Just installed one and it is a PIA to adjust, just as I was about to give it up I got it to work. That being said I was thinking about getting a dual frog juicer to use instead as I have had no problem with them on switches. What is your imput.
As a side note the AR1 is still not butter smooth and train jerks at times when crossing the gab, any further adjustment it stops working.
So you're using it to change polarity of a frog, rather than as an auto-reverser in a reverse loop?
No, dual juicer can be used as auto reverser too.
I have had flawless operations from my Digitrax AR-1 for years. Electronics are the weakest part of this hobby for me, but over the years I have read in passing that these suggestions may cause problems. Maybe someone can expand on them.
1. The gaps must be perfectly square across the rails.
2. The gaps may need to be made a little larger (mine are quite large)
3. Turn off DC in the decoder.
How valid these are I don't know, but at least it gives you something.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I have three AR-1's on my layout. One handles polarity changes for a small yard connected to the layout via a "wye" hence the need for the AR-1. This unit worked perfectly from day one. The other two each handle power to two separate turntables. One works well while the other is a disaster! My cousin just sent me a couple of AR-1's he had on his layout but replaced with Frog Juicers. I may try swapping out the problem unit with one of these to see whether I can fix the situation.
Hornblower
hornblower I have three AR-1's on my layout. One handles polarity changes for a small yard connected to the layout via a "wye" hence the need for the AR-1. This unit worked perfectly from day one. The other two each handle power to two separate turntables. One works well while the other is a disaster! My cousin just sent me a couple of AR-1's he had on his layout but replaced with Frog Juicers. I may try swapping out the problem unit with one of these to see whether I can fix the situation.
I have two auto-reversers from DCC Specialties, the old PS-REV modules that preceeded the current PSX-AR. These are solid state devices, while the AR-1 uses a relay. I find my auto-reversers are pretty much flawless. They are about 15 years old. They worked perfectly when I wired them up and have needed no adjustment since.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I have problems with the two AR-1s that are installed as auto reversers on my layout. Often when a loco goes thru it stall and the layout seems to short out for a second or two and then eventually the loco starts running again. I am going to try using the adjustment feature that I never really messed with before, but I am also wondering if the fact that the reversing loop starts right at the end of a turnout can cause any problem?
Thats what mine dose on occasion. My frog juicers don't do that on turnouts.
Funny thing I noticed is when I go super slow, no problems.
FWIW the only times I've had an AR-1 not work right (once the sensitivity was set properly) it turned out to be my fault - a wire was misconnected or the track wasn't completey gapped etc. Unfortunately, each time it took a while to track down (no pun intended) the problem.
Oh it works once adjusted properly but if you enter the zone fast, it will stutter.