switch wiring problem

[Anonymous]

Help!!

I just purchased (4) switches, powered, Bachmann E-Z track, (2) left hand and (2) right hand. I have one of each hooked up so far. While on the straight through mode, the lh switch works fine, if I switch it to run my train off to the siding, everything on the track stops. It does not do this with the rh switch around the bend. If I let it set there for a couple of seconds, you can hear the circuit protection pop in the controller, let it sit for a couple of minutes and it resets. I've swapped out one switch for the other switch that I just bought and it does the same thing. I pulled off the back side, but I don't know what the heck I'm looking at. I am assuming that when I switch it, its causing a short.

What am I missing?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Jeff

[ARTHILL]

Is that one of those where you have to put a gap on all the frog rails to prevent a short coming aroung the track from the other side?

[SpaceMouse]

Somewhere you are creating a short.

Disconnect the turnout from the track and try it again.

There are 3 wires coming from the turnout. It even has a plug. Try reversing the plug. It should not make a difference.

Does the one turnout create a reverse loop?

[Anonymous]

When you say disconnect it from the track, I haven't powered the switch yet. The track is powered from the connecting track. I have not connected it into any other tracks to create a revese loop, its just a siding, it has one piece of track on the branch.

What is this "frog"?. Why wouldn't the unit come preset already. Why are my rh switches fine on the other side?

Jeff

[dgwinup]

Disconnect the power to the tracks (unplug the power pack). Use a multi-meter to do a continuity check on the rails. Using the straight rail as common, test each of the other rails. Those that register on the meter are electrically connected. I think you may find that one of your opposite rails is shorting out to the common rail. The turnout may be defective.

Hope this helps.

Darrell, quiet...for now

[ARTHILL]

The frog is the rail in the middle of the turnout that makes an X. That is an automatic short unless some wiring trick is done. I don't know your turnout, but most switches need a gap when there is power from both sides of the turnout. The continuity check is the next step. If that is a new test for you, let us know and we will help you learn to do it. It is a test that is used a lot as the layout gets more complex.