Testing signal at track level

[MichaelWD]

 Is there a way to get a reading of the signal strength on the track itself? I am looking into DCC and would like to test all my track before I invest in a DCC system. This is an old layout that has been in progress for a long time

Thanks   Mike Dickinson

[selector]

Yes, and you will need 25 cents deposit to get the use of the tester.  Go to your change drawer, get a quarter, and place the quarter every couple of feet along the tracks (across both rails) while a DCC signal bearing current is applied normally to the rails.  If the quarter causes a sufficient short that the detection circuitry shuts down the power to your track system, you have sufficient DCC signal to the rails.  Then, restore the equipment to the change drawer and be sure to claim your deposit.

If you want a more definitive indication, you'll need either a RAMPmeter or an oscilloscope.

-Crandell

[MichaelWD]

 I have a electrical meter that I used on DC to check signal strength. My layout is block control, so I still can run Dc locos. Most of the time the meter is reading around 12 volts. There are some spots that need work.

Thanks 

Mike Dickinson

[MisterBeasley]

You can read AC volts on the meter, too.  While it's not strictly accurate because the DCC signal is not strictly AC, it is sufficient for checking signal strength.  You should see 12-14 volts AC or so on a DCC track.

[locoi1sa]

 Mike

 Voltage and current is 2 different things. You can have 12 volts going through a 30 gauge wire but it will only handle a small amount of current. With DCC its always better to err to the safe side. Typically most DC power packs put out less than 3 amps with variable voltage. DCC boosters will put out up to 10 amps for large systems but typically only 5 amps. Thats enough power to melt ties, wires and could possibly cause fires if the booster does not trip fast enough. Let alone fry decoders and generally make operating hassles like packet loss and signal noise. The best fix is large buss wires and lots of feeders to the rails. In my opinion you cant have too many feeders but you can have too few. Even on good track and wiring I have had feeders heat and burn insulation. My modules have gone through a re wire where the longest feeders have been changed to a larger wire and if it was more than 6 inches long it was spliced to a larger size wire to the buss.

Crandell is correct with the quarter test. It is the most important thing to do on a DCC layout. The booster should trip faster than you can blink. If not there is a problem that needs correction. After that you can place circuit breakers or the tail light bulbs to handle the small intermittent shorts.
   Pete