So I've been struggling with this WTIU since I got it a few weeks ago. I'll admit I'm new to DCS. My only experience prior to the WTIU has been some experimenting with a DCS Explorer. I've been following some of the other issues and resolutions posted here, which has been helpful, but ultimately I can't figure this (hopefully last) issue out.
If I have absolutely nothing on the track other than my one or two PS3 engines, everything mostly works. I've rolled around the layout a few times and watched the signal either be 10 or "no response." Maybe the "no response" thing is related, maybe it is dirty track or pickups, either way, let's come back to that later if needed. When I put a Legacy engine on the track (one of the F7 units from a year or two ago), the signal strength goes from 10s down to 6/7ish. I put a superbass B unit from the same set, and now we're down to around 5. Continue this and eventually the DCS signal is essentially gone. No response or control of DCS engines whatsoever. I saw one mention of a Legacy B unit causing the WTIU to sense a "short" perhaps, and freak out a bit, but this seems a little less severe. I think this is limited to TMCC/Legacy devices, and perhaps specific ones, but I've also tried this with a bunch of lighted passenger cars on the track. They do not seem to have any impact, but more testing could be warranted.
When I wired the layout up a while back, I tried to lean toward a "DCS compatible" setup, but perhaps I'm off base there. I've got bus wiring for the ground and bus-like wiring for the hot. The center rail is insulated between each feeder wire, so that any one point on the center rail only has one path back to the hot WTIU terminal. To me this seems topologically the same as "Star" wiring. The ground rails are continuous all the way around and have the same number of feeders as the hot.
I had originally planned to hook the WTIU up in passive mode, but I've tried a few different configurations in an attempt to get things working, and currently I've just got a PH180 hooked up to Variable 1 in and track hooked to Variable 1 out. Base 3 signal wire is connected to the Var 1 out common. I've also tried everything through Fixed 1 with the same results. It seems like the same issue you might have in passive mode without a choke on the power supply, but should a Legacy engine be causing signal loss to this extreme?
I hope I've missed something obvious here. I'm happy to hear any thoughts, suggestions, questions, or criticisms you might have.
