Ok I need some help. I am having an issue with bith of my straight reversing section's. I am using 2 AR1's...one for each section. I have wired and rewired both section's as well as swapped each on to the other track to see if there was a problem. Each section has insulated rail joiners at each end a track length away from the switch. I have tweaked the pot on the Ar1 to try and dial in the amperage but I am having no luck.
The problem I am having is the Loco can some times enter the reversiing section ok but trips my Digitrax Zeypher when it comes out. Either direction some times it trips when it enters and then again after I have pulled it through.
I am feeding the Ar1 from the main bus and have the feeder for the reversiing section in the middle of the reversing section. The reversing section's are about 3.5 feet and 4.5 feet long.
I am about to pull what little hair I have left right out!! I have a call in to Digitrax but i am still waiting on a call back. Does ANYONE out there have any possible solutiuons??
Thanks
Dana
Dana, a lot of thoughts come to mind about this problem. Assuming that neither AR-1 is faulty and that the TTC on each auto-reverser is adjusted appropriately, what you describe should work. So, let's go through some investigative work.
Are you only running locos through the reversing sections or entire trains. If entire trains, are any of them longer than the reversing section?
You say that the reversing sections of track are straight sections. Are there any turnouts inside the reversing sections? Are both rails gapped at each end of the reversing section and are the gaps across from each other or are they staggered?
Are you sure that the rails connecting to the insulated rail joiners are not touching each other?
Are you sure that the feeders to the input side of each auto-reverser are connected to the main bus wires? Are you sure that the feeder wires from each reversing section are connected to the output side of the appropriate auto-reverser?
Rich
Alton Junction
Train length is most likely the problem here - do your cars have metal wheels? You're probably bridging the entrance side gaps with metal wheels (or lighted cars, if you have lighted passenger cars that get power from the rails, or a lighted caboose, or a car with a working FRED on the back) at the same time the loco is crossing the exit gaps, so the AR-1 needs to be in both positions at the same time, which it can't, so there is a short and it trips the Zephyr breaker.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I had no end of problem on a reversing section in my track until I discovered that I was feeding power to my frog improperly. Once I reversed the feed wires to the one frog the AR1 working flawlessly - which it probably was doing all along because it was a frog feed wire problem.
Worth checking?
Hey Rich,
I am only tesing it with loco's, there are no turn outs...only in from a turn out and out from a turn out, off and back on to the main line. Both reversing sections have insuloated rail joiners at each end paralell to each other, not off set. I can feel the gap beteen the rails...otherwise I would not be able to run anything. As of not my layout is all one power district.
I am absolutely sure that the AR1 is being feed from the main bus line and that the output is feeding the reversing section.
I do have a PM42 from digitrax that I was going to split my layout in to 2 districts but I have not wired it in, I wanted to get this issue solved first before I try to tackle all the wiring that goes with the PM42. I am completely at a loss here. I don't believe both AR1's are faulty so I hope its something minor I am overlooking. BUT as far as I know I have followed all of the instrustion to the letter.
Dana, we are probably going to need to see a track diagram here. Can you provide one?
What kind of turnouts are you using?
Dana - In your original post you mentioned having two "straight reversing sections" and two AR1's. Are those two reversing sections back to back? That's generally not a good idea.
I agree with Rich that a track diagram that shows your reversing section gaps and wiring would be helpful.
As soo as I figure out how to post my drawing I will put it up.
Being new to DCC at the time I was having the same problem with my two AR1 powered reverse loops and posted my problem here at the time. I was running just an engine like you are to test the AR1's. While the engine would enter the loop ok it always tripped the command station leaving it.
I believe it was Randy who suggested extending the DB150 short circuit trip time from the default 1/8 second to 1/2 second - in other words delay the time before the DB150 shuts down to allow the AR1 to react first, which it did. Having done this I now had control of the AR1 trip adjustments to where the engine no longer stopped leaving the loop - but the quarter test would trip the AR1 first/before the command station.
Changing the command station default short circuit trip timing was accomplished by disconnecting my DB150 from the track and unplugging the LocoNet cables from it. In other words electrically isolate the command station. Once done - per the DB150 manual - it was a matter of moving the Mode switch on the DB150 to "OP" then connecting my DT402 throttle directly to the DB150 and using the throttle to change the command station default trip time from 1/8 to 1/2 second per the manual instructions.
I can't speak to whether the Zepher short circuit time can be extended in the same manner but a call to Digitrax or checking your manual for "Customizing Your Option Switch Setup" (or words to this effect) should tell you. Bottom line, extending my DB150 command station trip timing was the key to "normal" AR1 reverse loop operation.
Just to mention I am using a PM42 for 3-track section protection along with the two AR1's for reversing. And I used a breakout printed circuit board for the PM42 which has (4) sets of A, B terminal lugs hard wired to the multi pin connector that the PM42 board just plugs into. No hassle of hand wiring the connector to the PM42 board.... just plug it in and connect your A and B track sections. You can buy the breakout board from Acculite. http://acculites.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=574
WELL I have to tell you "Over50" thanks to your post I looked at the booster and changed the option settinigs for the overload trip time from 1/8 to 1/2 second and I AM IN HEAVEN. It finnaly worked the way it should have. I never thought about looking at the booster but I guess that's why they say you should read all the instructions. Thank you all SO very much for your help with this... now I can move on and try to figure out how to light up all of our buildings and figure out how to make our track side signal lights function properly.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN
You asked if there are any turnouts in the reversing section? How does this affect the AR1? Does the turn out have to be outside of the reversing section? Also, should I locomotive be able to back through a reversing section? Every time I try to back through a locomotive it shorts out as it leaves the reversing section.
Start a new thread, my friend, in this same forum, you'll get more attention, and more help.
This thread is 4 years old.
Mike
My You Tube
northeast_train_guy_1965 You asked if there are any turnouts in the reversing section? How does this affect the AR1? Does the turn out have to be outside of the reversing section? Also, should I locomotive be able to back through a reversing section? Every time I try to back through a locomotive it shorts out as it leaves the reversing section.
mbinsewi Start a new thread, my friend, in this same forum, you'll get more attention, and more help. This thread is 4 years old. Mike
Mike is right. Starting a new thread would be a better way to draw attention to your issue.
But, let me comment on your question.
No, turnouts do not need to be outside the reversing section. But, I asked the question about turnouts in that 4-year old reply because without a track diagram it was impossible to advise the OP about potential wiring and gapping issues.
Turnouts can certainly be part of a reversing section, but since a turnout lead to other track work, a faulty reversing section may be the result of the wiring and/or gapping that takes place beyond the turnout.
And, yes, a locomotive should be able to move in either direction into and out of a reversing section. If a locomotive enters a reversing section without a short occurring, then it should be able to reverse direction and successfully exit the reversing section. If it cannot, then something is wrong with the wiring, the gapping, or both.
By the way, what type of turnouts are you using?
So, start a new thread and include a track diagram.
.
Same advice, start a new thread, with a relevant title like Reversing Issues or AR1 Problem, not something like Oh No! or Gotta Problem
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Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley