Auto Reverse with DCC on Atlas HO-29 layout

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hey, I’m trying to wire my layout using DCC and have a couple questions in regards to using an auto reversing module.

The layout wiring seems a bit confusing to me since it has the 4 legs into the yard but the directions only say you need one twin to reverse. now i want to automate this with the digitrax AR1. how do i go about doing this?

do i just connect the 4 wires from the AR1 to the mainline and the yard? do i feed the buses into the AR1? is the connection from the AR1 for the yard a bus and feeders come off of that or do i wire my layout as i would in the diagrams (included below) and then just add the AR1 onto the layout.

sorry for the questions, just confused as to how to set this up and the instructions seem to assume i know what im doing…which i clearly do not :slight_smile:

2

Hi Apple,

I’m sorry that I can’t make out the reversing loop from the diagrams. [:I] This DC stuff is too complicated for me.[:p]

Normally you would run two wires from your AR1 to the bus or mainline (same thing) and run the other two from the AR1 to your reversing loop. It’s that simple.[^]

3

can it really be that simple?

so, i can just run a bus, connect all the feeders and have the whole thing powered, and then just add the AR1 on and all will be fine?

can i run the same bus to the mainline and the yard or do i need 2 seperate busses or should u run the bus off of the AR1 for the yard?

4

Apple,

It is simple.

If the yard is the “reversing section” then it will be powered by the AR1 which will be connected to the bus. In other words only the AR1 powers the reversing section. If you need multiple feeders to the yard then you can put in a separate bus that is powered by the AR1 and run feeders to the yard tracks from that bus.

Pretty simple anyway. [:)]

5

ah, ok. that’s what i was trying to figure out.

thanks.

so, just clip the ar1 onto the bus and run another bus with feeders for the reversing section from the ar1

:slight_smile:

can i easily eliminate the atlas twin from that diagram then since im using the auto reverse module? and if so, how so.

6

Although I have no knowledge of auto reversing units and stuff like that nevertheless, I wanted to ask you if you could email me, or post here some pictures of your layout if you can. If you can’t I understand, but i just wanted to see what someone could do with that layout.I have that layout book and I have always wanted to build the Central Midland.

Thanks and good luck with the wiring!

7

Apple,

Sounds like you’ve got it.

To eliminate the twin just look at your Commander manual (P. 5) and wire the Atlas Controller as shown.

I happen to use the Commander also and like it very much (I don’t have sound yet.[:p])

8

ah, hm, doesnt look like my last post got posted.

ill post some photos for you hopefully later tonight. got to run around and get some things for the layout first.

i actually use the digitrax zephyr and not the commander… so, we’ll see how it goes. so, considering that, how could i eliminate the twin. sorry for all the questions. usually things begin to “click” with me but for some reason I just cant get a grasp on this stuff

9

Apple,

I reckon that the wiring would be the same for the Zephyr or the Commander.

10

how’s this?

11

Apple,

I think that looks fine. [:)] Give it a try.

Sometimes the AR1 need some adjusting per the instruction sheet but hopefully it will work as is.

12

awesome, went at it all night last night and got the mainline up just using a DC pack to test. have a lot of kinks to work out with the track it seems, sigh…but it WORKS and i can finally do a loop with a loco.

progress. from here, the wiring actually makes sense and seems easy and painless. the track issues…errr…guess it goes with the hobby and carelessness.

13

just wanted to post and say I havent forgotten to post the photos. I dropped my digital camera in seawater when I flipped kayaking taking a picture (yes, i know, im an idiot)

so, i have to wait till my brother comes back to use his. next week.

14

Good, now I know there are other idiots out there lik me.[;)] [#wstupid] Thanks for taking the time for the pictures.