Hello all,I've wrote a few times in the past regarding this issue, but have since changed my setup. A little background for you...I now have an MRC Prodigy Advance 2 system hooked up to a more or less basic dogbone style layout with one crossover (see image below). The crossover has gaps (plastic joiners) on each rail indicated in the picture below, seperating one-half of the layout from the other. I have the track power set-up on the left half of the layout, with the right half totally shut off. I'm trying to get my MRC AD-520 Auto-Reverser to work with this configuration and haven't had any luck as it short-circuits when trying to go through the crossover at the gap. I've followed the intsructions exactly. I've even tried placing feeders within a half inch of the gaps thinking maybe the turnout frogs had something to do with it...no luck. Turnouts by the way are the newer Walthers/Shinohara #6 version (DCC friendly). From what I've read, after trying this configuration out, it seems as though the AD-520 isn't supposed to work with my system because it's more than two amps. Is this true? I'd also like to mention that I've even tried using a DPDT switch to troubleshoot the loop, and that doesn't work either!?! To say the least I'm getting frustrated with this. Even considering just throwing in the towel and doing away with the crossover. Any help on this matter would be MUCH APPRECIATED.
Thanks,Steve
No auto reverser will work with this track configuration because you don't have an isolated reversing section with both rails insulated at both ends. Your configuration is trying to reverse the entire layout, which it can't do.
You need to put insulated rail joiners in both rails at a location near one of the stub sidings and half way around the curve to the right so the crossover is near the middle. That section can then be reversed by the module as necessary.
I guess I don't quite understand what you are saying. I used to have a configuration like this with a DPDT switch that worked fine at one time. Do you have any suggestions as to how to fix what you are talking about? Thanks.
Look at the wiring and track insulated gap diagrams that come with a PSX-AR auto reverser. Your track is not gapped like this anywhere, so you don't have a section that can be reversed. I don't know how to explain it in any simpler language. Your layout has no reversable section.
http://www.dccspecialties.com/products/pdf/man_psxar.pdf
gtw1969 Steve
Steve
It certainly appears to me that the right hand portion of the track plan forms a reverse loop. A train running clockwise on the left portion can go through the crossover and run around the right side of the trackplan and return to the left half running counterclockwise.
maxmangtw1969 Steve It certainly appears to me that the right hand portion of the track plan forms a reverse loop. A train running clockwise on the left portion can go through the crossover and run around the right side of the trackplan and return to the left half running clockwise.
It certainly appears to me that the right hand portion of the track plan forms a reverse loop. A train running clockwise on the left portion can go through the crossover and run around the right side of the trackplan and return to the left half running clockwise.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
Vail and Southwestern RRrun around the right side of the trackplan and return to the left half running clockwise.
Oops, I should have said counterclockwise. I edited my original post to make the correction.
maxmanVail and Southwestern RRrun around the right side of the trackplan and return to the left half running clockwise. Oops, I should have said counterclockwise. I edited my original post to make the correction.
That's what I'm trying to prove now (wiring). My thinking is that I may have the wiring on the right half of the layout tied in with the stub yard (right side stub yard) which really orginates on the left half of the layout before the blocks (crossover). For illustration purposes, the drawing is a BASIC example of my layout. What really happens is the right-side stub yard ends up on top of the right side loop (reverse loop). See more detailed picture below.
gtw1969 My thinking is that I may have the wiring on the right half of the layout tied in with the stub yard (right side stub yard) which really orginates on the left half of the layout before the blocks (crossover).
If this is the case, then that would be the problem. I believe that your reverser connections should only be attached to the return loop as formed in the original diagram in you first post. Disconnect any connections from the reverser to the stub yard and try it again.
You guys are right!Found my problem with the stub yard feeders sharing power with the reverse loop feeders. After clipping all the reverse loop feeders to make sure there was no power to the right side of the layout, I rehooked up the MRC AD520.....Bam! It works !!!!Thanks for all of your help!...Now I have to figure out what I did to screw up my tortoises losing power to the crossover. That should be an easier problem to solve. I'm just glad I was able to get my reverse loop working again!!!!