I finally had the opportunity to recheck my circuits this evening and though a bit of button punching I got the lights to come back on. I also found a few things in the process:
I obviously I have a few things to fix (what layout doesn't?) but a least the lights are working.
Thank you for all the suggestions.
FRRYKidAll the control boxes work just fine
Mike
All the control boxes work just fine and the feeds seem to be solid. Hence the confusion.
Starting to make more sense. You have to have a problem with the feed coming to the panel. I see the blue wires appear to be fed from somewhere off the upper right hand corner. What about the yellow? Have you checked where both the blue and yellow originate, and start working your way toward the panel? You aren't using the center common post on the turnout controllers, and since your switch machines are working, this should be relatively easy to find the issue. Whichever main wire (blue or yellow) matches up with your common that would otherwise be on that center post is the culprit here. If you don't recall which color matches your common, just disconnect one of them and try your switch machines If they still work, that wire you just disconnected is the reason why your Connectors aren't working. If the switch machines stop working, it's the wire you left connected that is the issue. Trace it back to it's source until you find the interruption in the circuit.
Try this link: http://photos.app.goo.gl/3Kr7Bg94PosswrB98
Once the picture loads you will see that there is a switch box in the middle and the end that are powered so current has to be going through.
lololol what????
Yeah, thats a confusing decsription. The "google" link you added wants you to sign in to see your picture. No help there.
Since you said the switch controllers have power yet the 'connectors' dont, then i would start with a voltmeter/light bulb tester at the input side of your connector and work backwards. (heading upstream)
If you have power to a switch controller, and it functions, but no power out of it to feed the 'connector', then the problem is either the wiring betwixt the two, or the switch controller is bad on the output side.
Dont forget, just because you cant see through the insulation on the wire connecting the two doesnt mean the wire inside isnt broken. Test the connecting wire by itself too.
One last thing, are you sure its even wired correctly? Sometimes the commercialvision set works better if its plugged in. No matter how fresh the remote control batterys are!
All this is presumptuos until you get us a good picture - it can be figured out.
PMR
This is a picture of the section of the panel in question: http://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNMPez3-x3bHEBRdErqpR-MtAFYA42qZzkFhukq
These are on the AC side and I don't run DCC.
The reason for the upside down is that the panel was originally built when the layout was in my former apartment and a bit smaller and to make moving the cations easier.
Both sides were tested and as said the control boxes have power but yet the controllers don't.
Hello All,
FRRYKidI have two Connectors (yellow switches) as part of my control panel. All of the sudden none of the switches on them work. (The last time I used it the switches worked.)
Can you provide a schematic of how they are wired?
FRRYKidThere are Control Boxes (turnout control) between them and on the leftbend that have voltage and do work. (Mounted upside down on the panel. The wires feed from the right.)
The description is a bit confusing.
By using Atlas #0205 Connectors, I presume you are running DC.
If you are running DCC what is the function of the Atlas connectors (block switches)?
To isolate track and/or yard power, or other functions?
FRRYKid...there's continuity on all the circuits but I can't detect voltage on them when the power is on even going across the Connectors.
Since you have a multi-meter have you tried to "trace" the power?
As a precaution remove all locomotives from the pike- -just in case the power is suddenly restored during troubleshooting.
Without a schematic, I suspect an errant switch has been moved to the "closed" position and is preventing all current from flowing downstream.
You tested for continuity.
Did you test both the Positive (+) "power" side along with the Negative (-) "common" side?
Electrons are like water; without an "outflow"- -Negative (-) path (common rail)- -the electrons can't pass through the circuit(s) and make things move.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
The Atlas Connector is a very easy device to troubleshoot. I would hook up three automotive tail light bulbs to the outputs, and see if each one turns on and off correctly. If not, replace the Atlas Connector.
Since none of them are working, I would suspect an OPEN in the common side of the Atlas Connector.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Have you tried feeding them from the other end? Sounds like one of your turnout control boxes (probably the last in line before the controllers) isn't feeding power through on one or both of the legs.
Got yet another weird one for my Forum friends. I have two Connectors (yellow switches) as part of my control panel. All of the sudden none of the switches on them work. (The last time I used it the switches worked.) In checking the units, there's continuity on all the circuits but I can't detect voltage on them when the power is on even going across the Connectors. There are Control Boxes (turnout control) between them and on the leftbend that have voltage and do work. (Mounted upside down on the panel. The wires feed from the right.) Anybody got any ideas? I'm stumped.
As usual, any suggestions that be provided would be appreciated.