this is my new layout n have this question in picture shows reverse loop the inside track is the reverse loop is this gud or bad an yes they are gaped at the switches so what do i need for them to work right im in ho scale n im using dcc
Hi -
Basically, it's very easy to wire reverse loops in DCC. The best way is by using an auto-reverser. Digitrax makes the AR1, and Tony's Trains (as DCC Specialties) makes the PSX-AR. There are others available, too. You will need an auto-reversrer for each loop. If you are on a very tight budget, you can use a douible-pole, double-throw toggle switch, but then you have to remember to flip the toggle manually at the right point.
Where did you gap the tracks? The crossovers between your inner and outer loops are potential trouble spots. If the gaps are in the right place, you should be fine. If you've got a diagram of the whole track plan, that would help us look for problems.
And please use proper capitalization and puctuation, OK? Many of us grew up in the era when nuns would take you down to the basement and beat you senseless with a rubber hose for what is now somehow "acceptable" on-line streaming.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley,
You must have gone to same school I did!!!! Ha Ha!!!
Frank
On each one make the loop the reversing section, not the area between the switches. The larger it is the better.
Springfield PA
As they say, as long as you've gapped the rails correctly, the reversing loop is no problem.
On a different topic, hate to say it but the second photo shows a couple of S-curves that are likely to cause you grief.
You have created a reverse loop in that the track folds back into itself. So, you need to place gaps in the rails in two places just before the track folds back onto itself in order to completely isolate the reverse loop from the main layout. Also where the two turnouts form a crossover between the reverse loop and the main layout, you need to cut gaps between the two turnouts. Otherwise, when you flip the polarity by means of an auto-reverser or DPDT switch, you will short the main layout.
Rich
Alton Junction
@ richhotrain : you mean the first turnout i gap it there to rite were it cross to the next turnout an how i go by making a diagram so i can post in here thanks all :)
Take a look at the diagram that follows. The circles represent the locations of the gaps at the ends of the turnout that creates the reverse loop. The idea is to isolate the entire loop from the rest of the layout.
You also need to gap the rails between the two turnouts that form the crossover from the reverse loop to the main layout as shown in the diagram. The idea is to isolate the first half of the crossover as part of the reverse loop. Otherwise, when the polarity is reversed, a short will occur at the point of the crossover from the reverse loop to the main layout.
GOT IT THANKS ON THAT KNOW ...... :) so i do that on the other side to ????
cxsroch07 GOT IT THANKS ON THAT KNOW ...... :) so i do that on the other side to ????
I am not sure what you mean by "the other side".
The diagram is showing the track as a single line, but that means that you have to gap two rails at each point circled. So, including the crossover, you need to gap six rails in that diagram.
On his original post it looks like 2 pics of the same loop. But if you look closely it's actually 2 different loops.
Hamltnblue On his original post it looks like 2 pics of the same loop. But if you look closely it's actually 2 different loops.
Hamltnblue is correct. I was trying to follow the lines of your layout, but I may have inadvertently confused you.
I have prepared a new diagram which, hopefully, will clarify the situation. The two rails of each track are shown in red and blue. The six required gaps are shown as black circles.
At the lower left, you can see where the point of reverse polarity occurs as the reverse loop folds back onto itself. The mismatch in the color of the rails indicates reverse polarities where the reverse loop folds back onto itself.
At the upper right, the two turnouts forming the crossover need to be gapped where the turnouts connect to prevent a short when the polarities are flipped. By placing gaps in the rails between the turnouts, the reverse loop will be completely isolated from the main layout.
Hope that clarifies the situation for you.
RIch
Actually I meant there's 2 different Loops. In other words the first picture is on one end of a dogbone layout and the second is a picture of the other end of the dogbone.
Hamltnblue Actually I meant there's 2 different Loops. In other words the first picture is on one end of a dogbone layout and the second is a picture of the other end of the dogbone.
Oh, I see what you were saying and what he was asking.
Thanks, HB.
so do i gap the other loop same way right
Yes, just move the gaps to the same spots based on the turnout locations.
I noticed that you have a crossover track between your inner reverse loop and your outer track. There has to be three double gaps (gaps across both tracks) for this reverse to work properly.
Gap the crossover track as well as both ends of the reverse loop. If you are using an Autoreverse such as the AR-1, Do not wire the reverse loop section to your mainline bus. The reverse loop should only get its power from the autoreverser.
well i see i was going to have problems there so i changed all of this know it looks much better i think ill post pics soon thanks :)