First layout - struggling with control system choice

Interesting the way they explained the rail - paper - wheel conduit as a form of a capacitor. It sounds like the USP just served the purpose of providing constant motive power, while the DCC commands continued to make it through the paper sufficiently.

I think DCC is pretty well established with a proven-enough track record (I just can't stop) at this point. I don't have any concerns about it being able to reliably do what it's designed to do.

 

Yes the Lenz system uses a capacitive sensing of the signal, so it actually works.

There are downsides to this detection system as well, so it balances out.

The stay alive capacitor powers the micro and motors during the power interruption.

The capacitive pickup concept is actually pretty darn simple, you use it every day on the touchpads on various electronic goods.

I won't dwell on the negatives of this, but I will comment that if my track was bad for 12" I should get another hobby ha ha!

Greg

p.s. I've been around command control since AsTrac, look at your 1963 MR.

 

I apologize and stand corrected on "paper-prof" DCC [apparently capacitive-coupling of a wire-signal]!
Bob