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There is a 12 ft spur on my layout and one engine ( an SP SD45-2, 20-2880-1) is unable to detect the watchdog or the DCS signal for the last 7 or 8 ft, even when parked directly over the power/signal feed at the end of the spur.

I've tried several other PS2 engines on this spot and they seem to have no trouble detecting the DCS signal.

I tried connecting a light bulb to the feeder wires at this point but no improvement.

Does this indicate a problem with the PS2 board in the engine? If so, can it be fixed?

I'd appreciate any help or advice - thanks.

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hi I would put the engine in question on that section of track and due a signal test with the remote and just see what the signal is with that engine, then put another engine on the same exact location which runs ok and due another track signal test with the remote. I would bet the problem engine will have a much lower track signal test!!

then if that occurs and you get a low signal with the engine in question take the cover off and inspect wiring for pinched wires or the harness is to close to the traozoid coil if I spelled it right  , GGG pointed it out on another train signal problem like yours!

Alan

britrailer posted:

Did a signal test with several engines and, even directly over the power/DCS feed, I only got 1.

Now I have to figure out how to get 9s and 10s!

As BOBBYD pointed out .. anything else from the same TIU output have issues?  and where did you get the siding feed?

Seems the magic light bulb isn't doing much    . Some TMCC engines will destroy the DCS signal.... Any TMCC engines  parked  on that track

 

There are 2 parallel spurs - each spur has an individual feed from a barrier strip connected about 6" from the bumpers. The paralell spur also shows a 1 signal.

The same barrier strip provides feeds from the TIU channel to the the through track from which the spurs are switched as well as other spurs which give 8s, 9s and 10s.

I haven't found any DCS problems elsewhere on tracks fed from the same TIU channel

Track is Atlas and switches are Ross.

The only locomotive close to the area is a Proto2 engine on the parallel spur.

I might try disconnecting the spur feed on the terminal block and attaching it to the main track before the spur  switch at the switch point end.   Easy to try if you have a couple of alligator clips. It's either going to drag down  the dcs signal on the main track or perhaps fix your problem. . Ya never know.     Any spare tiu channels not in use?

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