The Atlas schematic for the 220 is not accurate as I previously noted. In particular, the circuit to the “common rail” output from the same polarity input is not shown. To understand my remark you need to understand that the two reversing switches in the 220 just always be set to center off when ganging the 220’s. Terminal C is then not connected in any 220 in the gang except the last one. Describe the line on the schematic that shows how the common rail power flows from either Cab A or B input terminal through the 220 to power the input terminal on the ganged 220.
The schematic has not been changed but the 220 design has. Only the control rail terminal now carries through by external connectors. Correction, the original 220 had four inputs which become two outputs. The schematic and the Atlas Wiring book ignore this change except for a written note. That written note does not appear in the Atlas Wiring book. Older 220 have to be used only downstream from the newer design of 220. Perhaps the original 220 could not be ganged.
The schematic does show that when the C circuit did flow through the ganged 220’s that the powerpack connection diagram ls incorrect. The inner of the two input terminals flow though the C common rail connection according to the schematics. That is correct as you will find if you check with a multimeter. The Atlas figure shows the powerpack is connected in series rather than in parallel to the 220. I know that is incorrect because I followed the figure and not the schematic. If you wire the powerpack according to the figure instead of according to the schematic you will get a dead short.
I know that the information I posted is correct because I ganged three 220’s to feed three “reversing sections” and checked polarity using a multimeter.
Incidentally, it is actually confusing to refer to reversing sections and “main lines” as if these are different electrically. It makes more sense
Please post a corrected schematic drawing comparing it to the one that Greg showed, and also please include sketches outlining the 220 internal wiring design changes. That way I can understand your explanation.
Kevin he is not going to post any pictures he refuses to do so
And I totallly agree with CSX Robert Sheldon and Kevin
I have been in this since about 1970 worked at real RR for 30 plus yrs in signal dept as lead signalman foreman and tech So as far as I can see the diag for the 220 is accurate I don’t know what the expert on all things relative to MR thinks is wrong with it but after all he has only been in this for the last two years
He also goes on about his layout (no picts) and a club (name ???)
I never used any of the atlas controllers pcs thought I had some in a junk box can’t find them I use just their switches over 100 on my layout still have a few of the old brass kits new in box kinda wonder if they changed the brass formula at some point cause those kits are still shiney no corrosion at all
Conceptually this is bad way to view this, because, based on my 50 years of experience, it actually confuses people more.
Yes, you are also reversing the main, but, per my earlier comments, DC operation is much easier for operators to understand if reversing switches are orientated “east - west” relative to physical movement.
Every layout is a little different and may require different solutions, but the ability of an operator to look at a reversing switch and KNOW which way the train will move is a huge advantage.
Since reverse loops typically change that flow, they need a different convention, hence clockwise, counter clockwise.
See, this is why I’m not in these conversations any more.
If the original poster would like some help, he is welcome to send me a PM.
At least two copies of the 2017 edition of this #12 are currently up on eBay for close to the listed price. I’m reasonably sure ‘used’ copies will show up on Amazon or some of the ‘discount’ book sites from time to time.
While you can change a train’s travel direction with the direction switch, it can travel anywhere on the mainlines and will never change the direction it is physically pointing relative to the track. When the train traverses a reversing section, it can change the direction it is physically pointing, how is labeling that a reversing section confusing?
When you add a reversing section, either section of the layout could be considered a reversing section relative to the other (section ‘A’ reverses trains for section ‘B’ or section B reverses trains for section ‘A’), but most layouts have a section that makes sense to have as the “mainline” with any reversing sections reversing trains relative to that mainline.
So which way is “clockwise” on a single track connecting two continuous running loops? And if the polarity of the exit from one loop is opposite to the polarity at the entry to the other loop which is the “correct” direction?
If you use Atlas 220 controllers there is no “main line” to have default polarity. If you use fully isolated blocks with independent polarity control (DPDT to each block) for each block which block is the main line?
I fully recognize the dyed in the wool views of many posters to this forum.
Not many fresh “faces” though, perhaps there’s a cause and effect connection there.
Two parallel tracks should have the same “east - west” orientation and not require a reversing section.
The real problem here is the rest of the short sighted thinking about cab control and how to connect the track sections to the throttles. But this is all I have time for.
Did you actually read his post or just skim it? He talked about clockwise and counter clockwise specifically in reference to loops, as well as pointing out that “every layout is a little different and may require different solutions.”
The “mainline” when using Atlas 220 controllers is whatever is connected to the right-hand side outputs of the controller.
You generally don’t have independent direction control for each block (for each block on the mainline the direction is controlled by the cab currently selected, not an independent direction switch for that block), you have direction control for each cab and each reversing section, but again “every layout is a little different and may require different solutions.”
Thanks very much everyone for your input re my wiring question! Much appreciated.
The first response by jjdamnit addressed my main issue re the Atlas 215 selectors. I want to take the approach of wiring each block as a stand alone to make trouble shooting easier. Because something always goes wrong with wiring, right? Or is it just me? I couldn’t visualize using the terminal strips for the second leg (that’s the correct term, right?) for all the blocks but now it seems simple.
I got the Atlas selectors as I thought they were a reliable means for blocking but it sounds like there are some better alternatives. Since I bought them I am going to go with them for now but wil
Another option would be to use terminal strips (A.K.A. terminal blocks or barrier strips). These come in “sizes” from 2- to 10-terminals.
To energize the entire strip you can fabricate jumpers from spade connectors and short pieces of wire or buy jumpers made of solid metal to connect the terminals.
From there it’s a matter of running wires from the lugs (screw terminals) on the terminal strip to the track section.
Before converting my 4’ X 8’ pike to DCC I had 16 control blocks (4 atlas controllers) with only a single “negative” common.
Because of the size of my pike I found 20 AWG wire sufficient for the power feeds for both the common and blocks.
For the turnouts I used a separate power source connected to two Capacitive Discharge Units through Atlas switch control boxes (#56). But that’s another post.
Keep the questions coming, update us on your progress, and…
Hope this helps.
Hello All,
Thanks very much everyone for your input re my wiring question! Much appreciated.
The first response by jjdamnit addressed my main issue re the Atlas 215 selectors. I want to take the approach of wiring each block as a stand alone to make trouble shooting easier. Because something always goes wrong with wiring, right? Or is it just me? I couldn’t visualize using the terminal strips for the second leg (that’s the correct term, right?) for all the blocks but n
Another option would be to use terminal strips (A.K.A. terminal blocks or barrier strips). These come in “sizes” from 2- to 10-terminals.
To energize the entire strip you can fabricate jumpers from spade connectors and short pieces of wire or buy jumpers made of solid metal to connect the terminals.
From there it’s a matter of running wires from the lugs (screw terminals) on the terminal strip to the track section.
Before converting my 4’ X 8’ pike to DCC I had 16 control blocks (4 atlas controllers) with only a single “negative” common.
Because of the size of my pike I found 20 AWG wire sufficient for the power feeds for both the common and blocks.
For the turnouts I used a separate power source connected to two Capacitive Discharge Units through Atlas switch control boxes (#56). But that’s another post.
Keep the questions coming, update us on your progress, and…
Hope this helps.
Hello All,
Thanks very much everyone for your input re my wiring question! Much appreciated.
The first response by jjdamnit addressed my main issue re the Atlas 215 selectors. I want to take the approach of wiring each block as a stand alone to make trouble shooting easier. Because something always goes wrong with wiring, right? Or is it ju
There actually is a minor error in the schematic, but it’s pretty obvious how it’s supposed to be. In the cab B reversing switch, one of the connections to the C circuit is missing.
The circuit to the common rail output from the “same polarity input” is not shown because the common rail output is not necessarily wired to the same polarity and is not wired directly to the cab inputs. The common goes after the cab direction switch because which polarity of each input it goes to depends on the direction switch for that input.
When the cab direction switches are in the center position, cab A and B inputs are connected directly to cab A and B outputs, just as the schematic shows. There is no connection to common because you cannot pick it up until after the direction switches in the last 220, before that you don’t know which side of each cab circuit is common.
No they don’t. The common rail connection goes to the two cab direction switches and whether or not it is connected to an input and if so which one is determnined by the direction switches.
I couldn’t visualize using the terminal strips for the second leg (that’s the correct term, right?) for all the blocks but now it seems simple.
