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Need an auto reverser

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,667 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
  • 21,481 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
  • 807 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
  • 7,667 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
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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"

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