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Barry, if you out there, here's one for you--my layout is divided into two power districts, each powered by a handle on my Z4000.    I used the star wiring pattern and fed everything into four power blocks, two for each district.  I have good power on all of the layout, but it appears that I have the DCS signal on only one side (signal test indicates a 10).  When I run a train onto the other side of the layout, it will run but I have no control over it at all.  Is the problem my TIU?  Maybe I blew a fuse?  Btw, I installed in-line fuses between the transformer and the TIU.  Thanks!

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 Jim, Are you using all 4 channels of the TIU set to fixed ?  Are you running wires from 1 DCS channel and then splitting it again to your powered blocks ? By powered blocks I'm guessing you mean terminal strips.   If you have 4 powered blocks. You are better off using all 4 outputs. One feeds each block. Jumper the inputs of the power going into the TIU. One handle side would power both a Fixed and variable channel. Set the Variable to Fixed.

 When doing your signal test. When you leave the block that is showing 10's. What  do you have for a signal when entering the block you lose control in ?   Are there any TMCC engines or passenger cars parked in the blocks where the problem is ?  The fact that you switched TIU outputs and the problem is still there. Would seem to rule out the TIU.

Hi Dave, good to hear from you.  No other cars or locos on that side of the layout. Just 2 powered blocks, one for each handle.  No signal at all on one side of the layout.  I think my next move will be to ensure that the two sides of the layout are indeed isolated from each other, tear apart the terminal blocks and reconnect each feed one at a time and see if that will solve the problem.

Not a TIU fuse problem since you have power to the track.  Still not clear how the TIU is wired into this.

The side that works is fed from which channel of the TIU?  The side that does not work is fed from which channel of the TIU?

Since one loop works, the easy way to test the TIU channels is to feed the working loop from each channel of the TIU one at a time remembering to keep the TIU powered either through Fixed 1 or Aux power when your testing Fix2 and VAR 1&2.  If all channels work on the one side, then the issue is your wiring to the other side?  Red to center rail?  G

Jim S posted:

Hi Dave, good to hear from you.  No other cars or locos on that side of the layout. Just 2 powered blocks, one for each handle.  No signal at all on one side of the layout.  I think my next move will be to ensure that the two sides of the layout are indeed isolated from each other, tear apart the terminal blocks and reconnect each feed one at a time and see if that will solve the problem.

Why not lower the handle for the good signal power district and remove the power. Now, there should only be the trouble signal power district with power. That should tell you if the power districts are isolated and limit the troubleshooting area.

How many feet of track are we talking about?

Did you change anything recently ? 

did the problem just begin?

Since there is power in the no signal district, you only need to troubleshoot the hot wire for the signal loss. There wouldn't be voltage if it was a common wire problem.

Are you using the MTH terminal boards for distribution?

Jim S posted:

Just went and swapped the wiring from one side of the layout to the other.  No change.  Maybe the next thing is to disconnect all the wiring from the defective side of the layout from the terminal block and retire it.  Don't what else to try.

Did you swap all the wires from one output to the other output (say Var1 and Var2 since I'm not sure what you are using) and then test?

Jim S posted:

Hi Dave, good to hear from you.  No other cars or locos on that side of the layout. Just 2 powered blocks, one for each handle.  No signal at all on one side of the layout.  I think my next move will be to ensure that the two sides of the layout are indeed isolated from each other, tear apart the terminal blocks and reconnect each feed one at a time and see if that will solve the problem.

If you turn one handle to zero does the entire layout still have power?

Which inputs/outputs on the TIU are you using?

Is the TIU powered thru Fixed1 or the Aux port?

If you swapped the outputs does the side that did work now not have DCS?

A picture and a diagram would help.

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