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Wiring a turntable track on a DCC layout Locked

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  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Baltimore, MD
  • 1,726 posts
Wiring a turntable track on a DCC layout
Posted by CSX_road_slug on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 6:49 PM

When I built my previous layout, it was before I had adopted DCC.  I wired the track on my [non-motorized] turntable with a DPDT switch to flip the polarity, since I knew I'd have to do this in a straight DC environment.  Do I still need to do that on my new layout if I'm running DCC, since the signal is AC and any decoder already "knows" which way is forward/reverse?

TIA...

-Ken in Maryland  (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 8:49 PM

You will need to flip the polarity - The A & B rails still need to be flipped even though it is AC.  Get a DCC auto reverse unit to handle it.  What kind of TT, and is it wired for ring rail or slip rings on teh center shaft?

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Baltimore, MD
  • 1,726 posts
Posted by CSX_road_slug on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 9:32 PM

jrbernier

 What kind of TT, and is it wired for ring rail or slip rings on teh center shaft?

It's a Walthers 90-footer, the older type that had to be assembled.  It uses center shaft slip rings.

I found the original DPDT switch that I used before, I just re-hooked up that one.  I'll keep your idea in mind [to get the DCC auto reverser], if I find the TT gets more use than I originally planned.  My mrr budget is a bit tight these days...

Thanks for the reply!

-Ken in Maryland  (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Oak Harbor Wa.
  • 148 posts
Posted by Sierra Man on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 9:47 PM

I have the walthers 90ft. table. I have a Digi-trax AR-1 auto reverse unit. It is not very much money

and works great. Easy 4 wire hookup. An MRC 2400 power pack is used for turning the table. It gives me good control for aligning tracks.

Phil, CEO, Eastern Sierra Pacific Railroad.  We know where you are going, before you do!

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