So, I finally installed my Power Shield (PS4) from Tony’s Trains a few weeks ago. I installed the thing the afternoon of an operating session on the BS&T. I only had time to install two zones. But it was enough to make a difference during the session.
The feature that really bugs me about using Lenz DCC is the way it handles shorts. Having to press a button to recover from a short is a pain. What usually happens is that more than one person presses the button – the first guy turns the layout back on, the second guy turns it off again. Now you wonder if the short cleared up? So everyone fiddles with their locos and the whole process starts again with a couple guys pressing buttons. You’d think we’d learn to assign an “official button presser”. Nope.
Anyway, we only had a few shorts during the next session (there’s still a few turnouts in need of repair), but we didn’t have to press any buttons. The PS4 reset automatically after the short was cleared.
I installed the other two power zones on the afternoon of the last operating session. It seems an op session provides an incentive to get something done on the layout. It’s great! Now only 1/4 of the layout is affected when a short occurs.
Both yards at Bayside and Tidewater are on separate zones, as are Stevenville/Derwin’s Drop and Chappellton/Kenville.
The next project for the PS4 is to install short indicator lights around the layout. I think this is something that can be done, but not exactly sure yet how to do it.
I know, it’ll be even better once I get the source of the shorting problems repaired. That’s a project for another day(s).
Scott