Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

reversing loop problem

1667 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Westchester NY
  • 1,747 posts
Posted by retsignalmtr on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 4:05 PM

Feed the loop track on both sides of the switch. Probably you have a power routing switch there and when it is set for the spur track it cuts off power to the loop beyond the frog. Just run another set of feeders from your reversing unit to the loop beyond the frog. Observe the proper polarity of the feeders

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 6:02 AM

Can you provide us with a track diagram?  That would make it easier to visualize your problem.

If you can post a diagram, show us where you have gapped the rails.

Also, if it is a reverse loop, what are you using to reverse polarities?  Are you using an auto-reverse unit or a toggle switch?

Are the Peco switches Insulfrog or Electrofrog?

Look forward to more information.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 10:50 PM

Peco makes two kinds of turnouts, insulfrog and electrofrog.  If you have insulfrog turnouts, the track which is not selected will not have power applied to both rails, only the one for which the turnout is set.  Depending on your feeders to the track , you may be depending on the turnout to route power, which it will not do in some configurations.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Okaloosa Co, FL
  • 1 posts
Posted by Okaloosan on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 9:20 PM

Hi,Pabdo

I may be reading this wrong, but I think you have a reversing loop which has both ends into a single turnout.  Is that right?

If your spur comes off the reversing loop and doesn't connect to any other tracks, you don't need gaps at the spur turnout, just power the spur from the reversing loop track power bus.   The reversing loop bus should be powered from the output connections of an auto-reverse circuit.  I like the PSX-AR, as it is all solid-state -- no mechanical relays -- and it switches silently and FAST.

You do need both rails gapped between the turnout and both routes into the loop. Also make sure the frog has reliable power to it with the points thrown both ways.

Bill B

South Okaloosa N Scalers

Tags: DCC , auto reverse

Bill B

N Scaling in Okaloosa

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • 23 posts
reversing loop problem
Posted by mandprr on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 7:36 PM

this is probably a common problem but I cannot seem to find the 'fix'. using dcc, the loop has a spur coming off which is powered properly. when the switch is thrown the power is lost between the gapped junction at the beginning of the loop and the switch. yes, there is still power to the spur which is gapped. I 'am using peco switches and this switch is not causing a short. can I assume that one of the rail joiners on the outside rail is not transmitting power? thanks for your help. pabdo

Tags: Wiring

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!