I have several reverse loops on my HO layout. Now that I have DCC, I want to correct the polarity problems they cause to avoid shorts. Tony’s Train Exchange claims they have the best system over MRC, Digitrax, and Lenz. My DCC system is the Digitrax Zephyr.
Does anyone have Tony’s “PSReverse” system on their layout? Do you recommend one of the other brands over Tony’s? I feel certain I would rather have an automatic module instead of using a DPDT switch.
Thanks, JRP
Tony’s newest version of the PS-Rev is called the PSX-AR. It costs more, but in my opinion, it is worth every cent. I installed mine in about 5 minutes (including taking a nuisance call), and it has not failed me yet. Going on six months.
I second Selectors comments the new PSX-AR will reverse the polarity act as a circuit breaker and control a stall type switch machine (and a stationary decoder) and it’s a block detector!!!
So you can fully automate a loop.
I’ve yet to install mine, but looks awesome.
Ken.
A built in stationary decoder sounds awesome…
FYI, I use the MRC520. I got it for about 20 bucks online. It works perfect and hasn’t failed me in over two years.
I’ve got 2 of the older PS-REV units. They are reversers and circuit breakers. They’re easy to install and work perfectly. They’ve been in service for over a year.
Some of the other auto-reversers use relays to flip the polarity of the track sections. The Tony’s unit is all solid-state. This provides a much faster transition, and in general solid-state electronics will be more reliable than relays, in the long run. You probably won’t notice the timing difference, but the rest of your electronics will appreciate it.
Tony’s - no question
I have one of the PS Rev units from Toy’s and it is everything they claim. They have been replaced by a newer model. I just ordered one and it arrived yesterday. I haven;t installed it yet but it has even more features than the original. A little pricey but you can’t go wrong with them.
Joey,
I think you’ve read more into what was said about the PS-Rev. I have a PS-Rev. They work great, just like Crandell said. They are all electronic. This provides a quicker response time for changing polarity when coming out of a loop.
The PS-Rev does not have a stationary decoder built-in to it. I don’t believe the PSX-AR does either, but I could be wrong since I haven’t purchased one. The PS- Rev will control a stall type switch machine (i.e. Tortoise) so that the turnout is thrown in the proper direction to allow a train to exit a reverse loop. The PS-Rev will sense the polarity change and, if needed, change the direction of the turnout out of the loop. This allows for complete automation of the reverse loop - polarity will be changed and the turnout thrown, if necessary. I don’t use this function currently since the loop it controls is for a modular group and I did not install a swith machine on the turnout.
Oh yea, make sure you wire up the PS-Rev correctly. There’s an track bus input and track bus output. Found out the hard way what happens when you connect it backwards. The loop won;t reset when there is a short on the other part of the layout and simply shuts down the loop.
jktrains
Heres’s the specs from Tony’s on the PSX-AR http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/powershield_x.htm
Ken.
I use Digitrax. There auto reversing I think it is a PS42 works great. I don’t have any problems. I have a total of 7 reversing sections and use two of them and I don’t have any problems. The trains go right through them as if there was no reversing section. Just be sure to wire it correctly.
Craig
JK,
Thanks for clarifying… being born into MRRing in the DCC era, I assumed throwing a turnout electronically = using a stationary decoder. That is certainly not the case as I myself have analog toggles. Brainlock.