The AR-1 is a perfectly fine device. Works very well, even with ultra-low current draw N scale locos. Plus it's got a simple potentiometer adjustment. The PSX-AR is a LOT more expensive and you either have to set it up for programming to adjust the trip current or solder jumpers on it.
Tony is a good dealer but he obviously has an agenda when it comes to those "proprietary" items - ie, he'd rather sell you HIS pieces than someone elses.
Believe me, I was once of the opinion that "OMG, relays BAD!" but I now have had experience workign with the PM42 and AR-1 and both devices work VERY well. The PM42 really isn't for a non-Digitrax system, but the AR-1 will work with any DCC system and hooks up like any other with just 4 wires, adn you just turn the potentiometer to adjust the trip current for your needs - even for systems with lower power output liek Zephyr and PowerCab. Simple, no nonsense, and it works.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I'll take your recommendation, Thak you.
I don't mind paying ten bucks more for something that will actually work.
Thanks again for all of your help,
AK
I do not recommend the Digitrax auto reverse module because it also uses a mechanical relay to switch the track. Get one that it totally electronic, such as the PSX-AR from Tony's Train Exchange. A little more expensive, but also far more reliable than a mechanical relay.
http://www.tonystrains.com/products/dccspecialties.htm
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
The module turns out to be bad.
I will send it back to mrc and buy a digitrax model in the morning.
Another simple test:
Remove the auto reverser and connect the reverse loop track directly to the power bus.
Run the locomotive through the turnout. If it still shorts, reverse the wires to the reverse track section and try again.
If you still have a short, something is wired wrong with your reverse loop. If there is no short, then the module is bad.
Have you double checked all of your wiring to insure that you don't have two power feeds connected to the reverse loop track section by mistake?
mfm37 You could test the reverser by shorting one rail of the main to the opposite phased rail of the reversing loop.
You could test the reverser by shorting one rail of the main to the opposite phased rail of the reversing loop.
Martin Myers
The audible click indicates that the relay is trying to change, but is still no guarantee that it is holding its position and not reverting back to its original state. Too little Amperage output from the Dynamis could cause this.
The 5 Amp rating of the module only indicates how much current the contacts can pass without burning, and has nothing to do with the current required by the coil to change the position of the contacts.
Do you have another locomotive that you can run through the trackwork and see if it also shorts?
I suspect a defective auto-reverse module but the only way you're going to know for sure is to run a second DCC locomotive through the trackwork or replace the module.
If you decide to replace the module, consider getting an all electronic one instead of another MRC product.
Huum, Good thought.
The module is rated for 5 amps
The dynamis system is putting out 2.3
but an audible click is heard when the loco shorts the circut
?????
The ones I wired were on a friend's HO scale layout and it was several years ago -- I don't recall exactly, but think the relay box was black.
would the MRC reverser that you have played with have a light blue relay box, or a black relay box?
Atlas code 100 turnouts are not power routing. The only MRC auto-reverse module I have ever worked with had a sensitivity adjustment pot and a mechanical relay. If this is not what you have, then MRC may be your best hope for getting help with it.
With Atlas turnouts, I always insulate all 4 rails on the divergent end and feed power only from the points end at any locations connected to a reverse loop. If you have yours wired this way and are still encountering a short, then there is something wrong with the MRC module not reversing as it should.
I use PS-REV wholly electronic modules from Tony's Train Exchange and have had no problems with them. An electronic module can change much faster than one with a mechanical relay.
there is nothing to adjust on the module
Atlas code 100 turnout, i do not know if it is power-routing or not.
there is an 3" straight between the turnout and the styrene insulators to both rails
I can assure you 100% that the loop is completly insulated, all four rails have been cut and replaced with styrene.
the instructions do not have directions for a pot mechanism, but i will look on the module for one. I will also post on the MRC fourm about finding one.
What brand and type of turnouts are you using? Does the reverse loop section begin right at the turnouts? If it does and if you have both rails insulated from the remainder of the layout at the turnouts, then something is not wired correctly. What about the straight side of the turnouts, are both rails insulated there, too? If not, insulate them. It sounds to me like the rails are not all insulated and power is being fed back through the turnout from the straight section and shorting out the curved portion.
Also check the instructions that came with the MRC auto-reverse module. There is a sensitivity adjustment pot on them, and the instructions tell you how to adjust it. The module may not be set to react fast enough.
The four rails inside the loop have been cut through and filled with .10 styrene.
I have wired the reverser as you have told, and the problem still continues.
If the frogs are not insulating proplery, will I have to replace the turnout?
Thanks for your help,
The auto-reverser must get its power from the power bus outside the loop, and the output from the module connects to the inside of the loop.
The short at the turnouts is probably because you don't have the track properly insulated at the turnout frogs. For best results, I always insulate at least both rails exiting from the turnout frog.
In the case of your reverse loop, both rails should be insulated at both ends of the reverse loop so it forms a totally separate piece of track from the rest of your layout.
humm.
using a MRC auto reverse with DCC + DCC loco
I have completly isolated the rails of the loop and checked it three times.
dynamis control system
atlas code 100 turnout
is there any tests, ect to determine that i have a bad reverser?
where is the power bus connected to the rails, in the loop, or outside the loop.
are the two yellow wires from the reverser the only wires to the loop?
the loco will move through the straight rails of the turnout, but not the curved direction in either direction.
when the loco goes through the curved side, the short occurs.