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New electrical problem

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  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 12 posts
New electrical problem
Posted by sighchris on Sunday, July 21, 2013 3:04 PM

Guys,

here is my problem.  I have my switches wired to frog juicer.  The locomotive goes through the switch with no issues but it stalls after it crosses the new section.  This new section has insulated rail joiners to it.  This new section has power it and who you run a loco on it separate from the switch it is fine.

So the problem is at the gap?  What can I do to make sure the loco goes through this gap with no power loss?

i am baffled.

help!

thanks

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Eastern Shore Virginia
  • 3,290 posts
Posted by gandydancer19 on Sunday, July 21, 2013 3:55 PM

The first thing that comes to mind is that the polarity on the new section is wrong or backwards.

Elmer.

The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.

(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Sunday, July 21, 2013 4:00 PM

Sighchris,

It sounds to me that the new section,you mention,when you say the loco stalls,,is not stalling,it is shorting out,,because the polarity is different..test for the same polarity,+and-,coming out of the switch and the new section as you say,,,the polarity should be the same +and-..

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Mount Vernon WA
  • 968 posts
Posted by skagitrailbird on Sunday, July 21, 2013 5:08 PM

Are you running DC or DCC?

Roger Johnson
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Sunday, July 21, 2013 6:08 PM

Need a little more info here. What make of turnouts? If the frogs are dead and fed with a juicer then why would there be an insulated joiner after it? Reverse loop or wye? Please call them turnouts and not switches. When you say switch it could mean something else.

             Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Sunday, July 21, 2013 7:19 PM

OK I went back to your earlier posts and saw you used Fast tracks jigs. Make absolutely sure the frogs are dead before wiring to the juicer. Unless there is a reverse loop or wye then lose the insulated joiner. The rail between the frog and insulated joiner is dead and has no power. A basic understanding of the flow of electricity will help you tremendously.

           Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 12 posts
Posted by sighchris on Sunday, July 21, 2013 8:12 PM

Guys,

i am using the micro - engineering dcc ready turnouts for this setup.  I will check the polarity and see if we are on the same page.

stay tune for more info.

chris

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Conway SC
  • 222 posts
Posted by wmshay06 on Sunday, July 21, 2013 8:24 PM

Chris

Check the polarity is a good thing - always. But there may be something more fundamental at play.

Keep in mind that on the ME DCC turnouts that the frog is gapped from all rails.  This will mean that the two rails just beyond the frog will require feeders in order to assure power to the rails.  If you are using insulated rail joiners on these rails (or some other gap) before the next track component, these rails will now be dead without the feeders. Any loco hitting these sections will stop unless the feeders have been added.

Charles

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 12 posts
Posted by sighchris on Monday, July 22, 2013 8:45 PM

I did run feeders to these two rails.  I will check the polarity next to see what if that is an issue.

thanks for insight

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