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Auto reversing units

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  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney Australia
  • 27 posts
Auto reversing units
Posted by phillipbayly on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 6:01 AM
Can any one recommend a brand. I know nothing of what is good reliable and affordable. Thanks for your help
Tags: auto reverse , DCC
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 6:41 AM

The DCC Specialties PSX-AR units from Tony's Trains (www.tonystrains.com) are probably the best.  They are all solid-state, so they don't have any annoying clicking relays.  The electronic switching is faster and more reliable, too.  I have 2 of the older ones.  (They've up-revved these since I bought mine.)  They have been on my layout for years and perform perfectly.  They contain built-in circuit breaker protection for the reversing loop, too.

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

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 311 posts
Posted by 1948PRR on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 7:56 AM

I second the reccomendation for the PSX-AR.

I also have an older model and it works great right out of the box, even with my PA, which I'm told has a different circuit breaker trip threshold than most systems.

I actually said "wow" when I first hooked it up. The operation was seemless and silent no pause in sound decoder either. If you didn't know it was there, you wouldn't know it was there.

Be careful as there is also an OG-AR, which uses the more common relay vs the PSX transistor method.

 

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: Hillsboro, Oregon
  • 934 posts
Posted by Eric97123 on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 1:39 PM

I just got a Digitrax AR-1 and it worked right out of the box without adjusting.  I have no complaints but it does make the clicking sound but if you have mounted under your table I doubt you would hear it.  Mine is mounted on the table table under a scratch built shack so I can hear it, barely.

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Elyria, OH
  • 2,586 posts
Posted by BRVRR on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 3:01 PM

I use the MRC and the Digitrax AR-1. They have been reliable and operated right out of the box. Both make a little clicking noise, but I mount mine under the train table so you have to listen hard to hear them.

The primary advantage to both of the above ARMs is that they are cheap. You can usually pick them up from an on line supplier for around $25. What more can you ask for, reliable and cheap.

Remember its your railroad

Allan

  Track to the BRVRR Website:  http://www.brvrr.com/

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 3:21 PM

 Our club uses the MRC reversers with no issues. We use the NCE Power Pro 5 amp system.

Rich


If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Denver, CO
  • 3,576 posts
Posted by Motley on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 4:58 PM
I third the PSX-AR, it's quiet and works great. I could not stand hearing the clicking from the Digitrax.

Michael


CEO-
Mile-HI-Railroad
Prototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 5:27 PM

Motley
I third the PSX-AR, it's quiet and works great. I could not stand hearing the clicking from the Digitrax.

I have two Digitrax AR1's on my layout.  They are great, highly reliable.

The click, referred to in several replies, is basically inaudible.  I have my auto-reversers inside small plastic buildings, and I hear nothing.  You really have to listen to hear it, especially if you have sound decoders on your layout.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2002
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Posted by goodsptsed on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 8:29 PM

 I'll sure have to go with the PSX-AR as well. In fact, for the last couple of days I've been installing a couple on my layup as I continue to change over from DC to DCC. As soon as I worked out a couple of short issues around switches (mMy fault), the PSX-AR's worked perfectly, no noise, no sparks, etc.

That is the only one I have used, so that is all I can discuss. I would add that the installation is very easy -- two wires from the booster, two to the track. One thing I had to do was add additional wires from the unit to sidings that are included in my loop, but the basic hookup was four wires (screw terminals made that easy) and I was done. 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney Australia
  • 27 posts
Posted by phillipbayly on Thursday, May 27, 2010 4:29 AM
Thanks for the info. I now have a starting point. Thanks to all who posted. regards Phil

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