Dunno if this is possible for you to do at this time, but you might want to try slightly staggering the gaps - by only about 1/8" or so. Or, make a second gap so that there is essentially a short dead section of isolated rail rather than just a single gap.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
So you are using Diagram 2, Example C from the manual, all sections are auto-reverse? Yes
I'll assume you've tried changing the response times - what about current levels? The response time is set to the fastest and the short detection trip time on the DCS100 is set to the longest, as recommended. I've not tinkered with the default trip current of 3A. I'm not sure if it needs to go lower or higher.
The other thing to consider is the gaps for the loops. Are they exactly parallel, or staggered slightly? Exactly parallel(well, as close as I could get them - surely within 1/32" or so) again, as recommended by Digitrax.
And the locos that fail, are they split pickup types (like older diesles that pick up from the left rail on one truck and the right rail on the other, or steam locos that pick up from one rail on the drivers and the other rail on the tender trucks)? They are all late model LifeLike, Atlas, etc. diesel locos with 2 rail pickups on each truck.
So you are using Diagram 2, Example C from the manual, all sections are auto-reverse? I'll assume you've tried changing the response times - what about current levels?
Yeah, the PM42 for autorevering only is probably overkill. The AR1 is much simpler - doesn;t need a power supply, for one thing. The otehr big advantage of the AR1 is the sensitivity is infinitely adjustable - it's a potentiometer and not just a fixed set of values in a CV. It does take some fiddling depending on your equipment - it works reliably on my friend's layout but out of the box we were constantly adjusting the setting until it ran reliably with all his locos (many of which are scratch built with various brands of motors driving them). The point is, I guess, that it IS easily adjustable.
The other thing to consider is the gaps for the loops. Are they exactly parallel, or staggered slightly? And the locos that fail, are they split pickup types (like older diesles that pick up from the left rail on one truck and the right rail on the other, or steam locos that pick up from one rail on the drivers and the other rail on the tender trucks)?
Awesome!
Exactly how do you have the PM42's configured? As in, Which sections are reverse loops and which are just power districts? The PM42 is only for reverse loop (i.e - maybe it was overkill?)
For the reversing sections, do you have the wires to the track connected to BOTH terminals on the edge connector (as shown in the manual)? Yes. The wiring has been verified.
Is the power supply for the PM42 shared with ANYTHING else? It shouldn't be. No.
Did you run a wire fromt he ground terminal of the PM42 back to the ground pin on the DCS100? This is pretty much REQUIRED for reverse loop operation. Yes.
I've only ever installed one, and it was set for all 4 sections to be circuit breakers. The two reverse loops on that layout are controlled with AR-1's. Short the gap, the AR-1 flips its relay. Put a quater on the track where the AR-1 is, and it flips off the PM42's relay. Cool. Wish I could have the same luck.
Exactly how do you have the PM42's configured? As in, Which sections are reverse loops and which are just power districts? For the reversing sections, do you have the wires to the track connected to BOTH terminals on the edge connector (as shown in the manual)? Is the power supply for the PM42 shared with ANYTHING else? It shouldn't be. Did you run a wire fromt he ground terminal of the PM42 back to the ground pin on the DCS100? This is pretty much REQUIRED for reverse loop operation.
I've only ever installed one, and it was set for all 4 sections to be circuit breakers. The two reverse loops on that layout are controlled with AR-1's. Short the gap, the AR-1 flips its relay. Put a quater on the track where the AR-1 is, and it flips off the PM42's relay.
Nice touch, Lee. I especially like the KISS (keep it simple stupid) approach. Problem is, my loops are out in the attic and out of sight to throw the switch. However, my loops are made up of 2 detection sections. In this configuration, and using a BD4 and DS64, I have automated the turnout throwing process, which works 100% reliably by the way. I have never had a derailment at the loop entrance / exit turnout in hundreds of train passes (all trying to get the d--- PM42 to work right, of course) because of incorrectly set points.
Regards,
Geoff
HO
mrnimble Some months ago when initially testing my new layout I thought I had solved the PM42 reliability problems I was having controlling 2 reverse loops. Now that I have completed my terrain, scenery, etc. Ihave unpacked all of my remaining locos and have begun to try and get them all to trigger the PM42s consistently. Well, it ain't possible! In addition to the steps suggested by Digitrax of how to tune my track, PM42 settings, wiring and gaps, I have cleaned and re-cleaned all of my track and locomotive wheels to no avail. I am experiencing a wide range of difficulties: from my most reliable loco which fails (stops and shorts out across the gaps causing clicking relays on the PM42 and triggering the alarm on my DCS100) about 1 out of every 10 trips to another loco that will cross the gaps into the loop and then run about another 8 - 10 inches and stop. The quarter trick tells me that the PM42 has turned off the power to the loop. Go figure. With some tinkering by bridging the gap on one rail or the other I am able to restart the loco and then it will continue on and exits the loop. My sound equipped loco won't run on the loop (I think that's a given noting some of the other threads on other forums). And last but not least, none of my 6 axle locos will run the loops. They all stop at the gaps and short out. Oh, and I've also noticed that on occasion if I reverse a loco from my throttle while it is in the loop it stops and the quarter test shows again, the PM42 removed the loop power. All this has gotten old fast. Do PM42s normally work reliably for my application or should I look for some other solution? I've seen others talk about using the AR1s as well as products from MRC and DCC Specialties. Since all I need is auto-reversing, maybe the PM42 was overkill? Thanks.
Some months ago when initially testing my new layout I thought I had solved the PM42 reliability problems I was having controlling 2 reverse loops. Now that I have completed my terrain, scenery, etc. Ihave unpacked all of my remaining locos and have begun to try and get them all to trigger the PM42s consistently. Well, it ain't possible! In addition to the steps suggested by Digitrax of how to tune my track, PM42 settings, wiring and gaps, I have cleaned and re-cleaned all of my track and locomotive wheels to no avail. I am experiencing a wide range of difficulties: from my most reliable loco which fails (stops and shorts out across the gaps causing clicking relays on the PM42 and triggering the alarm on my DCS100) about 1 out of every 10 trips to another loco that will cross the gaps into the loop and then run about another 8 - 10 inches and stop. The quarter trick tells me that the PM42 has turned off the power to the loop. Go figure. With some tinkering by bridging the gap on one rail or the other I am able to restart the loco and then it will continue on and exits the loop. My sound equipped loco won't run on the loop (I think that's a given noting some of the other threads on other forums). And last but not least, none of my 6 axle locos will run the loops. They all stop at the gaps and short out. Oh, and I've also noticed that on occasion if I reverse a loco from my throttle while it is in the loop it stops and the quarter test shows again, the PM42 removed the loop power. All this has gotten old fast. Do PM42s normally work reliably for my application or should I look for some other solution? I've seen others talk about using the AR1s as well as products from MRC and DCC Specialties. Since all I need is auto-reversing, maybe the PM42 was overkill? Thanks.
Hy I never could get my Zephyer and PM42 to work on a very simple layout. I sent both back to the factory for refund. Bought another brand and a double pole double throw switch and never looked back. I wired both turn out motor switch and reverse loop power switch so they need to be in the same direction as train enters or leaves the loop. I don't need $40 worth of trouble.
Good luck
Lee
Some months ago when initially testing my new layout I thought I had solved the PM42 reliability problems I was having controlling 2 reverse loops. Now that I have completed my terrain, scenery, etc. I have unpacked all of my remaining locos and have begun to try and get them all to trigger the PM42s consistently. Well, it ain't possible! In addition to the steps suggested by Digitrax of how to tune my track, PM42 settings, wiring and gaps, I have cleaned and re-cleaned all of my track and locomotive wheels to no avail. I am experiencing a wide range of difficulties: from my most reliable loco which fails (stops and shorts out across the gaps causing clicking relays on the PM42 and triggering the alarm on my DCS100) about 1 out of every 10 trips to another loco that will cross the gaps into the loop and then run about another 8 - 10 inches and stop. The quarter trick tells me that the PM42 has turned off the power to the loop. Go figure. With some tinkering by bridging the gap on one rail or the other I am able to restart the loco and then it will continue on and exits the loop. My sound equipped loco won't run on the loop (I think that's a given noting some of the other threads on other forums). And last but not least, none of my 6 axle locos will run the loops. They all stop at the gaps and short out. Oh, and I've also noticed that on occasion if I reverse a loco from my throttle while it is in the loop it stops and the quarter test shows again, the PM42 removed the loop power. All this has gotten old fast. Do PM42s normally work reliably for my application or should I look for some other solution? I've seen others talk about using the AR1s as well as products from MRC and DCC Specialties. Since all I need is auto-reversing, maybe the PM42 was overkill? Thanks.