Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Need an auto reverser

3054 views
11 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,670 posts
Need an auto reverser
Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 11:26 AM

I have basically a large Y that leads into a yard from two directions so one leg needs a reverser. Was thinking of an AR1. It is a fairly small layout.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,484 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 1:17 PM

I still have two old auto-reversers from DCC Specialties.  They could be 15 years old now, and still working perfectly.  They are solid state units.  I think the AR1 is relay based.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Morristown, NJ
  • 812 posts
Posted by nealknows on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 4:27 PM

Is your layout DC or DCC? If DC, I saw Circuitron makes the AR-1. If DCC I use DCC Specialties PSX-AR and they work like a charm. 

Neal

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 4:47 PM

nealknows

Is your layout DC or DCC? If DC, I saw Circuitron makes the AR-1. If DCC I use DCC Specialties PSX-AR and they work like a charm.  

Circuitron AR-1 should not be confused with Digitrax AR-1. The Circuitron auto-reverser is for a DC setup. The Digitrax AR-1 is for a DCC setup.

The Digitrax AR-1 is a relay based unit, and for smaller layouts without any solid state devices it works just fine.

The only time that I ever encountered a conflict was when I had a few Digitrax AR-1s in place and subsequently installed PSX circuit breakers. The PSX circuit breakers are solid state and react quicker than the Digitrax AR-1, shutting down the power district before the AR-1 can reverse the polarity. 

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 5:23 PM

By the way, Digitrax is aware of this naming conflict. Not sure what Circuitron was thinking when it picked the name AR-1. The name already belonged to Digitrax.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,670 posts
Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 6:40 PM

Was talking Digitrax, thought you couldn't do a reverser electronicly in DC.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 6:55 PM

rrebell
thought you couldn't do a reverser electronicly in DC. Add Quote to

There site leaves much to be desired, but they say it can handle DC reversing loops in the instructions.   They use opti-sensors

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Canada
  • 1,284 posts
Posted by wickman on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 3:05 PM

I'm using Dcc Specialties OGAR onguard, I've had them for probably 15 years. I just reconnected into my new layout. Super easy to connect , just have to stagger the joints a bit.

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
  • 2,311 posts
Posted by jjdamnit on Saturday, December 26, 2020 2:04 PM

Hello All,

Has it been determined that the OP is running DC or DCC?

Hope this helps.

 

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, December 27, 2020 5:25 PM

jjdamnit
Has it been determined that the OP is running DC or DCC? \.

I'm pretty sure he is a recent convert to DCC

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, December 27, 2020 11:26 PM

BigDaddy
 
jjdamnit
Has it been determined that the OP is running DC or DCC? \.

I'm pretty sure he is a recent convert to DCC

Yeah, I think that is right. He must be DCC if he is considering the AR1.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
  • 2,311 posts
Posted by jjdamnit on Monday, December 28, 2020 10:29 AM

Hello All,

I have had good luck with the MRC AD 520 Auto Reverser for the wye on my pike.

Look around, I found several at less than the MSRP.

Hope this helps.

 

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!