stevecamden Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I have a strange observation. I have separated my programming track from the main track with a track switch on/off ( its actually a Peco track switch but I promise the rest of the track is hornby)Strange thing is - when I measure the voltage anywhere on the track its 15.5v but on the programming track with the switch set off ( ie isolated) it measures 0.3v. The programming track isn't connected to power so its coming from the main track - but how? I know you could say - 'so what', but when I connect up the programming track to the elite I wonder if this 'leakage' will interfere with the programming.Any ideas...Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poliss Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Have you set your meter to zero? Try measuring on a piece of track not connected to anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashbang Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 HiYou cannot measure DCC voltages accurately with a standard digital multimeter. You need a True Reading DVM volt meter, an RRAmp meter or an Oscilloscope.So unless you have one of these your 0.3v (which is actually nothing anyway) is just stray voltage from the programming output appearing on the reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecamden Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Thanks for your replies - Actually on a piece of track isolated with IRJ's it reads zero. But if its nothing to worry about then I shall note it as a strange observation.S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brightstar Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I am not sure but if I remember correctly, the switch on the track only isolates one track and not both. So you would et a bit of feedback from the not isolated track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecamden Posted September 1, 2011 Author Share Posted September 1, 2011 That's right - only one track is isolated by the switch. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashbang Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 HiI personally would use two Insulated Rail Joiners (IRJs) opposite to each other. Then use a Double Pole Double Throw (Change-over) switch to select Programming track or normal DCC. Wired as per shown in this link. http://www.brian-lambert.co.uk/DCC.htm#Programming%20TrackWhich one to use depends on the DCC system, if it has or hasn't a totally separate Programming output. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecamden Posted September 1, 2011 Author Share Posted September 1, 2011 Thanks Flashbang - that link makes sense to me and will make sure that I don't get any interference.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.