Greetings. I am constructing my first DCC layout -- a double loop with two short connecting tracks between them, one on each side of the oval. I don't know where to place the auto-reversers? Any advice? Thank you very much.
to the fourm. You posts are delayed in moderation for a few posts.
I tried drawing your plan, but this one is close enough, and it's better than I can do, top left layout
http://www.thortrains.net/4holay4.html
If there is a reversing section there, I'm not seeing it, so maybe you have a different design in mind and we need to see a track plan.
The forum has very specific rules about how pictures can be posted into your thread. In brief the pic has to be hosted at one of the free sites on the Internet. Google and Facebook don't work, neither does the widows clipboard.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I try to keep my auto-reversers close to their reversing section, but it's really not that important. The reverse sections have their own independent track bus, and there should be a feed line back to the base station, before any power division for breakers, etc.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
BTGranta double loop with two short connecting tracks between them, one on each side of the oval
Please clarify what this means. If the "short connecting tracks" are simply 2 close coupled turnouts connecting the 2 loops, as in Big Daddy's upper left layout, those are "crossovers", not reversing loops. They do not reverse the train's direction and therefore do not create a polarity problem requiring (1) gaps in the track to separate the sometimes opposite rail polarities nor (2) auto-reverser circuits to match the polarity as the train enters / exits the loop.
Draw your layout diagram and run your finger around the various routes that exist. If the train never can be made to reverse direction, you do not have any reversing sections.
Reversing sections of various kinds are well described here, if applicable:
http://wiringfordcc.com/track_2.htm#c4
If you do happen to have a reversing section, then the question of where to provide the necessary gaps, using insulated rail joiners or cuts in the rail, arises. In some cases, there are options on where to place the gaps, plus considerations such as train length.
If you can clarify your layout the group will be sure to answer the right question.
In addition, welcome to the forum!
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
BTGrant Greetings. I am constructing my first DCC layout -- a double loop with two short connecting tracks between them, one on each side of the oval. I don't know where to place the auto-reversers? Any advice? Thank you very much.
These are essentially two nested circles/ovals of tracks? As in, they're concentric, or almost? And you have a diagonal between them in two places, each serviced by the suitable turnout pair? There's no conflict in polarity possible unless you get your wires crossed...literally. If the turnouts are power routing, you might get a conflict if a turnout is lined to take the diagonal (a 'crossover' as it is called), but the one on the other end is not...you'll have to test. If it turns out that it does cause a short, simply leave one end of the diagonal gapped to the turnout at that end. But, as I see it in my mind, your two track circles are wired the same way, one wire colour to the inner rails and one to the outer rails. The diagonals are wired the same way coming from the points end...this is important. If you wire everything that way, I don't see why you'd want a reverser anywhere.
Thank you so much gentlemen!! I truly appreciate your expertise and willingness to share with me. Yes, my layout is much like the one in the upper left with the two nested ovals; the only difference with mine is that while in the drawing there are two diagnal crossover tracks on one side of the oval and another on the opposite side of the oval (three total) -- mine has only one diagnal track between the ovals on each side, for a total of two. (I would draw it, but not sure how in this forum and I don't have it posted online anywhere). Your explanations are excellent. Apparently I don't need the auto reversers as I don't actually have a change in polarity. I've read all the how-to books but was still uncertain. Your explanations really solved my problem. THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH!!!