@gunrunnerjohn posted:Well, since one of my pet peeves is circuit protection that keeps hammering the short circuit, the TMCC Direct Lockon is a non-starter for me!
What I like about the TMCC Lockon is their breakers are much faster and sensitive than the brick breakers. (I have the bricks too). That "hammering mode" allows you to walk around the layout, systematically checking things without having to trundle back to the brick to reset the breaker each time. Where they are really useful is if you have a momentary short at one spot on the track: the TMCC Lockon breaker trips but then resets as the momentum of the train carries it past the short. You can then go to the general spot, watch the train, and then localize the problem without having to go back and reset the breaker each time. A side benefit is because its momentary, you don't put mechanical stress on the train (think couplers/derailment) as it comes to a dead stop.
By the way, that "hammering mode" has a duty cycle of about 1:2 (1 second on, 2 seconds off.) I tested the Direct Lockon, and found it trips at around 12-15 amps. So that's an average current of 5 amps. Any respectable O gauge layout ought to be able to take that. I would guess (but don't know) that the circuitry of the Lockon prevents inductive voltage spikes
Add to that, they will kill the DCS signal if you use them as documented directly to the track.
Not my experience at all. I have mine between the transformer and the TIU. Maybe I did not follow the instructions!
With my PH180 bricks and their excellent circuit brakers, I view the TMCC Lockon as an answer to a question that never should have been asked.
I also like the green/red pilot lights
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