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Using light blubs to Clear the Rf Signal

Chuck GuajardoChuck GuajardoOGR Forum Member

Hey out there,

 Hope all are enjoying this summer we're having, whew it's warm and humid - really enjoy the basement, recreate room it's cooler down there. Well, I was at a club meeting earlier last month when I saw that the member has DCS system, a MTH 4000 transformer set up with the four wires coming from the back to hook up to two independent runs. That was okay to see, however,  he also had installed two 18v bulbs each set up to pair of wires via from TIU's output to the track. He explain that in this fashion one can detect a clear travel of current (an RF signal) to the track and from the track. A light bulb and socket is connected to each run and stays on unless the current is broken by derailment or any other situation. Has anyone heard about this method of detection?  Because on my DCS layout I installed two circuit breakers - one each connect from the MHT4000 transformer to the input side of TIU and thought this would work as the same idea of the other mentioned. Any feedback on this?

Last edited by Chuck Guajardo
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S StoshuOGR Forum Member

I'm sure the guru's will chime in, but from what I remember the early

electronics had to see a constant load to function properly.

Lionel even had some fast track with lights built in to try and solve

some communication issues.

 

Now with the newer electronics and maybe a software change or 2 the lightbulb

thing is no longer needed. If it works for your friend great. Most systems don't

need it....

 

As a friend once told me. "communications is 50% luck and 50% voodoo"

 

 

Barry BroskowitzBarry BroskowitzOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

Either the club member has a poor understanding of what the bulbs are for, or you misunderstood his explanation.

 

The light bulbs have nothing to  do with circuit protection. They are used to improve the DCS signal when used with older TIUs. They are typically unnecessary when using the latest, Rev. L, DCS TIU.

 

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Chuck GuajardoChuck GuajardoOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:

Either the club member has a poor understanding of what the bulbs are for, or you misunderstood his explanation.

 

The light bulbs have nothing to  do with circuit protection. They are used to improve the DCS signal when used with older TIUs. They are typically unnecessary when using the latest, Rev. L, DCS TIU.

 

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

 Thanks for you quick response, I wasn't sure about what he the club member said, but my TIU was bought 2008, so I'm not sure about how old is old and thanks for your understanding,

N.Q.D.Y.N.Q.D.Y.OGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

Chuck,

 

From reading your post, I would think that your friend is using the lights to indicate that power is being supplied to the track and that there are no shorts. If the bulb is lit, then there is good power going to the track. A short or other power problem would cause the light to go out. 

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