I have a small N scale layout that I have divided into 3 power districts using an NCE EB3 short curcuit protection device.
The EB3 works fine below the layout when I short the main power bus wires, but above the layout it doesnt kick in at all.
Does anyone have any ideas what I could do to make it work?
The first thing that comes to mind is not enough feeder wires to the buss after the EB3s. Putting more feeders will eliminate the resistance from the rail joiners.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Your comment that you're shorting the main power bus wires under the layout doesn't have anything to do with the PB3, because your main DCC system's circuit breaker is tripping, not the PB3. The PB3 should trip when one of its outputs is being shorted, not the input. If shorting the output wires don't cause the PB3 to trip, then your wire gauge is probably too small.
Thanks, I should clarify, The wiring sequence is as follows....
15 volt power supply...NCE power booster... NCE radio base station... NCE EB3...Heavy main power bus wires....lighter track feeder wires.. track.
When the main power bus wires are shorted (after the EB3) the EB3 cuts the power and the leds flash to indicate it has performed its task. However at the track level the EB3 does not cut out.
Thanks Pete,
I'll give it a try.
Cheers
Steve
Depending on your layout size, you should have a decent gauge bus. and as noted earlier, plenty of feeder wires. You'd be surprised how much loss a joiner adds to the circuit.
Springfield PA
Hi Guys,
Thanks for your comments, I shorted the track right next to the track feed wires for that section, so no track joiners anywhere near the short.
Surely the short would take the quickest path back to the EB3??
The Power bus wires are 2mm power cables, the track feed wires are 1mm thick. (copper thickness).
Any other ideas?
What are you using for feeders? Are the wires soldered onto the track or are they rail joiners with soldered wires on them?
Well fellas, progress is being made. I have twisted together all of the main power bus wires and taken out any of the track feed wires that I didnt need.
It would seem that too many track feed wires can cause more of a problem than not enough.
There are still a couple of places around the layout where the EB3 wont shut down the power district, but we are getting there.
Cheers for your input.
I can;t see how too many feeders would be a problem, unless some of them were accidently connected ahead of the EB43 - in which case you'd get the results you were seeing.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
NCE's advice is that too many track feed wires can cause a "sneak around".
The short curcuit is scattered and doesnt give a clear signal to the EB3.
It seems to be a combination of different things.