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DCC Shorting Problem with Switch?

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  • Member since
    January 2020
  • 8 posts
Posted by Spankyty on Thursday, January 7, 2021 8:13 PM

There we go... I was only using one pair of feeders for the whole yard... I don't want to embarrass myself here... Thank you all for your time and responses. I appreciate it! I just cannot believe I forgot to wire the siding... So it was not shorting. It was losing power. Whistling

  • Member since
    January 2020
  • 8 posts
Posted by Spankyty on Thursday, January 7, 2021 8:10 PM
Only one is setup right now. I think I found the problem though. Thanks!
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 8:12 AM

 Do you have all the feeders in the yard section the same way? Since that's all straight parallel track, , the bottom rail on all 4 prallel tracks should eb the same side of the bus, and the upper rail on all 4 of those tracks should be the other side of the bus.

 You likely need insulated joiners on the two rails coming from the frog of each turnout, if these are power routing or live frog turnouts and you have any feeders to the frog side. Or if you already have them - you missed one on the problem turnout.

                                  --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 693 posts
Posted by woodone on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 7:28 AM

You have two reverse loops- do both have an reverser?

  • Member since
    January 2020
  • 8 posts
Posted by Spankyty on Monday, January 4, 2021 10:01 PM

jjdamnit

Hello All,

It sounds like you are modeling in N-scale.

Are you a European modeler?

I am thinking this because you are using Trix and not a North American Manufacturer.

After studying the Minitrix turnout manual from this page, it appears that you can convert these turnouts from all live to power routing by removing two clips (pg. 4 [English]) making them what Trix calls a "Stop" Turnout" (pg. 14, fig. 2).

From the Trix Turnout Manual:

"Note that a passing siding connected to 2 tracks and thus supplied for track current from both ends requires a stop turnout at both ends that is appropriately set."

By your track plan, the two turnouts make a siding.

When you throw the problem turnout have you tried to throw the turnout on the opposite end?

The more details you can provide the better the great folks on these forums can help. The track plan was very helpful, thank you.

Hope this helps.

 

I appreciate your reply. Yes, this is N scale. I am acually from North America. I just liked the European track.

I have removed the clips on the problem turnout and the problem still remained. I should remove more clips? I need to remove the clips from the bottom left turnout as well?

 

Tested with Clips On:
When I throw the turnout on the right to open straight after the train gets on the siding and the left is thrown to go right, the train stops.

When I throw the right turnout to go into the siding and leave it thrown, set the left turnout to go right, all works until it just gets over the insulator. There is a small insulator on the trix turnouts right after the polarized frog. I hear the auto reverser click. (sometimes) I really doubt my auto reverser was wired wrong, I checked multiple times. I will check again.

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
  • 2,311 posts
Posted by jjdamnit on Monday, January 4, 2021 1:59 PM

Hello All,

It sounds like you are modeling in N-scale.

Are you a European modeler?

I am thinking this because you are using Trix and not a North American Manufacturer.

After studying the Minitrix turnout manual from this page, it appears that you can convert these turnouts from all live to power routing by removing two clips (pg. 4 [English]) making them what Trix calls a "Stop" Turnout" (pg. 14, fig. 2).

From the Trix Turnout Manual:

"Note that a passing siding connected to 2 tracks and thus supplied for track current from both ends requires a stop turnout at both ends that is appropriately set."

By your track plan, the two turnouts make a siding.

When you throw the problem turnout have you tried to throw the turnout on the opposite end?

The more details you can provide the better the great folks on these forums can help. The track plan was very helpful, thank you.

Hope this helps.

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

  • Member since
    January 2020
  • 8 posts
DCC Shorting Problem with Switch?
Posted by Spankyty on Sunday, January 3, 2021 2:46 PM

Hello, I just installed DCC to my layout with DCC++. I am only using one pair of feeders for the layout. As of now, I have the mainline complete, a reverse loop, and the yard. The reversing loop works. The problem is when I flick the bottom turnout, I get a short somewhere. The train shuts down. They are mini Trix turnouts. I got the layout diagram from SCARM. I do understand how to wire the reversing loops, I just do not understand why I am getting short in the yard when I flick the 2nd bottom right switch.

reverse-loop-double

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