Thanks to all who responded to my request for help. I successfully re-wired the WYE last night and everything works. It was wired incorrectly, and all the discussion helped me suss out what was wrong.
owen w in california In the application I described (a branch line junction with a main line): 1) should the AR-1 be connected to the Main line track/bus or to the Branch-line track/bus (in addition to the isolated section)? And, 2) does it matter if the AR-1 is connected directly to the track or can it be connected to the track bus? It seems like it wouldn't matter.
In the application I described (a branch line junction with a main line): 1) should the AR-1 be connected to the Main line track/bus or to the Branch-line track/bus (in addition to the isolated section)? And, 2) does it matter if the AR-1 is connected directly to the track or can it be connected to the track bus? It seems like it wouldn't matter.
The AR1 should be connected to the main line bus wires by using feeder wires. It need not be connected directly to the rails.
The AR1 has an input side and an output side. Feeders from the main bus wires should be wired to the input side of the AR1, and feeder wires from the output side of the AR1 should be wired to the reversing section. The reversing section should be completely isolated from the main layout by gaps in the rails, and no feeder wires from the reversing section should be connected to the main bus wires.
Rich
Alton Junction
Diamond Jim Thanks retsignalmtr. That's what I thought but wasn't sure. One more thing, Is it correct that the power to the reversing section goes through the AR1. Would it be incorrect to wire the reverse section to the main bus
Thanks retsignalmtr. That's what I thought but wasn't sure. One more thing, Is it correct that the power to the reversing section goes through the AR1. Would it be incorrect to wire the reverse section to the main bus
It would be incorrect to wire the reversing section to the main bus. That would short the system.
A train length should be fine. As long as no powered units, lighted cars, or cars with metal wheels can be crossing the entrnace to the branch side of the wye and where the isolated section ends along the branch at the same time, you will be fine. The AR-1 will flip as the train enters that leg of the wyw, assuming the phase does not match. If the phase on the rest of the branch does not match, the AR-1 will flip again as the train leaves the isolated section. All good.
--Randy
Thanks Randy: That's what I expected. Two follow up questions: In the application I described (a branch line junction with a main line): 1) should the AR-1 be connected to the Main line track/bus or to the Branch-line track/bus (in addition to the isolated section)? And, 2) does it matter if the AR-1 is connected directly to the track or can it be connected to the track bus? It seems like it wouldn't matter.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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Slightly different application for a WYE : If one leg of the WYE is a branchline, is it necessary for the reversing section to include the entire branchline? OR could the AR-1 be isolated to a trainlength reversing section, and the remaining portion of the branch operate normally? Could a second engine operate on the remaining portion of the branch? Thanks. .
The bus is where one side would typically connect. The other side would be to the reversing section.
Springfield PA
Yes the power for the tail track will go through the AR-1. Wire the input of the AR-1 to the DCC buss or to the rails on the main near the WYE, with the output going to the rails on the tail track.
Having the AR1 on a WYE with two different power districts leading to it should not be a factor. It is all the same power except it's coming through two different circuit breakers. Connect main of the AR-1 to whichever district you choose and the other pair to the tail track of the WYE you want to reverse. Insulate all four rails on the switch leading into the tail track..
Can you draw a diagram for us to view?
I have a wye where the diagonal branches of the Y are two different subdistricts connected to a Digitrax PM42. The upright of the Y is the section I want to use as a dead end reverse section. How would that be wired?