Track layout testing vs Rrampmeter

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Litninbolt

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Is the rrampmeter one of the best ways to test track around a large outdoor layout, or are their other options For DCC?
 
Did you mean ammeter? You'll need to check you have volts in the right places, an ammeter will measure the load on the system when in use
 
Are you familiar with voltage drop testing? It is used a lot in auto repair circles to chase down wiring issues. All you need is a straight DC source to put across the rails, maybe the power supply for your central station (24v DC?), a couple of 12V automotive bulbs in series on alligator clips, or a single bulb if using a 12V supply and your VOM. Connect the bulb(s) across the rails at various locations and check the actual voltage across to the bulbs. Start at your feed connections to give you an idea of what a good (hopefully) voltage reading looks like. Keep a record of your readings and you should be able to track ;)down where any problems such as bad joints exist. Bulbs are convenient but any load that will draw a few amps at your test voltage will do. Make sure your central station and boosters are disconnected when you do this testing otherwise they WILL BE DESTROYED!
 
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A RRampmeter is
Litninbolt said:
Is the rrampmeter one of the best ways to test track around a large outdoor layout, or are their other options For DCC?
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IMO a RRampmeter is a great tool for any DC or DDC system as it conveniently combines a bunch of functions which would otherwise require several different devices. I have one which I bought initially for use with my DC trains and it is now starting to be equally useful with DCC.
 
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Litninbolt said:
Is the rrampmeter one of the best ways to test track around a large outdoor layout, or are their other options For DCC?
Click to expand...
I use the Massoth 1200Z DCC and it has a reading for Current on its LCD display.

I'm not familiar with other manufacturers kit.

For fault finding, I use a conventional Digital Multi-meter, but PhilP's light bulb method works just as well....
 
A multi-meter that correctly reads DCC volts and amps....

Question is about DCC... ordinary meter not accurate.

As per debugging, a proper meter AND proper debugging techniques are both needed.

The major thing people do wrong is not test under load.

I have a page dedicated to techniques on finding and debugging problems with track power, too much to retype here.

Electrical troubleshooting

Greg Elmassian web site on large scale trains and garden railroads, cigars, and computers
elmassian.com elmassian.com

Greg
 
Remember that when a closed loop has a power loss, there are 2 problems to fix!! Power travels from both directions around the loop.
 
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