Photos: https://imgur.com/a/mdKZY46
Hi everyone! Long time reader here, but first time poster. I'm in the process of building a fairly simple 5x10 HO scale layout. I'm currently in the track laying phase. I just installed a simple 45º crossing from Atlas as shown in the photos. After completing the first loop when I hook up just my standard track power to the rails (non-DCC) I notice one of the terminals will spark when it hits the rail and the power LED will dim on the power supply, indicating a short. The train will actuall run VERY slowly even on max speed, but eventually will stall out.
It looks like the crossing has all the appropriate gappings with the plastic raills between all the live rails so I'm assuming I don't need any kind of equipment to shift the polarity?
The only thing that I can figure could be contributing to it is the curved turnout I have (as shown in the photos) but, if it is, I have no idea why. I'm pretty new to all this so I'm sure there's something obvious causing the problem.
Any help would be so GREATLY appreciated!
Without seeing the whole picture, my guess is that you have a loop of some fashion that closes on one of the four 'sides' of the crossing, and when your train tries to cross, it creates a short through itself due to conflicting phase. Otherwise, the crossing is defective...somehow...don't know how that could possibly be unless a fragment of metal is bridging the rails below all that plastic.
Yes, if this is a track loop problem, we would need to see a more complete picture or diagram to find it.
I actually have come across a bad Atlas crossing that caused a short. I replaced it with a Walthers crossing and that solved the problem.
Can you disconnect the other ends of the crossing and repeat the experiment?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Alright so see below:
Track as is right now: https://imgur.com/a/PfI3kYh
Track when complete: https://imgur.com/a/MfKgRuv
So the first image is how much track I currently have down - the second image of course is how it will be when finished. So as it stands, I technically only have 3 sides currently connected!
One more thing I should add now...if I disconnect the following track from the crossing - the short will go away!
Diagram: https://imgur.com/a/cFP77rr
Its because youve created a reversing section with the Y. Wire it as you would any other reversing section and the problem with be fixed. If straight dc then a polarity changing toggle switch is the answer. If dcc an auto reverser is your go to item.
Looks like the "finished" plan will have TWO separate reversing loops...
Yup, it's that big X in the middle, with the crossing and all, that makes the loops...two of them. One 'teardrop' with tails 180 degrees opposite each other. The crossing is fine.
Simple fix, although it will cost you some: isolate the entire X, right up to the four accessing turnouts. Leave gaps at the frog and stock rails. Then, connect a reverser or DPDT to the entire X and let the reverser control the phase/polarity. Note that I'm assuming you're never going to have to trains entering the X at the same time. If you are, you'll need to reverse each loop separately.
Diagram: https://imgur.com/a/EKdOkVD
Okay, so if I wanted to be able to have a train on both sections at the same time, I would need to insulate the track with the red marks and the track with the blue marks, and then install a dcc autoreverser at each section - correct?
Correct. It would be simplest to have the practice of only one train occupying the entire X at a time, and use the one reverser to correct a phase phalt wherever it takes place, on either of the four entrances/exits.
Awesome, that's what I'll do, I greatly appreciate everyone's help so much!!