help w/ uncouplers and blocks

[HopperSJ]

OK, I hope I can explain this well enough.

I am setting up a conventional FASTRACK layout with blocks. Right now I am trying to establish my sidings as separate electrical blocks. I have cut through each of the rails at the start of my sidings to create the block. Each siding also has an uncoupler installed after the block break. The uncouplers are set up with auxiliary power so they have their own transformer and their own wiring. I have wired them correctly according to directions and they work great. However, the auxiliary wiring seems to overide my electrical blocks on the outer/ground rails. When I disconnect the uncoupler from power, the block works (according to a meter). When I connect the uncoupler power it overides my block. It appears as though the "aux ground" wire on the uncoupler is directly connected to the outer rails. Therefore, my ground power in my block traveld through the aux ground power line to all my uncouplers effectively bypassing the electrical blocks on all my outer rails. The block would still be effective on the inner rail which would work EXCEPT I am planning on using multiple controlers to opperate multiple trains on different blocks. I am pretty sure that the controlers will not be happy to have their ground wires (outer rails) crossing over each other.

Has anyone encountered this? and what have you done to overcome it?

Thanks!

[lionelsoni]

Except for control rails, one usually connects all the outside rails together and to the common return of the transformer(s).

[HopperSJ]

Thanks lionelsoni. I know I'll get slammed for this...but...I'm using CW-80's. I have a few of them from various sets and have actually been quite happy with them. However, from what I've been told , you cannot hook up a common return with multiple CW-80's. Right?

I have read in some posts that you can use CW-80's in the way you describe if you reverse the connects using the red on the outer rails and the black on the inner rails, but most people have not recommended this.

Anyway, I am following the hookup diagram I found in a particular book (don't know the name) that spoke of hooking blocks up this way using DPDT switches and each block being completely independant of the others. I know this isn't the most common way of doing it, but it seemed like it would work well for what I was trying to accomplish in my overall layout plan.

[phillyreading]

Have you tried using a transformer with two or more track outputs? This may help do what you are looking to do, using more than one transformer on sections of track with common outside rails can be tricky at times. MRC Corporation or MTH (Z4000) or Lionel (275 watt postwar ZW, or current ZW) make multi-output transformers.
Lee F.

[HopperSJ]

Actually, looking back over some of my CW-80 stuff, perhaps I was mistaken and can share a common return. Would I only need a SPDT (center off) switch then controling just the center rail?

[BR60103]

I would only cut the center rail and use SPST switches for isolating sidings. Unless you're separating a whole yard to be switched separately, you should probably wire the isolated tracks to the tracks that feed them. You may then wire those tracks through a switch to select various transformers.
Most wiring assumes that all the outer rails are connected except where insulated rails are called for.

[lionelsoni]

I've never even seen the infamous CW-80; but my understanding is that they built it so that the common has to go to the center rail--if you want the whistle and bell controls to work right with modern trains. However, if you can stand having the buttons mislabeled, or relabeling them, or rewiring them, there should be no reason why you can't connect the common to the outside rails, nor why you can't connect the commons of multiple transformers together.

You're on the right track (so to speak) in controlling the blocks through SPDT switches instead of deliberately running between blocks controlled by separate transformers. However, it might happen accidentally; so it would be good to have the transformers in phase to minimize the fireworks.

[HopperSJ]

Hey, thanks again all.

I went ahead and did some testing today and think I'm all set. I now have my sidings all operating with either transformer using SPDT (center off) switches. The CW80's are paying nice together and are happy with the common being the outer rails and the block break on the inner rail. I haven't finished the whole layout yet, but so far so good!![:D]