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"Lift out bridge problem"

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  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: west of Portland Oreg.( the city of Roses
  • 599 posts
"Lift out bridge problem"
Posted by TrainsRMe1 on Thursday, February 15, 2024 8:55 PM

Hey All,                                                                                                                    I added my lift out bridge to my layout, and it looks good, but here's the trouble,the wiring, I ran my buss wiring underneath the bridge, copper strips on each end, of the bridge, connected to steel screws with the buss wires wrapped around the screws, connecting to two more screws in the benchwork on each side, that are connected to the main buss wire , feeders to the track on the bridge, but there's a short, I dont get it?? Angry Just fraustrated!!!!

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,774 posts
Posted by snjroy on Thursday, February 15, 2024 11:17 PM

I would go over the wiring again. Sounds like one of the wires got crossed somewhere.

Simon

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: west of Portland Oreg.( the city of Roses
  • 599 posts
Posted by TrainsRMe1 on Friday, February 16, 2024 10:35 AM

Hi snjroy,                                                                                                                I will check that out, I'm sure there's something so minute, that I can't see it right away, just fraustrating when you think that you build something you think is bulletproof, and yet there's a problem, 

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,774 posts
Posted by snjroy on Friday, February 16, 2024 11:13 AM

Things like that happen to me all the time. I hope you find the solution.

Simon

 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: west of Portland Oreg.( the city of Roses
  • 599 posts
Posted by TrainsRMe1 on Friday, February 16, 2024 2:40 PM

I will, even if I have to tear it apart, and rebuild it, !!!!

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, February 16, 2024 3:04 PM

Try to isolate the problem.  Is this a solid short, always there regardless of whether there's a train on the bridge?  Is the short there if the bridge is removed?  Does the track bus continue below the scenery to power the far side of the bridge?  By completing the bridge link to the other side, could you have created a reverse loop you didn't deal with?

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
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Posted by BATMAN on Friday, February 16, 2024 3:47 PM

Post a few photos and the problem may just present itself to one of us.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, February 16, 2024 6:13 PM

BATMAN

Post a few photos and the problem may just present itself to one of us. 

Agreed, a photo or two would help.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    October 2018
  • 117 posts
Posted by Bigjim7 on Sunday, February 25, 2024 7:53 AM

On my liftout I have no wires going to the bridge itself' Just feeder wires at both ends on the main shelve, works perfect. Why would you need wires going to the bridge. I just cut one tie back at each end of the bridge and slide the couplers back then lift out' when I put the bridge back in I just slide the couplers back to each end of the track on each side and that powers the bridge.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
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Posted by zstripe on Sunday, February 25, 2024 9:14 AM

 

TrainsR...,

What kind of screws are You using for Your connections??

And what do You mean by short? As in two opposite polarities touching? Or open, no power/elect. in circuit?

Sounds to Me that the screws You are using are very poor conductors for electrical connections and Your problem. Try using brass screws and Your problem should go away. Unless of course, You actually did cross the wires..............

Good Luck! Smile, Wink & Grin

Frank

 

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • 1,057 posts
Posted by wrench567 on Monday, February 26, 2024 2:21 PM

 Could it be possible that adding the bridge that you created an unforseen reverse loop? Just don't ask me why I would ask such a question.

   Pete.

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: west of Portland Oreg.( the city of Roses
  • 599 posts
Posted by TrainsRMe1 on Monday, February 26, 2024 6:25 PM

Hi Frank,                                                                                                                   I believe I found my problem, I would think it's a open circuit, meaning well,let me explain, I have two buss wires runing under the bridge itself,( red & black) the red buss wire seems to cause the open as what it seems to be opposite polarities Hmm I don't know????, so I diconnect it, and the connection is perfect,  I'm usuing brass screws ,they work well.  So the problem seems to be pointed at the red buss wire, which is a big mysterie to me, I'm thinking "well if the red buss is not connected, and I have power across my bridge ,than it's success!!! LOL                                                         CoolTrainsrme1

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: west of Portland Oreg.( the city of Roses
  • 599 posts
Posted by TrainsRMe1 on Monday, February 26, 2024 6:29 PM

Wrench567                                                                                                                 LOL you asked because your curious, I get itWink

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: west of Portland Oreg.( the city of Roses
  • 599 posts
Posted by TrainsRMe1 on Monday, February 26, 2024 6:31 PM

I would love to , but for the life of me, I always have problems downloading pics!!

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 7,486 posts
Posted by ndbprr on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 11:13 AM

Isolate one end of the contacts.  Get a Short you know which end it is.  Isolate the other end and repeat.  No short with either end the wires on one end are reversed from the other end.

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