I have an NCE PowerPro 5 amp system. I have two areas that I need an autoreverser. One will be a stub ended leg of a wye and the other will be a reverse loop. I will be using sound locos with current keepers in some cases. It appears to me the basic DCC specialties unit will work for each application. I do not expect any special needs. Am I correct?
Thanks in advance.
Yes, a PSX-AR will do you very nicely, and if you have it right, you could even use the one unit to reverse either section...just not at the same time. As long as both sections are truly isolated and serviced ONLY by feeds from the PSX-AR, and as long as you don't have metal wheels bridging the gaps anywhere, the one unit can reverse both sections simultaneously. When that happens, any fully contained decoder won't care about the sudden reversal of phase, just as they don't by themselves anywhere on the layout. What they don't want is a conflict across a gap in phase when the decoder is drawing power across the conflict.
I hope that is relatively clear; one unit can control two reversing sections simultaneously, even when both of them are occupied. The decoders don't care. Just figure out a way to prevent a single metal tire bridging one of the four gaps at the ends of each of the two reversible sections.
Sometimes it's too much of a headache and too restrictive to try to get the one unit to do 'everything'. It's more risky on some track systems. Considering the price of a PSX-AR, you might be quite a bit further ahead to purchase two and slave each one to a single reversible section. Fewer headaches.
I have had a PSX-AR for about 11 years. It has been completely reliable and works very effectively.
It's probably worth the little extra money to get one (or two) that allows you to adjust the 'trip' level. A few folks have posted that they had trouble with ones that didn't have this feature.
I have the NCE PowerPro 5A also, with 2 reversing loops on my modest layout.
I wanted solid state (I think some use mechanical relays) so I used a $32 OG-AR on each loop and a $25 OG-CB on the short mainline (so I would know where a short occurred, plus see the LED comment following). These are not adjustable but I called Tony's Trains and discussed my setup and planned use with a fellow and he suggested that's all I needed. They do have LED output connections which I added to my control panel so if a short occurs I know in what area it happened. No problems in almost 6 years. I think with the same NCE that's all you need.
Whether you need or want the more expensive PSX-ARs at $54, which can be adjusted, you might discuss with Tony's. Others can explain when they have found a need for the adjustability, but the OG's seem to work fine with the 5A NCE, since the OGs trip at 4A they function first (mine work so). You prefer to have the sub-district (mainline) breaker to function before the mainline booster breaker if you put in the optional breaker.
https://tonystrains.com/product/onguard-og-ar/
https://tonystrains.com/product/dcc-onguard-og-cb/
https://tonystrains.com/product/dcc-specialties-psx-ar-power-shield-auto-reverser-circuit-breaker/
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
I also have the NCE PowerPro 5 amp system. I have three reversing sections on my layout, and I use PSX-AR units for these reversing sections.
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrain I also have the NCE PowerPro 5 amp system. I have three reversing sections on my layout, and I use PSX-AR units for these reversing sections. Rich
Hi Rich - why the more expensive PSX-AR units? I don't believe that I have any special needs.
markie97 richhotrain I also have the NCE PowerPro 5 amp system. I have three reversing sections on my layout, and I use PSX-AR units for these reversing sections. Rich Hi Rich - why the more expensive PSX-AR units? I don't believe that I have any special needs.
For years, I ran my layout as a single booster district, and I used Digitrax AR1s to protect my reversing sections. But, when I decided to divide my layout into separate power districts and installed PSX circuit breakers to protect the power districts, I began to experience conflicts between the AR1s and the PSX units. The mechanical relays on the AR1s could not react as fast as the solid state PSX units, so shorts resulted in my reversing sections.
I decided to sell the AR1s and replace them with PSX-ARs. Based upon the discussion on the DCC Specialties website, I selected the PSX-AR over the OG-AR for several reasons.
The PSX-AR is recommended for larger yards and passenger terminals, whereas the OG-AR is satisfactory for smaller yards and turntables.
Also, the PSX-AR has an adjustable trip current setting whereas the OG-AR is fixed at 4 amps. I prefer the adjustable trip current setting depending upon the size of the reversing section, and the number of locomotives, to be protected.
The PSX-AR also has several on board LEDs whereas the OG-AR has none. I find the on board LEDs invaluable for testing and troubleshooting purposes.
The PSX-AR can support up to 15 sound decodered locomotives whereas the OG-AR is limited to 5 sound decodered locomotives.
Ultimately, my reasoning for selecting the PSX-AR over the OG-AR came down to the fact that I own an NCE 5 amp PH-Pro wiresless DCC system. I felt that I should match the sophistication of my DCC system with the sophistication of the PSX-AR.
It is true that the PSX-AR is more expensive than the OG-AR by $22 ($54 versus $32), but I felt that the price difference was worth it in terms of performance and reliability, especially after my difficulties with the Digitrax AR1.
Another vote for the PSX-AR. Worth every penny and I have 10 on the layout. Been runnging for 3 years flawlessly. I looked at the other units out there. I was more concerned about protecting the layout than the cost as in the long run, engines cost more than an auto reverser.
Neal