I don’t use DCC on my new layout, so I have a block system set up. However, I have a problem with my Broadway Limited Engines with sound. When they go from a track using one power supply to one using a different power supply, they stall. My P2K engines without sound don’t have this problem. Both rails are insulated on the connected track. Anyone have any fixes?
Thanks,
Eric
My BLI doesn’t do that.
MRC power packs, what kind are you using?
With rotary cab assignment switches, one power pack can “follow” a loco from block to block.
If one power pack drives bopth sides of track around insulated joiners, you won’t see this problem.
In my case, just using MRC power avoids this problem without gang switches or BLI stalling.
The underlying premise of block (or cab) control is to let the same power pack be connected to the same train (and no others) where ever it goes on the layout. Not having to switch controllers resolves all sorts of issues at the block boundaries - no need for voltage matching between blocks, no fault currents, no shorts from opposite direction toggles, etc. Having one controller per operating train also usually reduces the number of controllers needed.
The sound electronics in the BLI are reacting to the funky things that happen when your locomotive momentarily spans the block boundary, and is receiving power from both controllers/power supplies.
When operating with block control, both the block the train is in and the block it is about to enter should be set to the same controller. This is why a minimum of 4 blocks are needed for 2 trains to follow each other around a loop.
Hope this helps and makes sense
Fred W
[#ditto] Having one power supply per block is not only hard on the equipment, it is hard on the power supplies too.