Profiles: precision of function activation point

[Vittorio]

Hello.

I noticed a problem with the precision point of function activation in profiles.
Suppose we have FeedBack contacts 1, 2, 3 and a route 001>003
Suppose contact 2 is 100 cm long and there is a LokID 0 Profile 001>003 activating a function 80 cm after contact 2 is busy.
All works fine if the loco doesn't stop before activating the function.
But, if the loco stops say 70 cm after contact 2 is busy, for instance because the following contact 3 is busy, the function will be activated 80 cm after the new start (i.e. 70 cm after the expected point).

In general, if the delay from contact start is short, and therefore the loco has no possibility to stop before, the function activation point will be always accurate, but if you need to activate a function near the end of the contact, there is the possibility that the loco will stop and the delay counter resetted.
More the travel of the loco before stopping without function activation, more will be the error.

Anyone noticed this problem and found a workaround?

Thanks
Vittorio

[Markus Herzog]

Hi Vittorio,

to be honest I do not understand your problem.

If you created a proper route 1>3, then the route may only be executed when 2 and 3 are free (threw switching conditions) and then you can not get the situation, that locomotive stops while executing the route due to an occupied FB 3.

Regards
Markus

[Vittorio]

Hi Markus,
you're right, I tried to semplify too much the example, falling in error.
This is the correct example (hoping to be not wrong again...)

Data:
Contact 1: lenght x
Contact 2: where to activate the function, lenght 100 cm (for example)
Routes 1>2  and  2>3

Case 1:
Profile 2>3 + LokID 0 with function activation on contact 2 Busy and delay 80 cm
When the loco reaches contact 2 from a previous route, the delay starts and if the loco continue travelling, the function will be precisely activated.
But if contact 3 is busy the loco stops on contact 2 and, if the stop point is before 80 cm, the function is not activated and will be activated 80 cm after the new start.
A possible workaround could be to set the stop point after 80 cm, but not always possible or not predictable if using intelligent train number display.

Case 2:
Profile 1>2 + LokID 0 with function activation on contact 1 Busy and delay x+80 cm (following your hint, since activating function on contact 2, final contact of the route, will work only if and when the loco stops)
When the loco reaches contact 1 from a previous route, the delay starts and if the loco continue travelling, the function will be precisely activated.
But if contact 2 is busy the loco stops on contact 1 (so certainly before the activation point since the delay is after the end of contact 1) the function is not activated and will be activated x+80 cm after the new start.

I imagine, and will try, a workaround combining
Profile 1>2 + LokID 0 with function activation on contact 2 Busy, no delay
Profile 2>3 + LokID 0 with function activation on contact 2 Busy and delay 80 cm
thus
if the loco stops or doesn't stop on contact 1 then no matter
if the loco doesn't stop on contact 2 then the function will be precisely activated (profile 1 will not work since the loco doesn't stop)
if the loco stops on contact 2 then the function will be activated there (likely the error will be less than Case 2).

Drawback: if the function is a sound switch and contact 2 is in an hidden part of layout, having the loco still in an hidden part with sound activated is not the best solution.
So I was asking if users found other workarounds.

Kind regards
Vittorio

[Hwnel]

Hello Vittorio,

I think I understand your situation, you have a route 1>2 and another route 2>3.  If contact 3 is occupied then route 1>2 results in the loco stopping at contact 2.  This will result in the loco stopping at various locations in contact 2 causing the delay of 80cm to go from where the loco has stopped.  The solution is simple, you need to split contact 2 into 2 parts lets say 2a and 2b. Then you have routes 1 >2a and 2a>3 with the delay being in 2b.   This way if contact 3 is occupied 2a>3 will not be activated.  If it is not occupied the loco will continue to contact 3 and the delay at 2b will activate the function.

Hope this helps.

Aloha,

Elliott

[Vittorio]

Hi Elliot,
yes you understood the situation, and the solution you propose is similar to the answer Markus said to my initial question (wrongly exemplified).
If you have 3 contacts and the function activation is in the middle contact, it will work, since the loco will never stop on the middle contact.
But I will have to split (hardware) many contacts, so I was searching a solution for routes with only 2 contacts.
I'll have to choose between precision error or rework needed to apply the 3-contact solution.
Maybe I'll apply where worst situations happens.

Thank you for your help and clarifying example.

Vittorio