I believe the AR1 is a relay-based system while the PM42 is solid state. The PM42 is faster.
For a simple reverse loop, though, you probably wouldn't notice the difference.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Actually, the AR1 and the PM42 are both relay-based, and they both can work quite well.**
I think the AR1 is slightly better as an auto-reverser because the trip current is infinitely variable via the adjustment pot, whereas the PM42 has a number of fixed trip currents to choose from.
The guidance is to not have a PM42 power manager section feeding another section on the same PM42 set up as an auto-reverser. But you can certainly mix section types on the same PM42 as long as you follow that guidance.
**I formerly used a PM42 and two AR1's on my layout, and replaced them with a BXP88 and two BXPA1's only because it was a less-expensive route to eventually add detection/signaling (there's another BXP88 in the works). But they worked fine, even with my roster of all sound-equipped locos.
Thanks for the replies. Stevert, how many reversing loops will a BXP88 control?
The BXP88 does not do reverse loops, it is strictly a circuit breaker and block detector.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
As Randy mentioned, the BXP88 has eight power manager/detection/transponding section sections, but it's not an auto-reverser.
That's what the BXPA1 does (and why I got two to replace my two AR1's). They are single-section power manager/detection/transponding/auto-reversing devices.
Opps! I got he BXP88 and the BXPA1 mixed up.
Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate the information.
Jack