New layout with inner and outer loop. Why doesn't it work?

[027_Daniel]

See the below image for the layout.

It has a simple outer loop on a 4x8 with an inner winding route. With the inner loop connected, it is shorted somehow and I'm not sure why. I have cleared the track of any metal so no pins are causing it. Is it a simple issue of this type of configuration working?

I tried isolating the inner loop and giving it its own lock on but no joy. I even completely disconnected the inner loop from the switches and the outer loop works fine. Once I connect a lock on to the inner loop (still disconnected at the switches) it acts like a short.

All of my lock-ons are wired correctly.

 

Thank you,

[AudioChris]

I would take apart your inner loop and check every piece of track for continuity between the center rail and the outer rails. Most likely a piece of insulation has worn away on one section.

[ADCX Rob]

A  lockon alone should not make a difference, it is what wires are on that lockon.

Leave the wires off the lockon - does the train run through that path OK?

As you do not have your track wiring color coded, you must be sure you have all "1"'s connected to "1"'s, and "2"'s connected to "2"'s - if you mix them up you will get a short.

 

[Taranwanderer]

You could also have a short in one of those operating track sections, or in one of the controllers connected to them.  Disconnect the controllers one at a time, and if that doesn't correct your short, replace each operating piece one at a time with a normal piece of track and see if that works.  Good luck!

[027_Daniel]

Fixed and Audio Chris was pretty close though I don't know exactly what caused it. I did a continuity check and the center rail was shorted to the outer rails. I could not find any issues with the insulation pieces so I took it apart one piece at a time checking the assembly with each piece removed. After taking off about 5 pieces, the short went away. I put everything back and checked for shorts as I went. Everything went back together fine.

Not sure what it was....

[phillyreading]

A freind of mine that I helped a few months ago overtightened his track at the crossties, thereby creating a short because the screw pulled the center rail out and touched the crossties, in otherwords a direct short. It was hard to find at first, but then I found three other tracks the same way, because the short refused to go away.

Lee F.