I've just been re-working my blocks with only one lead per block. I've tried checking the track signal with my MTH f-7's and I get a bad signal over every switch. If I check the signal with my SD-50 everything is 10's. Most of my blocks end at switches. Any thoughts. Should I be concerned?
David
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David,
Should I be concerned?
Not really.
Switch tracks are notorious for showing low DCS signal strength when driven over.
A better reading will be obtained if you do the signal strength test while the engine is parked, stationary on the switch.
This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!
I did just buy your 2nd edition. Are older ps2 or ps2 upgrades more suseptible to this?
David,
Are older ps2 or ps2 upgrades more suseptible to this?
No, not particularly.
David,
Follow Barry's advise as you build and use the 12 track discipline as you build, testing your track signal as you construct your layout. When I used 711/072 swiches thru out my FasTrack layout I would place a lighted lock on in front of many of my switches to assure the signal strength was kept at all 10's. I learned later to just ignore the readings around the switches in most cases, and make sure the complete layout over all, ran with as close to 10's as I could get. In this way everything work out perfectly, and the trains ran like glass on my FasTrack.
PCRR/Dave
The DSS rule applies, for DCS signal strength - Don't Sweat the Switches!
The layout you see below had 18 sets of 711/072 switches on 4 different levels the signal strength because I used Barry's building advise and the 12 track discipline rule ran with 10's thru out.
David,
Are older ps2 or ps2 upgrades more suseptible to this?
No, not particularly.
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