Track electrical issue

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Finally finished my lay-out( 6 months in the making I travel allot) and when I connected the power supply the locomotives did not run. I had EZ-track which I used (took the bed off) and flex track. All connections were soldered with electrical solder. I soldered the wire connections directly to the track then I tried a track which is in the layout with the plug connector too, both did not work. Trying to trouble shoot. I tried all 3 EZ command controls and the only thing that was different was all three power lights were blinking fast?Thank never happened before. manual did not help either.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Paul

2

We need to see a track plan in order to know what might be wrong.

If your track is nothing but a single line running in a loop, there’s no reason it should be shorted provided you have only one set of power leads. If you have more than one set, you may have crossed the wires.

Any crossovers from one line to another through turnouts? A reverse loop? Anything but a single loop of track could have introduced an electrical short.

3

My track plan is a 12 x 4 oval with (2) remote turn outs dissecting the middle with a bridge and the other (2 remotes) are 90 degrees going into a rail yard and coal plant both ending with bumpers.

Just got back into trains after 25 years. stupid question my remote turnouts are not wired yet, this should not matter?

Thanks

4

Based on your “dissecting” verbiage, I’d say you have created a reversing section.

Try disconnecting the dissecting track and see if your problem goes away.

Mark.

5

Be sure any track end bumper that is all metal (such as Tomar) is isolated with insulated rail joiners on bot rails. These are direct shorts if connected with metal joiners to both rails.

6

Does your dissecting oval look something like this?

7

yes it does

8

Then, you have a reversing section, a section of track where reverse polarities meet causing a short.

You need to gap this section of track at both ends, and reverse polarities with some form of switch.

Rich

9

Thanks Rich

10

Paul,

Are you operating in DC or DCC?

Rich

11

Rich,

DCC ,however I tried both DCC & DC locomotives that I have and both power packs. No power. I originally started with EZ-Track and the remote turnouts w/o the wiring which was great in tight spots. bad thing was I could not can the radius on the track I required for the layout so I took apart the EZ-Track,or least the ones that did not break added Flex track and started new. I took a magnifying glass and check every connector, solder joint, vacuum any debris…

Now I wish just stayed with the EZ-track it worked!. Received tips on how to weather the bed and to build -up the area around the track to give it the right proportions with the scenery & buildings. More money wasted.

any ideas?

Thanks again

Paul

12

The reverse loop is the issue. Not the track.

You need to gap the ends of the reversing section, and put in a switch or an autoreverser to make it work. It’s not hard once you understand it.

13

Paul, if your track plan matches that track diagram that I drew, then you have created a reverse loop section of track. You need to gap the ends of the divergent track on each of those two turnouts. Then, install an auto-reverser or a DPDT switch that you can throw manually in order to match polarities inside that reversing section of track.

Give us a holler if that doesn’t make sense to you.

Rich

14

Hi Rich,

Just realized this thanks for your help.

Paul

15

If the light is blinking fast there is a short circuit somewhere. Do you have a wye or a reverse loop?

16

Hi Rich,

I attached a auto-reverse switch where I get most of my stuff

Automatic Reversing Unit - HO-Scale

Product Number: PRL525

Manufacturer: Peerless Industries

17

Rich

Part II



- Product Information



Product Features



Automatically reverses train direction without the need for track switches, optical sensors, special lights or other devices. Operates on any 12V DC power supply. Unit is less track. Can be used for automatic single or multitrack point-to-point operation, a wall or bookcase mini-layout or display track for your favorite locomotive or a test or break-in track. Can be used to automatically operate a multitrack logging
18




Hi Rich Part3

This Selector is an Electrical Control Device Designed for Layouts of Any Scale by Atlas Model Railroad.

Product Features

  • This control provides the simplest way to wire and control tricky reverse loops, wyes, and turntables.
  • It has reversing switches for two mainline cabs plus a switch, selectable by either cab, for directional control on reversing
  • loops, and so on.
  • Cab Switches (Red–for Cab A and Cab B).
  • Cab Selector Switch (Green).
  • Direction Switch (Gray).
  • Couples with #215 Selector (atl215)–not provided in package.
  • Instructions provided on package.

Product Specifications

  • Atlas Product Number: 220
  • Thanks

Paul

19

Paul,

If you are operating your layout in DCC, and if you have a reverse loop on your layout, you should consider a DCC-powered auto-reverse unit such as the Digitrax AR-1 or the DCC Specialties PSX-AR.

I am not familiar with the units that you just specified, but they may be intended for DC layouts.

Rich

20

Paul,

Rich,is correct,what you describe,from Atlas is for DC,common rail wiring,with their components,common rail wiring will not work on a DCC layout…If you have a DCC layout,the two AR’s he suggested,are perfect,for your application…

Cheers,

Frank