Weak signal strength at end of 60' feeder.

For a 60' wire run, I'd recommend using 14 gauge stranded wire. Twisted pair is preferred, however, it wouldn't make a very great difference.

As an experiment, I'd disconnect one end of the wire pair and run a different pair of wires directly from a TIU channel to the siding.

Wire  a magic bulb  in (light bulb) at the end of the spur.    ( guaranteed fix)   

Gregg, what are the terms of your guarantee? 

60' is a long run for #16 wire.  If he were running heavy loads, approaching 10 amps, I'd shoort for #12 srranded.

Here are my terms..... Place a lighted caboose at the end of the spur and try it. All our stuff is 14 gauge stranded.

Need more load than a single bulb.  How about a 2-ohm resistor, about 20-watt, and apply 18 volts.  Check voltage drop.  (Don't keep fingers on resistor.)

I wouldn't expect a light bulb to be needed here. 60' is not big. Something else is causing the poor signal. I would disconnect the track and try your wire to a test piece. Then check the signal strength.

 What is the power source?

Gregg,

Wire  a magic bulb  in (light bulb) at the end of the spur.    ( guaranteed fix) 

It's a Rev. L TIU. I wouldn't think that a light bulb is the most appropriate fix.

No bulb with a rev L.  The 14 ga wire should do.

Those who tell you not to use speaker wire, don't buy that.

Engineer-Joe posted:

I wouldn't expect a light bulb to be needed here. 60' is not big. Something else is causing the poor signal. I would disconnect the track and try your wire to a test piece. Then check the signal strength.

 What is the power source?

I agree Joe, I'm just saying if you already have 100 feet or more  already on  the channel and a spur off the same channel, a magic bulb will probably increase the signal strength on the spur..   I wonder how CTR made out?

Gregg posted:

Engineer-Joe posted:

I wouldn't expect a light bulb to be needed here. 60' is not big. Something else is causing the poor signal. I would disconnect the track and try your wire to a test piece. Then check the signal strength.

 What is the power source?

I agree Joe, I'm just saying if you already have 100 feet or more  already on  the channel and a spur off the same channel, a magic bulb will probably increase the signal strength on the spur..   I wonder how CTR made out?

I meant no disrespect on the bulb, as I use stuff where I need it too. I just think this is probably a power drop problem. Sure a bigger gauge wire sounds like the right fix. I just have a feeling that the wire is not the issue. How can we fix a problem with 20% of the facts?

Here is where I stand.

I replaced the hookup wire with 14 gauge stranded wires--one red one black. I separated the two new wires physically from any other wires that were connected to the track on the DCS Fixed 2 Out. I separated the two new wires physically from each other. I connected the new wires directly to the TIU.

I get power to the track and I can start up and shut down under DCS. I can move the engine that I am using to test the signal and another engine that I also use to test the signal.

There is no signal. Not even a ONE. Message "Out of RF range." I get the same message when the remote is right next to the TIU.

I give up for now. I will probably have to move the TIU closer to the sidings. This will require a major rewiring job. 

 CTR, These facts are all nice for you to understand. They don't help explain what you have. If you want help here, you have to post what you have going on in full.

If you want to just make DCS sound difficult, then keep going. I would bet you are just killing the signal by an easy mistake.

You have explained that it's not the wire, so now look at the rest. If you give up, then why even post?

Engineer Joe,

Do you have any suggestions for simple mistakes that I might have overlooked?

I have been using DCS since it was first offered. I have installed more than a dozen PS2 upgrades.

I will solve this and post the results--but not today.

I have one suggestion... Did you try a bulb?  

How is the dcs signal on the other parts of the layout?

You may have to determine whether the channel is putting out a decent signal by using a small test track with one engine.   ..Should be able to get a perfect ten.  

I've also had dcs still 02 with over 8 scale miles of track and the layout runs really well. Yes we have an version L in there someplace but I can tell the difference from the L or original G. Both are working. Magic bulbs on the terminal boards.   You do know the odd TMCC engine can destroy the dcs signal?

do have the reds going to the center rail. Blacks to the outside.

Is it possible you may have a loose transceiver board in the remote or remote.?  (tether)

Some of the runs from the tiu to terminal strips are around 30 to 40 feet.

You need more data points...

First, I'd try repeating the separate wire test with a different TIU channel.

Next, I'd temporarily move the TIU closer to the siding a test with a short wire.

Thank you all for responses.

I am making progress-- but not finished yet.

I will post more details later. The light bulb at the TIU makes a hugh difference.

Problem solved.

Too much track on channel.

Changed variable channels to Fixed. Hooked power to variable channel 1 In. Divided track block. Connected one part of old block to Fixed output1 and the other part to Fixed output 1V FIXED.

Reading  Barry's book provided the answer.

The light bulb referred to above was not effective.

Reading  Barry's book provided the answer.

Of course it provided the answer - that's its job!  

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