DCC Digitrax says to avoid "loops" in the wiring to prevent problems.

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m a novice to DCC. Has anybody experienced any problems with a certain wiring layout for your DCC? Anything to avoid, do or not do?
Also, I have difficulty encoding some of my engines. Any secrets out there?

2

The loops that Digitrax is talking about only concerns the Loconet. Don’t connect the ends of the Loconet together.

I use the star method and just leave the last UP5 panel as the last one in the string.

BOB H - Clarion, PA

3

How big is your layout? You may need only one or two sets of wires from the DCC unit to the track for power, except for a separate programming track.

The programming problem could be caused by the decoders you are using, or the programming mode you’re trying to use. Without knowing what type of decoder you are having problems with, Digitrax owners may not be able to offer much help.

4

I use Digitrax, and just ‘Daisy Chain’ the ‘LocoNet’ cables. The only connection between my two boosters is the ‘chassis ground’.

Jim Bernier

5

encoding problem?

which engine and/or decoder, and which DCC system?

what’s the problem that you’re having?

Jim

6

I have yet to finish my loconet, and don’t have the manual at hand. Don’t run the cable from the last UP3/5 back to the DCS 100?

7

Do not run the loconet cable from the the last UP 3/5 on any main length or branch of the loconet back to the DCS 100 so as to create a continuous loop. Each UP should have only one path between the command station/booster and it.

A continuous loop would create two paths between the UP and the command station/booster, with the possibilty, depending on the length of the two paths, of a pulse travelling down one path to arrive at a different time from the arrival time of the same pulse travelling down the second path, enough to confuse the system.

[:)]

8

Thanks for the info. That would have been fun to track down.[^]