Bachmann EZ Track Nickel track and getting a Local Booster Track Fault as soon as I install the #6 Remote Crossover Turnout on my Zephry Express 3.0 Digitrax regardless if I have 1 or multiple terminal feeders plug in. I kept my inner and outer loop consistent but still getting the fault (Rail A on right side for both loops). If I disconnect the turnout then I don’t get the fault even with an incomplete circle but once I connect the turnout even with an incomplete circle I will get the fault. FYI, the frogs have been disconnected. Is my turnout just faulty or am I missing the obvious? I’ve read other forums but seems like the fix was the rails weren’t consistent (Rail A not on same side for both loops). Thoughts?
Not familiar with that style of track, but my suggestion would be with your power pack unhooked. Take some readings with an ohm meter with the turnout connected and disconnected. This may reveal whats going on.
I can’t help you with your issue. However, the Bachmann forum has a discussion on the topic.
See https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php?action=search2.
I think you have to join that forum to see complete answers. Probably free.
Search for crossover shorts.
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My readings are roughly 3 watts around the track between the track fault beeps but once I check the crossover turnout it reads either a 0 or 1. When I disconnect the opposite ends of the crossover, the readings are the same. When I fully remove the crossover turnout and install multiple turnouts then I don’t receive the fault and throughout the track receives 3-4 watts (see new picture). When running a locomotive then I receive higher watts. The reason I wanted to install the crossover turnout was because my running stock would constantly derail on the turnouts. Not sure why since it would happen on different turnouts and different stock each time. Thx for the idea of looking into the wattage though.
Did you mean volts or ohms?
Ope, my bad. I wasn’t using the digital multimeter on the correct setting. When checking the ohms, the crossover turnout reads 0 when attached or unattached to the loop. The loop reads 53 until the crossover is attached. Once attached, it reads 0. I tried attaching the crossover to one end while the other three ends unattached and again the reading is 0.
Hmmm that 53 reading seems unusual though i would assume different multi meters may report things in a slightly different manner. Particularly the non conductance reading.
Mine reports that as a 1 off to the far left of my display. From my experience i take these readings with my meter set to the lowest scale possible. As i have found for simple conductivity checking some times i get erroneous readings probably because of a poor connection when i try on a higher scale.
There is a bit of a glare but the second picture reading is 00.4 on the lowest setting of my meter. Perhaps the 53 was just a poor connection to the track showing a bit of resistance. (Assuming there were no locomotives on the layout while you tested.) Maybe try again if the first set of readings were taken at a higher scale.
As i was saying i am not family with the Bachman stuff. Or your particular multi meter and how it reports a non conductive state. But if all your readings are 0 in each loop and the crossover when disconnected they should be the same connected.
Is it possible the problem is in the power supply?
Sometimes having some weights in the cars helps with the derailments.
I’m not sure what the 53 means. You should be reading infinite.
The “0” means that there is a short. If you’re seeing “0” on the crossover, connected or not connected to the remaining track, the means to me that there is a x-over issue.
Is this a manually or electrically operated x-over? If electrically operated, I would make sure that none of the wires are touching anything. If nothing is touching, I’d be of the opinion that the x-over is the problem.
Oh, I’m assuming that you are reading from track A to B.