RailPro > RailPro Specific Help & Discussion
Low voltage warning
roofintrash:
I'm having low track voltage warning issues with all of my brand new Athearn locos. 14 gauge buss with 22 gauge feeders to every piece of track. Multimeter is reading 14.55 volts while getting the warning on the controller. The wheels and track are spotless and I'm getting flustered. I never get the warning on my Katos or even on converted old spectrums. Am I worrying about nothing or is something else going on?
William Brillinger:
I'm assuming you are using the multi meter right at the location the loco is at?
I wonder what the measured voltage would be on the feeds inside the loco?
Is the warning only happening while the locos are moving, or is it all the time?
How is the module wired into the loco?
Alan:
I too sometimes get the low voltage warning even when the track voltage is verified as correct. My power supply is a switch mode regulated 15v unit. Bus wiring is 12 AWG, feeders are 24 AWG, every rail has a feeder. Voltage measurement at the resistor dampening load point furthest from the power supply indicates 14.8v with the system fully loaded at 7A (using car headlights).
At one time I installed a small digital voltmeter directly on an Atlas FM H16-44 locomotive so I could monitor the voltage at the module connection. The low voltage warning would appear sporadically with the voltmeter indicating 15 +-0.5 volts. The operation of the locomotive doesn't appear to be any different when the warning occurs. I have noticed the warning is more likely to occur when I first start a locomotive in motion. Grew tired of trying to track down the problem and since it has no noticeable effect on loco operation I have since just disregarded it. It doesn't seem to matter whether there is a single loco or multi-loco consist.
The meter I used on the loco: http://www.buyincoins.com/item/16267.html#.Vnq3EhUwhjF
If someone knows the remedy I am all ears.
roofintrash:
It only happens when the locos are moving. Most are just plugged into the stock circuit board but I did hardwire one and no change. Ive tested the track where and when it's happening and it reads fine. I may have to purchase one of those mini meters to check the loco while running. The layout is divided into 2 power districts,one lower staging and one for the main and yard. Each section has it's own PWR 56. There is a feeder to every piece of track. I'm baffled and feel like I'm just missing something stupid.
William Brillinger:
did you "calibrate" each of the locos?
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