I am setting up a small but simple DCC HO layout that is about 12' x 5' oval This oval is the the mainline that has a spur that leaves the mainline. This spur then becomes a short inner oval that reenters the maintline on the other side of the the layout. My problem is that I am apparently causing a short somewhere because the train stops running when I switch both turnouts. In switching just one turnout the train keeps running. I do not think I have a polarity problem since the rail does not come back on itself and the turnouts are only operated manually at this point. Does anyone have any suggestions in solving this problem?
When the train stops running, does your powerpack go into overload protection?
Is the 'inner oval' being fed power by its own set of feeders, or through the tracks via the power-routing turnouts?
The Location: Forests of the Pacific Northwest, OregonThe Year: 1948The Scale: On30The Blog: http://bvlcorr.tumblr.com
The power pack is a Digitrax Zepher. I currently have only one set of feeders for the entire track, therefore, the power-routing would be through the turnouts. I don't think the power pack is going into a pveerload protection mode. When I manually switch to the mainline the train continues to run on that line.
We built a layout last summer with N scale Unitrack for MBKlein. It had a similar passing track type plan. The turnouts had to set up for Non-Power routing to prevent a short. The alternative is to install insulated joiners on one end of the passing track. Using that method the turnouts can remain Power Routing but only the one without the joiners will actually route power. Since it was also a DCC layout, we didn't need power routing. We also used a lot more feeders. (we had carte blanche on supplies )
Martin Myers