Test the loco - I bet it's not picking up properly. No way such a big loco shoudl stall on a #4 dead frog - unless it's actually bnding because of the tight angle of the turnout. If you lift the front truck off, the loco should still run, also if you lift just the rear truck off. Those locos have all wheel pickup. If it fails with oen truck definitely on the rails and one truck off, either one of the pickup wires is disconnected or it has rather dirty wheels or pickups.
By all 3 legs I mean exactly that, 6 total feed wires around a turnout, two on the point end, two on the straight through route and two on the diverging route. Atlas turnouts do not need insulated joints on the frog side due to the way they are wired, plus all those feeders makes sure that all parts of the turnout are powered and not just by the pressure of the points against the stock rails.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Hi Randy,
Right now I am running Custom Line #4. When you mean feeders on all 3 legs that would be wire power on all 3 points of the switch? Locos Im running are all Broadway Limited newer models. Like the UP AC6000 Paragon 2. It always stalls.
Good to know on the power, I need to get a DC pack, any recommendations on a new one or is it best to just go to a local store and see if they have any used ones?
Put feeders on all 3 legs. Which Atlas turnouts are they? If they are Custom Line, you can power the frogs, but you will need to add either ATlas Snap Relays or use a different switch machine like a Torotise that has contacts for such purposes. What sort of locos are you running? I never did power any of my Atlas frogs and did not have stalling problems - but I did have feeder wires on all 3 legs.
No you cannot run the switch machines from the Zephyr's power. You need something like an old DC power pack, using the AC terminals feeding the Atlas switch boxes. A capacitor discharge supply like the Circuitron Snapper will prevent frying the coils from holding the button down too long or the button getting stuck.
I have wired a small layout just to get my feet wet before designing my larger layout. Wanted to make sure I have all of the wiring understood. I have wired a layout following Atlas' instructions and I am getting pauses on my locos when they cross over my turnouts. Is there something else I need to be wiring to correct this, or is there a better turnout to purchase that is more reliable i.e. a Peco or other brand?
Also when wiring switch controls, can I power off of my Digitrax Zephyr by adding the Atlas 56 switch to my Atlas 205 connector. I was testing it last night and the switches were not moving. I accidently melted one holding the button down for too long.
Rob