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Polarity and Isolators

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  • Member since
    March 2018
  • 13 posts
Polarity and Isolators
Posted by FlyBoy on Monday, April 2, 2018 10:11 AM

Boys!

I need some help. I'm almost finished my layout the Midland Central Atlas #29. I did make minor modifications which I guess was a msitake. I'm new to the hobby so the reverse loop stuff I find confusing.

If I were to sketch my layout with the isolators I have installed would anyone be able to tell me why at the 12.5 deg. crossing on the right side of the track is shorting out?

It's rather odd. As long as I stay away from about 1" of track, that being on the crossing itself, the ENTIRE track works great. No issues. All in correct consistant direction as well. As soon as I try to use the crossing the system shorts.

I'm worried I messed things up to the point that I will never be able to use that crossing because everything else works.

Your experinced help in electronics would be so much appreciated.

I'm assuming you need a sketch on the changes I made?

Richard

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, April 2, 2018 11:11 AM

Yes, a sketch is needed. By the way, DC or DCC?

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
    March 2018
  • 13 posts
Posted by FlyBoy on Monday, April 2, 2018 11:40 AM

Dc.

 I'll send a sketch.

If I move to DCC would it fix the problem?

  • Member since
    March 2018
  • 13 posts
Posted by FlyBoy on Monday, April 2, 2018 11:56 AM

20180402_124452

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Posted by FlyBoy on Monday, April 2, 2018 11:57 AM

How can I place a picture here?

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, April 2, 2018 12:04 PM

FlyBoy
How can I place a picture here?

You have to read the manual  

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/249194.aspx

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
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Posted by FlyBoy on Monday, April 2, 2018 12:08 PM

Ok. I will.

 

I can we do e-mails? I'm new to this stuff!

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Posted by FlyBoy on Monday, April 2, 2018 12:13 PM
  • Member since
    March 2018
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Posted by FlyBoy on Monday, April 2, 2018 12:14 PM

I hope it worked. The locomotive shorts right where it shows in the second picture. 

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Monday, April 2, 2018 1:48 PM

I'm not the resident track wiring expert in here, but that "Y" that you have needs one track isolated, with a reversing section.  And with all of those cross overs you have, I wouldn't know where to start.

DCC would NOT make it easier, you'll still need a reversing section/switch, and more plastic rail joiners to isolate track, both rails.

The side with two tracks in the "Y" will probably need two reversing set-ups.

I think you should get a track wiring book, and read, and study diagrams.

Mike.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, April 2, 2018 2:09 PM

FlyBoy

Ok. I will.

 

I can we do e-mails? I'm new to this stuff!

 

It is called, PM.

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
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, April 2, 2018 4:49 PM

pic 1

 

pic 2

 

 Click on the person's name that you want to send an email to.  The option is start a conversation
 
 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 8:24 AM

FlyBoy
It's rather odd. As long as I stay away from about 1" of track, that being on the crossing itself, the ENTIRE track works great. No issues.

I'm bumping your thread, because I'm not very good at Wye's and I don't think you've gotten the best answer.

To me it looks like there has to be a problem in two places, at the top and bottom of the mainline where the Wye enters.  The upper and lower right side limbs of the Wye are isolated.  However a loco that leaves the mainline and enters the wye, can back down the opposite limb of the wye and be pointed in the opposite direction when it gets to the main (from the way it had been on the main) on both top and bottom limbs of the wye.

About 60% down on this page is a DCC wye, followed by a DC wye.  It explains where the switches go.

http://www.building-your-model-railroad.com/model-railroad-wiring.html

As far as I know, the autoreverses for DCC do not work in DC, however people have been using reversing loops for years without autoreversers.

We have had a couple threads on pure crossing problems, but until the reversing problem is sorted out, we cannot know if you have a separate crossing issue.

 

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 8:35 AM

I've always liked that web site, I just keep forgetting about it.

Mike.

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