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Reverse Loop Quandary

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  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Maine
  • 4 posts
Reverse Loop Quandary
Posted by LonePine on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 3:44 PM
I have a Reverse Loop about 24 feet long. In my reading I found: "Do not connect your main bus to the reversing section in any way. The section must only be connected to the controller". Does this mean that I have no power leads to that loop section of track, or does the Controller become the source of power, and can it supply adequate power over the 24 feet of track. ? I intend to use a MRC auto reverse module. Thanks
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 3:52 PM

I think what it's saying is that the power connections to the reverse loop track have to all go thru the reverse module first, then to the track. If you have some wires going to the main bus directly it won't work. 

Stix
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Vail, AZ
  • 1,943 posts
Posted by Vail and Southwestern RR on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 3:55 PM

The auto reverse module provides the power to the reverse loop.  You still wire feeders and a bus, just with the source to that section being the auto reverse module (which is powered by the controller) rather than the controller directly.

Jeff But it's a dry heat!

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Poconos, PA
  • 3,948 posts
Posted by TomDiehl on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 4:20 PM

This is similar to advice you'd get whether you're working with standard DC or DCC. The loop needs to be electrically isolated from the lead in track on all rails. It's usually best to put insulated rail joiners on all four rails coming out of the switch that forms the loop. From there on, the loop needs to have its own buss, which is connected to the power pack (DC) through a reversing switch, or reversing module output (DCC). If no insulators are used, you'll have a dead short through the rails, and it's a short to both DC or DCC.

Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to. Chief of Sanitation; Clowntown
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 8:35 PM

For a loop that long, you should create a separate sub-bus wired to the output of the auto-reverse unit.  Then connect the track in the loop (and only the track in the loop) to the sub-bus with feeders.  Use heavy-gauge wire for the sub-bus, just like your main bus. 

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

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