Well we thought the problem with track shorting was solved, but tonight it started doing the same thing. So I will state the complete facts again with further detail.

Our layout consists of two separate blocks. We have 2 DCS100 connected, one is used as a controller, the other as a booster. Track leads go to 2 PM42 which drives different sections of trackage. When our main DCS100 was connected by itself, no short appeared when engines crossed over cut between the blocks. Upon installation of second DCS100 (both have separate power supplies), removed jumper wires between blocks and made sure track was cut between blocks. Yes we have reversed track leads on the second unit, still shorted. Only item that we wondered about was, Could using a DCS100 instead of DB150 be causing the problem?

-- Larry W Smith (lsmith7364@aol.com), December 14, 2004

Answers

Larry,

I use 2 DCS100's. Have you done anything special to configure the second DCS100 as a booster? If you haven't, that is part of your problem. You must set one of them to be booster-only mode.

Make sure at most one of your DCS100's is set to autoreverse. Or you could have neither set to autoreverse. Just don't have both set to autoreverse.

-- Allan Gartner (wire4dcc_admin@comcast.net), December 14, 2004.

I just added how to make a Chief into a booster on my website.

http://www.wiringfordcc.com/booster.htm#a14

Note: One you turn a Chief into a booster, you will need to set it to reversing or not. That information is also on my website.

-- Allan Gartner (wire4dcc_admin@comcast.net), December 17, 2004.

Larry,

You will have to set at least of your booster or command station to non-reversing. NEVER have two adjacent boosters (or command station) set to auto reversing. I suggest that unless you don't need a reversing booster that you set it to non reversing.

When you are through, you may have to switch the leads from one of your boosters as Don and I had suggested earlier.

-- Allan Gartner (wire4dcc_admin@comcast.net), December 18, 2004.

Ok We have confirmed that nothing special was done to configure the second DCS100 to just be a booster. After going thru the DCC book, all I can find is how Digitrax says to only use a DB150. So how do we hook up a DCS100 to be used as a booster?

-- Larry W Smith (lsmith7364@aol.com), December 17, 2004.

After rechecking and changing the op switches. Everything is working with no shorts and confused engines. Didn't even have to change the lead wires. Thanks to all who answered. Trains are running again.

-- Larry W Smith (lsmith7364@aol.com), December 19, 2004.