Is there any jerkiness or train stoppage during the short circuit detection or polarity reversal? Is there a superior product and why? Thank you
And does sound drop out?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I have had that problem when the train was too long for the reversing loop. When the engine touched the exit gaps, there were still cars rolling over the entry gaps.
I also had this problem when using Digitax AR-1 reversers. It happened mostly with multiple locomotive consist. The AR-1 just wasn't fast enough and at times the relay seemed to hang up.
I now use PSX-AR reversers from Tony's Train Exchange. Not only do they reverse the track polarity but also through the switch. They are all electronic and extremely fast. No jerkiness, just a smooth transition.
I have two PSX-ARs and they work silently and flawlessly without a hitch.
Haven't gotten around to wiring up the one AR-1 I have.
Three Hex Frog Juicers (18 frogs total) also work silently in the background. It is similar to an autoreverser but on a smaller scale.
regards, Ed
My AR1 has been pretty fast, but occasionally causes a "hiccup" ...
I have two AR-1s and have had zero issues with them. No jerkiness or sound cut-out. Only the faintest "click" sound when it reverses polarity. Just be sure to follow the instructions on adjusting the sensitivity.
Mike
I hve two AR-1's that work well, even with mu'ed sound locos. No jerkiness, stoppage, or sound cutouts.
PSX-AR's are supposed to work "better" than the AR-1 because they're solid-state rather than relay-based, but they're more than twice the cost of the AR-1.
You may need to adjust the trip current settings on the reversers.
I use a couple of older PS-REVs, the predecessors of the PSX-ARs. They are solid state and work very well, even after 10 years of service.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Stevert I hve two AR-1's that work well, even with mu'ed sound locos. No jerkiness, stoppage, or sound cutouts. PSX-AR's are supposed to work "better" than the AR-1 because they're solid-state rather than relay-based, but they're more than twice the cost of the AR-1.
True, but the AR-1s won't throw the switch and they don't have a circut breaker in them like the PSX-ARs.
SouthPenn Stevert I hve two AR-1's that work well, even with mu'ed sound locos. No jerkiness, stoppage, or sound cutouts. PSX-AR's are supposed to work "better" than the AR-1 because they're solid-state rather than relay-based, but they're more than twice the cost of the AR-1. True, but the AR-1s won't throw the switch and they don't have a circut breaker in them like the PSX-ARs.
You are correct, the AR-1 does not have those features.
But if you don't need your auto-reversers to perform those functions (I don't), it's nothing but added cost with no benefit.
If you have a simple balloon loop where the auto turnout throw woudl work, you don;t really need an autoreverser - just a relay triggered b the switch machine contacts (and that only because most switch machine contacts are only rated to switch 1 amp or less). A DPDT relay wired as a reversing switch feeding power to the isolated loop trackage, and then the relay coil triggered by a switch machine contact will reverse the loop to match the main automatically when the turnout is thrown to allow the train to pass. Cheap, effective, and no shorts.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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