Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
Hello JP, There's a short circuit, or perhaps more than one, somewhere. Possibly it's a feeder connected to the wrong bus. Another possibility has to do with turnouts: Are they selective routing or do they have insulated frogs? If they're the former, you'll need to cut gaps in the rail after the frog wherever a turnout is used for a crossover or passing siding. I typically cut gaps (with a cutting disk in a motor tool) about an 1-1/2" or so from the point of the frog. You can also use insulated rail joiners. Those are two items I'd investigate before breaking out my multimeter. Using the multimeter, however, you should be able to check for a short circuit by measuring resistance. With the bus wires disconnected from the power pack place a multimeter lead on each rail. You should get an open circuit reading. My assumption is that the meter will register a short circuit, however. Then you're going to have to trace the circuits and check the turnouts for inadvertent short circuits. This may eventually involve unsoldering some connections (which is why using a terminal/barrier strip between feeders and the bus is a good idea). Hope this helps, and don't be discouraged: I was scratching my head the other day over short circuit. Cut a gap in particular turnout (one I hadn't earlier considered would cause a problem)just past the frog and the trouble disappeared. Paul Schmidt Contributing Editor Trains.com
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

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!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community