails through out the run.

When I get back to the layout this week I will adjust the ballast contact and insure there is little to no moisture contact.

The red light would blink intermittently while use the hand held control...unless it was touching the brick then it blinked each time...

We are very satisfied with the TMCC system when it was all warm and dry weather...Live and Learn...

thanks for you quick reply...

jeff

I assume by "brick" you mean the Base.  What is the nature of your "control shed"?

Your post seems to imply the issue is communication between the remote and the base from the fact that you can bring the remote close to the base and then it works.  Is that correct?

Could it be the wet walls of the "control shed" is blocking the 27mhz signal from the remote?

Dale, Gunrunner,

The shed is a tough shed type...2x4s and T11 siding, asphalt shake roof...I have been tossing around the idea of installing a widow on the side where the "Cab" is located and thus possibly eliminating the potential blockage you speak of...plus I have one just laying around the house from a remodel oh say 7 years ago...why throw anything away...

We are expecting more rain tomorrow, our work day on the layout so testing the system may get put off until we have a dry spell...

I will keep you all posted via this blog...

thanks for the tips...

jeff