I am losing power and when all wiring is connected have an overload at the power pack.
Here is how I have things connected::
When it is connected this way I have an overload on the power pack.
I disconnected the accessories connection but leave the variable DC connection wired to the barrier strip. There is no overload but my train won't move.
I know it is not the power pack because when I connect directly to the power pack without using the barrier strip it runs fine. The barrier strip is the problem. What am I doing wrong? Because I need multiple power connections to each of the rerailers and the multiple turnout remotes how can I make this work?
OK, you have an 8 position barrier strip, plus an 8 position jumper that you cut in half. OK so far?
Now, the power pack will have 2 terminals for variable DC. One should go to one terminal on the barrier strip, the other three on that side with the jumper plus the 4 opposite are ALL the same connection now. The second variable DC terminal should connect to the other end of the barrier strip, on a termianl connected tot he other half of the jumper. The other 3 terminals on that side plus the 4 opposite are ALL that same connection.
There is no place left to connect the AC terminals of the power pack. You need another barrier strip.
Each pair of screws on the barrier strip are electrically connected.with a pair of 4 position jumpers, aka an 8 position jumper cut in half, you have two groups of 8 screw terminals that are all connected together.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy, I think what you're saying is connect the variable DC terminals to the barrier strip terminals across from one another, not on the same side, correct?
Then as I connect each spade connector from each section of the layout, for example each of the 3 rerailers, each pair will be connected to the terminals on the barrier strip across from one another, not on the same side of the barrier strip, correct?
If this is correct i know how I went wrong.
Nooo.... every pair of terminals across from one another are connected!
|8|8|8|8|8|8|8|8| so the two loops in each 8 are the screws. Each 8 is connected together.
With the cut in half jumpers installed, you have connected the left four 8's to each other. And the right four 8's to each other.
One power pack terminal should connect to the far left 8, the other to the far right 8.
Trying to find pictures that illustrate it, like this:
OK, that shows twp 8 position blocks, but same concept.
Dunno how else to explain it, if you look at the barrier strip it's pretty obvious what's connected to what before you attach any wires, just by where the metal is.
The reason I cut the jumper strip in half is because I am using 4 pair of the barrier terminals for the variable DC power to operate just the terminal connections on the track and the other 4 for the turnout remotes. The connection to the 4 terminals used for the turnout remotes need to be wired to the accessories connection on the power pack.
I have 4 wires going from the power pack to the barrier strip, 2 from the variable DC terminals and 2 from the accessories terminals. If we break down the barrier strip into half and used the left half or the left 4 pair of barrier terminals for the variable DC connection and looking at the barrier strip along its length, do I connect one of the variable DC terminals to the barrier terminal at the far left and the other variable DC terminal to the terminal on the barrier strip 4 terminals to the right of the end or terminal on the far left? Keeping in mind the jumper strip is also used, the rerailers connect to the terminal posts on the opposite half, across from where the variable DC is connected along this section of the barrier strip?
Then do the same with the right 4 terminals of the barrier strip?
SUX V R40 Rider Keeping in mind the jumper strip is also used, the rerailers connect to the terminal posts on the opposite half, across from where the variable DC is connected along this section of the barrier strip? Then do the same with the right 4 terminals of the barrier strip?
Keeping in mind the jumper strip is also used, the rerailers connect to the terminal posts on the opposite half, across from where the variable DC is connected along this section of the barrier strip?
Apparently, the OP does not grasp the fact that each pair of terminal screws is just that - - a pair. Each pair of screws is already connected to each other on the barrier strip.
The OP is trying to use an 8 position barrier strip to route power to four track connections (DC) and to four accessories (AC). However, when properly wired, an 8 position barrier strip will only route power to two track connections (DC) and to two accessories (AC). So, as Randy and Martin indicate, to route power to four track connections (DC) and to four accessories (AC), the OP will need two 8 position barrier strips.
The first diagram that follows illustrates how one 8 position barrier strip can be wired to route power to two track connections (DC) and to two accessories (AC). The red lines represent a jumper between terminal screws.
The second diagram that follows illustrates how two 8 position barrier strips can be wired to route power to four track connections (DC) and to four accessories (AC). The red lines represent a jumper between terminal screws.
Hope this helps.
Rich
Alton Junction
LIONS do not use barrier strips where a bus wire is called for. Of course this is inside of the control panel.
The top bus is -12v dc, the bottom bus is +12v dc, the red and green wires go down to SPST micro switches activated by the switch levers. The White wire is the return from the micro switch and will be either + or - according to the position of the lever. These outputs are gathered by that black harness and ends up on the 25 pr cat-3 cable that goes around the entire layout.
The relays control signal and power logic out on the railroad. These in turn control other relays out on the road where track power and signals are routed according to the position of these control levers. Thus there is never any track power in this control tower.
Out on the layout there are panels (also made with nails) where individual devices attach to the control harness. Documenting the connections is limited then to indicating what pin (wire) number controls what. An entry might be: Wire 20 = Switch Machine A1-127 / A3-127 (a pair of switches operating a crossover between track A1 and MP 127 and track A3 also at MP 127.
All connections are soldered, there are no screw terminals. (Those things cost money!)
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Rich,
I hope the op studies the diagram that you have provided him, because I don't believe it can be drawn any simpler!!!
Cheers,
Frank
SUX,
Both Randy's and Rich's advice are both spot on.
As I recommended in another thread where you were having problems with DC wiring, I still think you need to do your homework. You would save yourself a lot of time and trouble if you bought, borrowed or even read on-line more about basic DC wiring.
A book on basic wiring by Andy S can be a starting point
http://www.amazon.com/Railroad-Wiring-Second-Edition-Railroader/dp/0890243492/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354067210&sr=8-1&keywords=HO+Dc+Wiring
Lion:
The OP is having trouble comprehending the way a barrier strip works and you thought you could clarify it with that?
Rich, in the last post before yours presented a very clear diagram. I hope it helps.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
LION clarify something? Not hardly. LIONS stir up the pot, plant different ideas and think outside the box.
I sure wish Tillie would stop thinking outside of the box!
richhotrain Apparently, the OP does not grasp the fact that each pair of terminal screws is just that - - a pair. Each pair of screws is already connected to each other on the barrier strip. The OP is trying to use an 8 position barrier strip to route power to four track connections (DC) and to four accessories (AC). However, when properly wired, an 8 position barrier strip will only route power to two track connections (DC) and to two accessories (AC). So, as Randy and Martin indicate, to route power to four track connections (DC) and to four accessories (AC), the OP will need two 8 position barrier strips. The first diagram that follows illustrates how one 8 position barrier strip can be wired to route power to two track connections (DC) and to two accessories (AC). The red lines represent a jumper between terminal screws. The second diagram that follows illustrates how two 8 position barrier strips can be wired to route power to four track connections (DC) and to four accessories (AC). The red lines represent a jumper between terminal screws. Hope this helps. Rich
Rich, this is exactly what I was looking for. Because I am using 3 rerailers that haver terminal connections and there will be one more terminal connection to the track that will simply be soldered, I need to use the one 8 position barrier strip ust to operate the track. and another just to operate the accessories. In this application I will need seperate 2 barrier strips to operate it correctly.
Let me ask you this, had I not cut the jumper strip in half would the diagram you show with the DC connections be different by having one more red line, in your diagram, between the 2 terminals in the middle, but still have the DC connections where they are?
SUX, I am not sure that I understand your question.
The red lines represent jumpers.
If the jumper that you used was not split into two but, rather, remained in one piece, then all 8 terminal screws would be jumpered into one solid connection. In that case, you could only use the barrier strip for one side of the DC power, either positive or negative.
Remember, to avoid a short, you need to keep separate the positive (+) and negative (-) sides of the DC power supply and the positive (+) and negative (-) sides of the AC power supply.
Does that help or are you asking something different?
Let's try this. The 8 position barrier strip has 16 total screws on it. They connect in pairs. 8 screws are permanently connected to the 8 across from them, in pairs. Hence I used an 8 to represent the paired screws.
If you did not cut the jumper strip, and put it under the 8 screws of one side, what you have made is the equivalent of a short peice of heavy wire, all 16 screws connect to one another. By cutting the jumper in half (and make sure it really is - that the two cut ends are not touching each other accidently), you have made 2 chunks of connections, each with 8 screws. 4 rows of 2, at each end of the strip. One set of 8 are all connected together. The other set of 8 are all connected together. These connected together terminals are the equivalent of taking two wires and touching them together. With one 8 position barrier strip and two 4 position jumpers, you have enough isolated connectiosn for TWO power terminals coming in and no more. EITHER the two DC terminals can connect, or the two AC terminals, but not both. What Rich drew for connecting both is TWO 8 position barrier strips with TWO 4 positin jumpers - then you have FOUR total connection points to apply power, a pair for DC and a pair for AC.
richhotrain SUX, I am not sure that I understand your question. The red lines represent jumpers. If the jumper that you used was not split into two but, rather, remained in one piece, then all 8 terminal screws would be jumpered into one solid connection. In that case, you could only use the barrier strip for one side of the DC power, either positive or negative. Remember, to avoid a short, you need to keep separate the positive (+) and negative (-) sides of the DC power supply and the positive (+) and negative (-) sides of the AC power supply. Does that help or are you asking something different? Rich
That helps Rich, thanks. I will need to use the one barrier strip with its split jumper strip for the DC connection and another for the AC. I'll let you know how it works.
SUX V R40 Rider That helps Rich, thanks. I will need to use the one barrier strip with its split jumper strip for the DC connection and another for the AC. I'll let you know how it works.
Yes, exactly, that is correct.
richhotrain SUX V R40 Rider That helps Rich, thanks. I will need to use the one barrier strip with its split jumper strip for the DC connection and another for the AC. I'll let you know how it works. Yes, exactly, that is correct. Rich
I just went down to my basement and created 2 new connections for the DC barrier strip and it works. I figured out because I am running Bachmann EZ Track and because I will be running Atlas Snap Track going forward instead of continuous track and because the jumper strip is cut in half I need to connect one spade connector for the wiring coming from the rail terminals to one half of the barrier strip and the other to the other half.
SUX, good news so far.
Where are you now?
Have you complete all of the DC and AC wiring through the two barrier strips?