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VL Big Boy Front light blinking

B BReeceOGR Forum Member

Upper level layout.  43 ft.  Loop.

VLBB runs great.

VLBB front light blinks when moving over one spot, sometimes (not all) the engine will stop.

 

This is no joke!                        

 

I can put my hand (touch, no pressure) on the layout in that area (not the track/road bed) the foundation and the light will not blink.

Also, I can put my hand in front of the engine while moving and the light will not blink.

 

The entire track in that section is wired together so there is not a short.  Track power is a Lionel brick 180, steady 18 volts all around the loop; nothing else runs or is connected to the brick except the VLBB.

 

All comments welcome. I am about ready to just enjoy the engine and forget about the light blinking but would like to know why it is happening.

 

Brent

 

Original Post
MartyEMartyEOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBERMEMORIAL SUPPORTER

This is a command signal issue.  Go to the Legacy TMCC forum and do a search of ground planes.  Simply put you are getting a weak TMCC signal in that area. You will need to get an earth ground, not a track common, into that area.

 

 One of the easy ways is to run a wire from a known good earth ground such as an outlet cover center screw, third ground prong, or in some cases a copper water pipe into that area of the layout.  It does not get connected on the layout end but lays near the offending area.  Of course this assumes that your command base is plugged into a properly grounded outlet as well.  Some AC strips will not work so you might want to try to bypass it for the command base.

 

The explanation in these threads should help.

Last edited by MartyE

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