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reverse loop

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  • Member since
    December 2011
  • 7 posts
reverse loop
Posted by driver20 on Saturday, July 28, 2012 11:34 PM

I have a new layout in which the upper level is actually a big reverse loop. I am now trying to wire the layout and am dropping my feeder wires from the rail.  My question is, my main bus wire runs upto the loop at which point there is a reverse loop module.  Does my power feed for the rail in this loop have to come off that reverse loop module or can I just continue with the power feed that funs up to the loop?  {I hope you can understand this}

 

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, July 29, 2012 1:31 PM

You need to power the reverse loop off the reverser module.

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

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Sunday, July 29, 2012 1:36 PM

driver20

I have a new layout in which the upper level is actually a big reverse loop. I am now trying to wire the layout and am dropping my feeder wires from the rail.  My question is, my main bus wire runs upto the loop at which point there is a reverse loop module.  Does my power feed for the rail in this loop have to come off that reverse loop module or can I just continue with the power feed that funs up to the loop?  {I hope you can understand this}

 

 

Look at the below link. He has a lot of good DCC info. The reversers come with instructions.

http://www.wiringfordcc.com/intro2dcc.htm#a26

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    February 2008
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Posted by maxman on Sunday, July 29, 2012 4:29 PM

driver20

I have a new layout in which the upper level is actually a big reverse loop. I am now trying to wire the layout and am dropping my feeder wires from the rail.  My question is, my main bus wire runs upto the loop at which point there is a reverse loop module.  Does my power feed for the rail in this loop have to come off that reverse loop module or can I just continue with the power feed that funs up to the loop?  {I hope you can understand this}

 

I'm not entirely clear what you're asking.  If you connected the bus wires to the reverse loop section directly, then there would not be a need for a reverser.

So you need a connection from your main bus leads to the input side of the reverser, and then you'd  run from the output side of the reverser to the reversing section.

If you have a need to run your bus wires beyond the point where the reversing module is to connect to other parts of the railroad that are not in the reversing section, then what you'd do would be to tap off the bus to get to the module while the bus goes on to other areas.

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
  • 8,639 posts
Posted by Texas Zepher on Sunday, July 29, 2012 4:39 PM

The short answers are:

driver20
I have a new layout in which the upper level is actually a big reverse loop. My question is, my main bus wire runs upto the loop at which point there is a reverse loop module.  Does my power feed for the rail in this loop have to come off that reverse loop module

Yes.

or can I just continue with the power feed that funs up to the loop? 

No, if this was possible why would the reversing module be needed?

The long answer is that it depends upon where the insulating joiners or gaps in the rails for the reversing loop are.    Nothing says one cannot run the main line power part way into the loop.  As long as some place in the loop is totally isolated and connected to the reversing module it will work.    It is always a good practice to have the section of track powered by the reversing module slightly longer than the longest train to be run.  This is doubly important if you have metal wheel on any or all of your cars.  Otherwise the locomotives could be telling the reversing module to reverse while the wheels on the end are telling it to stay the same.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, July 30, 2012 5:06 AM

The replies that you have received so far are consistent, and they are correct.

Feeder wires from the rails of any track inside the reverse loop must not be attached to the main bus wires.  Otherwise, a short will occur.

You don't say whether your layout is DC or DCC.  Which is it?

Rich

Alton Junction

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