[Doug]

I am opening up this topic as there is a demand for this information and there is some good information around at the moment. I am hoping that one or two members will add some good and useful information here in due course.

Please do not bring into this topic any arguments about the NMRA etc.

 

[Doug]

QUOTE (Mike Button @ 25 Jul 2007, 13:31) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Good choice of topic Doug, I'm fairly naive when it comes to the internal workings of the loco's I run, but as I understand it capacitors are used to stop interferance with other electrical systems, such as TV's, radio's etc. I'm running a DCC layout in my shed, another passion of mine is cricket, and listening to the test match on long wave requires delicate positioning of the radio so that the interferance from the layout is kept to a minimum.
From a purely selfish viewpoint so I can listen to the cricket whilst the trains go round, I would be in favour of capacitors being fitted, but have no idea of the impact upon a DCC system so will look forward to hearing other viewpoints.

You are in a perfect position to do some real world, live testing for us.

Set up your radio next to the track, run a DC loco that has it's capacitors fitted. clip the capacitors and run again. Report findings. Add a DCC decoder, run again and report findings.

I'll go and do the same, if I can get the spiders out of my radio. I'll tune into 198 LW and see if there is any cricket on.

 

[Doug]

I have just tested - with the long wave radio - the effect of removing the capacitor.

Note, I have never had interference problems before on TV and radios in the house due to the trains in the garage. I do listen to BBC on the Internet in the garage, so the long wave radio has been gathering dust over the years.

I placed the radio right next to the terminus at my turntable. I tuned in (BBC Radio 4) and got quite a good amount of static when I powered up the DCC system. I ran a Hornby steam loco that had a capacitor at the motor terminals on address #0. A little more static and whining on the radio. I snipped the capacitor and there was a considerable drop in static. I wonder why?

I added a Lenz Gold decoder and the static increased a bit. Not quite as much as without the decoder. Reconnecting the capacitor whilst the decoder was in place made no difference to the static.

I do have a video of this experiment. If the sound of the radio comes out OK, I'll post it here when I have some time to transfer it to the PC.

 

[Doug]

In my experiments, I found that the nosiest source was the reversing unit. When a loco straddled the track between on phase and the other it created an almighty din on the tranny. I suppose the electronics of the device are working overtime to keep the system in phase.

 

[Doug]

If Gary were here, he'd step in and say how this shows that all systems have their quirks...

Anyway, as he's not, so I'll say it: It is funny how all systems have their quirks...

I think at the end of the day, you do what works for you. I keep anything I snip of my locos. I used to have the capacitors sorted, but now they are jumbled up. I guess that it would be impossible to find the exact capacitor for each loco if I wanted to put them back without testing.

Has anyone ever experienced sufficient interference from a DCC powered layout to cause complaint from a neighbour or family member watching TV or listening to the radio?

 

[Doug]

Compliant, Conformant & Compatible. 3 words designed to confuse the best of us. What chance do we have when the spin-doctors use them sans-souci.

 

[Doug]

Generics/Sagentia (Cambridge) was involved in developing the Digital Scalextric technology http://www.sagentia.com/Resources/Case%20s...scalextric.aspx

I'm not sure if they were involved in the Digital train products.

If not them, who else?

 

[Doug]

That's interesting. It doesn't say if they were involved with the electronics though. It looks like they designed the cases. I've sent them an email asking for clarification on a few points. Lets see if they reply.

 

[Doug]

We are hearing nothing new. If this topic goes once more around in a loop, it will be closed.

 

[Doug]

And with that, we'll put it to bed.

I think that as much has been said as is possible to come up with. Thanks to all positive contibution