[Jozasa]

I have one Ecos Detector and one S88 DR4088CS from Digirails as occupancy detectors. Both work, but in the blocks connected to the S88 the loco slows down a bit when passing. Just a bit, but noticeable.
In the blocks connected to the Ecos Detector locos keep their speed as in normal track.
Has anyone noticed this with S88 in the Ecos? I don't think it is normal....

 

[Nigel2001]

I don't use either device. BUT, there are broadly two ways of doing current-based occupancy detection.

1 - current transformer coils. These are fairly expensive to manufacture, but don't drop any voltage to the track.

2 - diode voltage drop detection. These are cheaper to manufacture, but there is a small drop in voltage through the circuit.

It sounds like the S88 detector is using diode drop, and dropping enough voltage that your locos notice it. One fix is to put diodes in the wiring to non-detection zones to achieve identical voltage drop (typically require four diodes, arranged in a string of two back-to-back pairs).

regards

- Nigel