I just have a hard time dealing with this. I realize not everyone is an electronics engineer, that’s why I try to help people. But I think this is the first time we had someone effectively hook the DC and AC outputs of theior power pack together, and install an on/off switch that shorted their power supply. Basic switches and power - I’ve been playing with that stuff since I was about 5. At 6 or 7, I went down in the mornign before school to see how far my Dad got with setting up the layout that year, ran a train, it dies halfway around. I did some investigating, found the plastic joiners, found some wire, crawled under the layout, and attached it to the terminal track on the back of the layout and bingo, I had trains going all the way around. He was pretty surprised when he got home to find me runnign trains all around the layout he hadn’t quite finished wiring.
Just google for some basic circuit tips, don;t really even have to buy the Atlas book, or any other. Here’s one:
UP, Thank you for the kind words. Several other forum members, minus the OP, have also complimented me about the diagram. Perhaps it may help others at some point.
And Randy you have shown the patience of a Saint.
At work, when technical assistance cannot solve a problem, they will escalate calls to me. From conversations with the auto technicians I have come to the following conclusions.
You have basically three groups of technicians.
The “A” techs you rarely hear from. When you do it is usually because something is not covered in the service manual. Or a bulletin has not been issued. These guys are always eager for additional training, read all repair procedures and will work a problem until it is solved. They work well with the “B” techs.
The “B” techs are usually up and coming. They typically need a bit of guidance but will always follow instructions. They appreciate experienced help and learn from it. I enjoy helping them because I know it is not wasted effort.
Sadly we have the “C” techs. These guys rarely read anything. They will jump to step 10 because they think the other 9 steps in a chart a
I only give credit when advice I am given actually works.
The advice and the crude drawing worked and works well. I just finished wiring it together correctly. Thank you for the advice, I do appreciate it.
I am interested in learning, anything else stated to the contrary is absolutely incorrect. If I didn’t want to learn I wouldn’t be asking questions.
When I posted this it was late last night I had just gotten done wiring the way it was right before I asked. I posted this thread and went to sleep.
Earlier today I was posting and responding from work, during break/lunch using my smart phone. I did not come home right away to try the advice given and wanted to be absolutely sure I had a clear idea on what I needed to do, before I continued. Perhaps I need to post my timeline and schedule so you know when I will be able to attempt the advice given.
I must say I am a lot more used to AC wiring not DC. I rewired the 110 outlets and switches in my entire house almost 15 years ago and over the years have installed new ceiling fans where none existed before and other hard wired AC powered devices and never had a problem and I am not an electrician. DC wiring is something I am getting used to. Right now I am not really liking Thomas Edison, but Tesla, he’s the man!
I have not purchased the book on DC wiring yet yet because frankly I cannot afford it right now. The materials I just finished installing I purchased over a month ago, when I could afford them at the time.
I am starting to get the feeling this may be the wrong forum to continue to seek out help from, by that I mean the MR forums. I say this because I am feeling like some are coming across as snobs. Am I wrong in this assessment? I am honestly beginning to feel like I should simply stop asking questions here and either wing it, keep trying until I figure out what will work or find another source.
If you wired light switches and outlets int eh house, this should be a snap. At this point, with just the motor in the loco and maybe the lights, there’s absolutely no difference in wiring AC vs DC. It comes in to play when you start dealing with components that have polarities, like LEDs,
I don;t know of any time with wall siteches and outlets where you run two wires to the same terminal. Even passthroughs on outlets, there’s two screws on each side, one set for the hot and one set for neutral. In fact, the pair of screws is connected together (unless you break the tab) in the exact same manner as the two screws across from one another in a terminal strip. The only thing missing in low voltage model railroad wiring is the extra ground wire, think of the two terminals on the power pack as hot and neutral. Putting a wall switch in - the neutral passes through, the two terminals on the switfch get onnected to a cut in the hot. There’s no difference here adding an on/off switch to control a siding.
No one is expecting constant updates during the day. The only reason I even posted anything during the day today was because I was working from home. Normally I can check in in the morning before work, and then after I get home I log back in.
I’ll agree with Tesla vs Edison, Edison mainly improved other inventions and then aggressively marketed them. Tesla was a true genius.
As for books, you don;t really need books. There are so many videos, pictures, and text online you can browse for free that will have useful things to learn.
I am going to side with SUX on this one. I was surprised to wake up this morning and read all of the disparaging comments, That is very unlike us, especially on the Electronics and DCC forum.
Someone mentioned the student who cranked, “just give me the answers, I’m not interested in learning”. That is not SUX. There are a few forum members who just want everyone else to do their work. But, in every instance, SUX has done the work himself, then asked questions when things went wrong.