Using a PM-42 for a reverse area, not a loop but a section of track that will be out of phase from one direction (reverse).
This section is isolated (both rails) and is 16 ft long. The question is that sub district 1 is at the west end and sub district 15 is at the east end. Will the pm-42 work or does the section need to be in the same sub district power grid?
Asked my Digitrax guy and he said WHAT? lost him. These are NOT on the same BOOSTER. DB-150 is feeding District 1 and another DB-150 is feeding District 15.
I can run a feeder to the far end of District 1 and keep it on the same booster if required. Putting this wiring in on Sunday 2/5/06.
Take Care
(2nd mortgage required to build this one!!)
Why is this one section of track out of phase? I guess I’m with the Digitrax guy - HUH? Reverse loops, wyes, turntables - those I can see why they are out of phase sometimes, but a straight section of track connecting to straight sections of track at either end?
Anyway, a reversing section will handle that just fine. Don’t forget to run a heavy gauge ground wire from all the booster GND terminals and the GBND terminals on the PM42’s. This is the actual reference used to detect the out of phase conditions,a nd if you don;t run a heavy wire like this, the tiny little wires in the Loconet phone wire are used and in the case of a reversing section will need to carry full track current load which is Not A Good Thing. If you search for GROUND on the Digitrax group you will find many discussions of the subject. Pay particular attention to Don Crano’s posts as he actually knows what he’s talking about.
–Randy
Sorry for the missing information, Randy, One end is a loop that puts it out of phase and the other is the tail of a wye that COULD put it out of phase. I am using #10awg Solid for the ground using #12awg strandrd for the bus. If you are east bounds and go thru the wye SAME PHASE, west bound to the wye OUT OF PHASE since the normal is EAST. I used the “TRUCK” method to test when the RED and BLACK crossed. (Painted one side of an old truck RED and set it on the track, pushed it around to MAKE SURE when the RED AND BLACK tried to meet).
Is Tony’s stuff better than Digitrax? This needing another power pack evertime is getting old.
I need (5) pm-42, PLUS (3) AR-1 for turn tabels.
Thanks Randy.
I dunno about better - lots of people have PM42’s and they work just fine. I just prefer a solid sate approach if possible. Plus the PowerShields are available in 1, 2, and 4 section units, So I don’t have to buy a 4-section unit just because I need 1 more power district. I don’t need power reporting over the Loconet, at least not from the breaker unit - I will probably be using *** Bronson’s Tower Controller for detectiona nd signalling, and his detection boards have a DCC power sense on them, so there will be a way to detect a short and set all approaching signals to red - or make all signals in the affected section flash wierd patterns!
The advantage of TOny’s reverser is that it is also a breaker - with the PM42 you have to feed a reverse section from a different one to have both auto-reverse and short protection.
–Randy
Thanks Randy, I am oredring those on Monday as soon as I verify the design with my helper. (Make sure wife has GOOD Valentines day) she is the helper.