Fluctuating voltage

I would start by checking all your connections in that circuit starting at the transformer.  And perhaps take out the condenser and see if that changes anything.  Are you operating through the fixed or variable tiu channels?  Try swapping channels on the tiu as well.

@pennsyfan posted:

...snip... The other day I ran all post war and that flickering caused the tender whistle to blow constantly; mimicking the flickering. I decided to do something about it. I swapped the leads on the Z4000. The problem moved to the other side of the Z. ...snip...

When you swapped leads and the problem moved with them, the problem is probably in the Z4000.

One other thought; check the connections of the leads at the other end.

@Dougklink posted:

I would start by checking all your connections in that circuit starting at the transformer.  And perhaps take out the condenser and see if that changes anything.  Are you operating through the fixed or variable tiu channels?  Try swapping channels on the you as well.

I’ll have to get back to you on that. I have to

get down on the floor to check. Not an easy task.

And if you are using banana plugs on any of these connections I'd check those very carefully too.

What ^^Doug said, if the sockets for the banana plugs are loose they can heat up and melt, not good.  IMO, the "chattering" I hear in your video suggests that you're losing either the hot feed or the ground to the section of track where the UP Alco and cars are parked.  Probably the hot side, because there are two grounds.  Double-check any wires fastened to terminal blocks, soldered connections, etc.  Perhaps add another soldered connection to the problem section, in common with what you currently have.  (Hopefully that won't confuse the DCS signal too much! )

You could try a different transformer if you have one, and as suggested, temporarily remove the condenser and anything else between the transformer and the track, to eliminate those things as the cause of the drop-out.  Gradually add back to your present configuration, making note of when the problem returns.

@Ted S posted:

What ^^Doug said, if the sockets for the banana plugs are loose they can heat up and melt, not good.  IMO, the "chattering" I hear in your video suggests that you're losing either the hot feed or the ground to the section of track where the UP Alco and cars are parked.  Probably the hot side, because there are two grounds.  Double-check any wires fastened to terminal blocks, soldered connections, etc.  Perhaps add another soldered connection to the problem section, in common with what you currently have.  (Hopefully that won't confuse the DCS signal too much! )

You could try a different transformer if you have one, and as suggested, temporarily remove the condenser and anything else between the transformer and the track, to eliminate those things as the cause of the drop-out.  Gradually add back to your present configuration, making note of when the problem returns.

Thanks Ted I’m going to check all what Doug and you wrote. Just to clarify it’s not that one section it’s all of loop 2.

@PRRMP54 posted:

When you swapped leads and the problem moved with them, the problem is probably in the Z4000.

One other thought; check the connections of the leads at the other end.

Dave, Thanks for your input; but when I moved the lead from track 2 off control 2 to control 1, the problem moved to control 1. Therefore the internal Z is not the problem.

@Dougklink

@Ted S

@prrmp54

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...c/177821131001074318

I removed the banana plug and checked the tightness on control 2.  When I plugged it back in the problem seems to be gone. I was a able get to the TIU. I am using Fixed voltage. The device intended to increase remote connectivity on #2 was missing the sleeve cover. I couldn’t be sure if the pigtails were touching. Apparently the maker depended on the sleeve for insulation. I decided to cut it out. I ran out of time I was just testing with the one passenger car. The car wasn’t flickering and the meters on the Z were no longer jumping around. I have to get back up there and run some trains.

Thanks for your input and help!ll