PM42 Wired Into A Wye - Just Checking....

[almo]

I have a trackplan in mind, and it's basically a loop around the room and a yard connected on a wye off into the middle of the room.

I am going to install a Digitrax PM42 to help seperate the mainline into two sections. The yard, and a seperate small branchline will occupy the other two blocks of the PM42. Is it okay to wire one section of the PM42 as a leg of the wye without running into trouble? Or do I need any other device to help with polarity reversing?

It's probably a basic question, but I don't want to risk doing too much damage.....

Thanks for all your help.

[jrbernier]

Each of the 4 sections of a PM42 can be wired as a Power District or as a Reversing Section - But not both at the same time.  The PM42 section can be wired as a Reversing Section, but is not as sensitive as a dedicated Reverser like an AR1.  Digitrax does not even recommend it as a Reverser when you talk to their techie's.

Jim

[almo]

Thanks for the clarification. Looks like I need an AR1 too.

almo

[Stevert]

In addition to what Jim said, Digitrax also no longer recommends one circuit breaker section of a PM42 feeding another section of the same PM42 that's used as a reverser.

But the AR1 works well with the PM42, as long as you follow the Digitrax application notes about which trip speed the PM42 section feeding the AR1 should be set at.

I have two AR1's on my layout, both fed from the same PM42 section (that doesn't feed anything else).  They work just fine, even with sound locos.