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Hi...I know it has been a while since this topic was discussed, but, I need some help. 

When I first received John's Track Signal booster, I discovered I had an issue with my Legacy base not giving enough power (other people had this issue.)  I the legacy base back to Lionel and just got the base back which is now repaired.  

I am still getting a red light on the track signal booster.  I decided to disconnect everything and see if there a cross signal somewhere.  I did get a green light when everything was disconnected from the beginning, but notice that my DZ 2001 Data Wire Driver's red light started to glow brighter with each DZ 2500 switch machine I add to the daisy chain via the Data wire. 

I should also mention that have the driver connected to Dale's "Serial Booster", otherwise the data driver does not get enough juice from the Legacy base. 

Now, when I unplug John's track signal booster, the red light on the data driver goes out and only lights when a command is given...which is the way I think it is supposed to "behave".   

I am starting to get frustrated and am wondering if the track signal booster was a wise purchase for my layout or not.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Greg

Greg, the amplitude adjustment mod may be of help here.  It allows adjustment of the gain from around 3:1 stock to around 1:1 at the low end.  This still keeps the low impedance drive but cuts the amplitude of the signal to about what the command base outputs. 

DM TMCC Buffer Gain Adjustment Modification.pdf

This may solve the issues you're seeing.  Jon Z. noted that the LCS Sensor tracks have a problem if they get too much signal, could be the DZ switch machines have the same issue.

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Last edited by gunrunnerjohn
leapinlarry posted:

I anyone reading this thread wants one of these TM Buffers, I have a brand new one Available..My Layout does not require it. See my email in my profile. It’s a great help on larger layouts.  

I was generally ok without it, but I like keeping an eye on my Legacy Base with the green LED.

Another happy owner chiming in.  I spent a little longer than Jack assembling my kit but it went extremely smoothly and worked as it should first try.  With highball signals of green and blue there was no more need for a ground plain I had previously hooked up to catenary.  I dare not comment on readings lest my novice grade talents show.  More importantly, the kit was a joy to assemble, a marked improvement on my 300 ft. layout and was worth ten times the price for anyone serious about flawless CC operation.  Best money I ever spent on the pike.  Thanks Dale and John.

Bruce

That isn't something that anyone has reported, but anything's possible.   You might consider the amplitude adjustment mod, that allows you to dial back the amplitude of the track signal while keeping the low impedance drive that helps drive high capacitance.

It's a pretty simple install, I can send you the parts for a self-install, or you can ship the buffer back to me for it to be installed.  The mod allows a gain adjustment from around 1.1:1 to the stock 3:1 amplitude.

Here's the mod in pictures.

mceclip2mceclip0mceclip1mceclip3

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Images (4)
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John,   I would prefer to send to you for the mods. Would you please email me your mailing address?

Thank you

Tom, I get the static sound on both of my Berks, may be more pronounced because of the ERR Fat Boy speakers.  I put my GP7 on and can hear static in the back round, harder to pick out because of the diesel sound.  If I would not have gotten these hearing aids I, likely,  would not have heard it.

Ray

Sorry Rod, I packed two of them in a hurry and didn't stick the instructions in.  However, I can fix that right here.

Here's the kit documentation as well as the operational instructions for the finished product.

DM TMCC Buffer Kit Documentation.pdf

DM TMCC Buffer Documentation.pdf

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No I didn't buy a buffer john, I no longer can function well enough to operate the layout very well. Dale did me several favors and taught me a lot so I wanted to send a contribution to ACS along with yours. You have done a great service for OGR Members and I commend you for the hard work and time required. I will send you a check as soon as I have your Zip to go along with the address mentioned above.

Thanks

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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