I have a problem with what essentially is a balloon track that I have an auto reverser on ... the loco goes through the balloon track and passes the required gaps and loco continues on to the next gap (not related to the balloon track) and the loco has the front wheels passed the gap then if any of the following railcars trailing, cross the AR gap back in the balloon track , the metal railcar wheels short out the AR gap shutting down the loco(s) as it recognises a short... Is this a call for another AR at the other gap not related to the balloon track or should I move this gap further out beyond where my longest train would be past the AR in the balloon track?
Does your longest train fit in the reversing section?
Seems to me when the loco hits the second AR gap to exit the balloon, the reversing section should be the same polarity as the rest of the layout.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Something doesn't make sense here. If the balloon track is a reversing section, when the loco crosses the gaps and exits the reversing section, the reversing section has to be in-phase (matching polarities) with the adjacent section that the loco has entered. So, the polarities have to match.
Now when the loco crosses the second set of gaps into the third section, is that third section a reversing section? If it isn't a reversing section, then the second section and the third section should be in-phase (matching polarities).
Tell us more about that third section of track. Also, what is the length of the balloon track and the adjacent section of track (the second section)?
Rich
Alton Junction
Yes, the loco does exit the loop and is across the third gap, when the following cars cross the gap between the wires of the AR when the wheels of the cars make the short... The AR has switched the polarity to allow the loco to pass over safely a few seconds previously! Yes the third section is a reversing loop also after goes away for a while to the rest of the layout... If I run the loco by itself over this third gap it continues on because the polarity is correct at the third gap... Its just the trailing cars that cause the shutdown... We are out of the loop and its gaps when the problem occurs... The loco and a couple of cars travel fine for a foot or so before reaching the third gap!
Are you using just one autreverser for both reversing sections?
Thats about the only way I can see a metal car wheel crossing a gap that the loco just passed over with no problem suddenly causing a short, after the loco passes over an additional gap just down the track.
Even a crude MS Paint drawing of the track with some indication of where the gaps are would be helpful.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker Are you using just one autreverser for both reversing sections? Thats about the only way I can see a metal car wheel crossing a gap that the loco just passed over with no problem suddenly causing a short, after the loco passes over an additional gap just down the track.
Rich, see if this helps? When the loco crosses the gap at track 1 at the top, the following cars short at AR (middle)... oops looks like my attachment won't make the trip!
I've created a MS Paint drawing but how do I attach it into this note!
Thanx...
You need to upload it to a web site or photo hosting service. See the top sticky message on the main forum on how to post pictures to the forum.
Or send an email to one of us with the drawing as an attachment and we will post it.