problem with kato passing track

[Mr.F]

i have a mainline with a passing track (Kato unitrack).  if i switch both ends of the passing track at the same time, the mainline loses power.  if i open either end of it, the mainline runs.  my feeder track is positioned beside the passing track.  does that means it is outside the power loop when i switch to the passing track?  do i need to move the feeder track or install another feed?

[MisterBeasley]

I think you've nailed it.  I'm not familiar with these turnouts, but I suspect they're "power routing."  So, the power only goes to the track that the turnout is thrown for.  By feeding only one of the tracks, you isolate that track when you throw the turnouts the other way.

Add feeders.  Add lots of feeders.  A set of feeders every 3-6 feet is not only not excessive, it's actually recommended.  This will give you better, more reliable performance for the life of your railroad.

You don't need one of those "feeder tracks," by the way.  You can solder feeder wires directly to the rails.  Or, Atlas makes rail joiners with feeder wires attached.  If you buy a package of those, you'll say, "I can make these myself.  Why spend $2.79?"  And, you'll have nailed that, too.

[fredswain]

Kato switches can be set up as power routing, non-power routing, and with powered or unpowered frogs. It's just a simple adjustment on the back. My layout is all Kato. The passing siding is blocked on each end with a feeder to each even though I am still using DCC. Other sidings such as stub end sidings do not have their own feeders and just run through power routing in the switch. I do have several power feeders on the layout though. I think about 10 in all and this is in a n-scale switching layout in only 24" x 8 feet.

[CSX Robert]

Kato switches can be set up as power routing, non-power routing, and with powered or unpowered frogs. It's just a simple adjustment on the back...

This is sometimes, but not always, true. In N-scale, the #4 turnouts are selectable, but the #6 turnouts are power routing with a powered frog only. I don't know about the HO scale turnouts. Something else to note, the printing on the bottom of the #4 turnouts is wrong - the labels for power-routing and non-power routing are reversed(unless it has been corrected).

[Mr.F]

i have not noticed anything on the back of the switches that gives a choice on power routing.  i even took the4 back off of one and didn't see any kind of alternate setting.  i am using ho, by the way. 

[CNCharlie]

 I have Unitrack in HO and it appears that you have your turnouts set up for power routing.

 Whether or not they can be changed to non-power routing depends on the turnouts. The powered #6's require a repositioning of a pinned connectors and can be set either way.

If you have powered #4's then you are out of luck. If they are manual, then you just have to change a couple of screws on the bottom of the turnout. I used manual #4s and then added the electric switch motors as I wanted non-power routed but with remote operations.

The instructions to change power or non are with the turnout packaging.

[wjstix]

My manual no. 6 HO turnouts have two screw holes in the bottom, one hole has a screw in it and the other doesn't. As it comes from the factory the turnout is power routing. If remove the screw from the hole it's in and put it in the other hole, it becomes non-power routing. I believe it's labelled on the bottom but it may not be very obvious...something like "PWR" and N-PWR" maybe(??)

[Last Chance]

Put insulated joiners on the frog rails (Away from the points end) and install a feeder track to the passing (Runaround, siding whatever) and another to the mainline. Presto, power choking.. uhh.. routing defeated.