This afternoon, I was hooking up the track feeders to the last block in my freight yard and when I did a test run the locomotive stopped at the insulated gap and shut the system down. Ooops, forgot to energize the block with the Atlas Connector switch. When I repowered the controller, it was intermittently on and off before I was able to check the lead to the track buss and discovered it was loose at the suitcase connector.
Problem now is that nothing moves or makes sounds. The controller is on and I get 13+ volt readings on the track and at the various drop points off the buss to the track (I had been getting 15+ volts before.) Programing track works fine and I get address and other readbacks from locomotives that were on the tracks when the interruption occured.
Shouldn't 13 volts be sufficient for the system to operate? Also, if the controller was damaged, it seems it shouldn't be putting voltage to the track or operating in program track mode. Also, I did decoder readback on one loco that was not on the layout, got good readings, but it too would not move (no sound in this one) on the layout.
Any ideas?
Well, I think I've sorted it out a bit, but some things still don't fit. I think I've got an intermittent 'open' where the wires from the controller are connected to the buss wires. This connection with a 14-18 AWG suitcase connector has been connected to my 14 AWG buss wires and 14 AWG leads from the controller to the buss. Why it decided to suddenly go to a serious voltage drop I can't imagine.
Are there suit case connectors for larger gauge wire, or is there a better way to get a firm connection for controller to buss?
Solder the wire instead of using suitcase connectors. A soldered joint will be much more reliable than a suitcase connector that doesn't properly fit, provided you know how to solder. If you don't know how or don't have the tools, try to find someone who can do it for you.
I am inclined to agree, if one suitcase connector is/was loose then the same may be said for the rest of them. I must be the odd man out here because I could not get suitcase connectors to make a positive connection using #12 wire for my buss, so as suggested I now solder all my drops to the buss wires it doesn't take that long and yields a much better result in my O/P. As far as your voltage goes I am almost certain you should be seeing 16 volts or there a bouts. So I would take a voltage reading at the command station with the power buss wires removed. You should carry that same voltage throughout the entire layout.
Also I had a situation happen to me once where I had a short in the system and had to re-program the locomotive. I am not sure weather or not the short cause it to default back to OEM setting or not but I had nothing happening and then all I could get was the bell ringing. I completely reprogrammed the locmotive and everything was fine. I first attributed this to the crappy MRC sound decoder but later found that the same had happened to my friend with a Digitrx unit. Electronics don't like short circuits I guess.
Another vote for soldering. However, if you MUST use suitcase connectors, remember they are different for different wire sizes. You MUST use ones made for your wire size, or poor connnections will always result. You also MUST crimp them properly - the metal tab has to be crimped down on the wires and THEN the plastic cover flipped over and locked. Do not try to press down the metal tab and cover all at the same time, again, you will get a poor connection.
Sounds like you feed the power into an Atlas selector and then use the taps to power various electrical blocks. If you're measuring a reduced voltage at multiple track locations - check back where the power feeds in. With the selectors all turned off, and with them on. With nothing on the track, voltage at the input of the controls (or output of your system) should be identical, and should be up to the normal reading you previously were getting. With a consistent reading everywhere though, the wiring is probbaly OK now. You didn;t mention what system you are using, but if it's one that allows DC loco operation on address 00, make sure address 00 isn;t selected and the speed is set to 0. A speed value on address 00 will alter your track voltage readings.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks for all the suggestions. Soldering is clearly the best solution and I've abandoned suitcase connectors for this particular application. I've developed a rather novel short term solution using 'bullseye' connectors holding the buss and controller wires together with a small nut and screw. I will go with soldiered connections now that things are working and I know that this is where the problem was.