I have a question that I hope someone can help me with. I am trying to wire a Y turnout on my HO layout. I used plastic rail joiners on the Y end of the switch and off of the mainline to basically deaden the one side of th Y. My problem is how do I wire this track to allow for operation? Whenever I try to wire it to another track the engine hits one of the switches and tries to go back the other way. I know I must be doing something wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
It sounds like you wired that segment backwards–try reversing the wires in that section and see if that improves the situation.
Try wiring the “Y” with a DPDT (double pole, double throw) switch. You will have to determine the polarity for each turnout and set the switch accordingly. It is the same as wiring a reverse loop. Most books on wiring will give you a diagram of how to do it.
Good Luck…Ken
A wye performs the same function as a return loop or “balloon track.” It sends the train back the way it came. So, it has to be wired the same way as a return loop. If you don’t already have a return loop you will need a reversing switch in the main feed from your throttle. Get a DPDT switch and connect the corner terminals diagonally opposite each other together. Connect the wires from your throttle to one end pair of terminals. Connect the wires to the layout to the centre pair of terminals. You can’t use the reversing switch in your throttle for this–it has to be an external switch.
Take another DPDT switch and wire the diagonally-opposite corner terminals in the same way. Connect wires from one pair of end terminals to the throttle output (before the first reversing switch, not after it). Cut gaps in both rails of the legs of the wye where they come off the mainline turnout or use insulated joiners. If the tail of the wye is a track leading somewhere you may want to cut gaps in the rails on the tail far enough down to accomodate your longest train. Now both legs and the tail of the wye are isolated and they will get their power from the centre terminals of this second switch. Feed the rails on the tail of the wye.
To use the wye, set the polarity of the wye with switch #2 to match the incoming train. Set the incoming mainline turnout for the wye and the tail turnout for that leg. Drive the train in until it clears the tail turnout and stop it. Flip the reversing switch on the throttle so you can back your train, flip switch #1 to reverse the polarity of the mainline, set the tail turnout for the other leg and the other mainline turnout for the other leg. Back out onto the mainline. Set both mainline turnouts for straight through, flip the throttle reversing switch for forward and drive off in the direction you came from.
Good luck.
…Bob
One question…if you’re running DCC, do you still have to wire up a DPDT switch, or should you just leave it uninsulated?
Yes. The locos will encounter the reversal and stop, thinking it is a short…cuz the controller will read it that way and break the circuit internally to protect the loco.
Gluefinger, what DCC system do you have ? You should be able to use an auto-reversing unit that senses the short at a reverse section an automatically swaps polarity. I have a Digitrax system and use an additional booster set up to do this at my turntable bridge. Turntable bridges, wyes and revers loops all need to be isolated and power feeds to them routed through a DPDT or one of the auto-reverse units.
May I suggest one of these: http://www.loystoys.com/digitrax/ar1.html I have 3 of them on my layout and they work! That is, you just run the train. That is, no switches to flip, no stalled trains, no problems. Well worth the bucks. [:D]
Tweet , I’m actually in the process of choosing a system (see http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40803 ), but thanks for heads up on that auto-reversing unit.
Sooline,
Are you using the wye as another turnout or as a reversing loop?? If you are using it as a loop then Seamonster’s answer applies, if you are using it instead of a turnout (say to lead to a siding) then probably you have reversed the polarity on your leads, that would be Jetrock’s answer. Check your trackplan.
Check Tonys Train XChange for an autoreverser. Got mine from them and it works flawlessly! I bought Tonys model.
I bought a digitrax AR1 and had nothing but trouble, couldn’t get the setting correct for different loco’s. trashed it, got a PS reverser from Tony’s train ex. Works flawlessly no clicking or fiddling with the settings.
Ken.