I am running common rail with FT turnouts. All turnout have been built per FT instructions and all check out ok with a multimeter. All engines except the 4 wheelers do not have any problems with the dead frogs. No hesitation nor surges.
I want to power up the frogs with CI 220 ground throws. Have installed them on 2 sidings so far. Problems came up with how they were wired. Wiring them per FT instructions, an engine on both main and siding move at the same time no matter which way the points are thrown. Wiring per CI instructions, turned to the main, only the main powers up (good) Turned to the siding, only the siding powers up but can move out on the main and continue running (good). Just have to make sure both turnouts are thrown th same, otherwise the engine stops. This works well as I can still run the whole layout.
Problems came up when I wired the spurs. Wiring per FT instructions, nothing moves on the main, siding nor the spur. Wiring per CI instructions, I can run the main and the sidings, but not the spur.
Once I can get the single spur to operate properly, then I need to figure out what to do on the multiple spurs, similar to yard tracks but serving "in town" industries.
I have gleaned thru all the past posts and none quite answer my problem. Seems most deal with other than common rail situations.
I would greatly appreciate any insight into this.
Thanks in advance.
Pops
Hi Pops, to the forum. Some times a post gets shuffled down to the bottom of the list of new posts and few people see it. I know we have people that have built their own turnouts here.
pops.andersonProblems came up when I wired the spurs. Wiring per FT instructions, nothing moves on the main, siding nor the spur. Wiring per CI instructions, I can run the main and the sidings, but not the spur.
It sounds like there is a short. I don't know the instructions or why FT should be different from CI. You throw the bar and the polarity of the frog changes. The Fast Track site shows gaps in the rail on both sides of the frog, on both rails. Is the gap completely through both rails.?
pops.andersonWiring per CI instructions, turned to the main, only the main powers up (good) Turned to the siding, only the siding powers up but can move out on the main and continue running (good). Just have to make sure both turnouts are thrown th same, otherwise the engine stops.
That's not right either. These aren't power routing turnouts, meaning changing the points shouldn't affect the frog rails. (frog rails) are the ones beyond the frog itself
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Unless the gaps were left off beyond the frog. They do mention that you can do that in the FT instructions, combined with a frog power wire, makes them power routing. Two connected in a crossover will absolutely need gaps if run that way, otherwise if one is set straight and the other is set to cross over, there would be a short.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinkerThey do mention that you can do that in the FT instructions, combined with a frog power wire, makes them power routing.
My bad, like Playboy, I just looked at the FT pictures.
I'm pretty sure it's in the videos, too
Bottom line, if it's a crossover type arrnagement, there needs to be at least one set of gaps in the rails past the frog. If it's a simpel siding, then the power has to be arranged the same - The order of the feeders should have the left rail of the siding the same as the left rail of the main, and the right rails both the same. If it alternates - short!
Thanks for the replies.
I just could not figure this out. I am definately not a "whiz" when it comes to electrical things. Your replies got me looking at things again that I thought I had figure out. Some times, it is just best to go back to the beginning.
I unhooked all the wiring that I had in and just have 1 power drop (between point facing turnouts). Thinking on the last things I did and looking at Randi's post, I checked on the crossover. I had gaps, both rails, so did not think that was a problem. Decided to pull the crossover out completly (Atlas #6's) and it seems to have solved the problem of shorts that I didi not think I had. Did not like the crossover anyway.
So, now that I am back to square one, I will hook up the 220 to a spur and see if things are workin
g better.
I did forget to mention, I am just using DC with common rail just using the rail itself for power. Did not want to do blocks yet as I want to get 1 train running right before I worry about
blocks and more trains.
Here are wiring schematics for both FT and CI instructions.
Does it matter if you connect to bus wires or can I just connect to the rail itself?