Help on crossover wiring

[Anonymous]

After experimenting with my layout I have decided to plan a dual-oval layout using a crossover configuration with #6 switches. My problem? I am electrically illiterate and this is one area I really, and I mean R-E-A-L-L-Y need help. I bought a book on wiring layouts, but unfortunately it looks like it would take a doctorate in electricity to figure it all out - entirely too technical for my novice experience. Kinda like giving me the wiring schematic of the empire state buidling and only knowing how to wire an outlet. I think what I need is an elementary wiring schematic that shows different diagrams and configurations. Can anyone help?

[retsignalmtr]

could you provide more info? what type of switch machines will you be using and how will you control them? if you are using atlas machines there are three wires to connect to the machines from their controllers and two wires to connect to the controllers from your power pack

[cacole]

Except for wiring the switch motors, the only additional thing you need to do to these turnouts is place insulated rail joiners on both rails between the two turnouts where they cross over from one loop to the other, so the two loops don't short together.

[Anonymous]

yes I'm using Atlas manual #6 turnouts. I'm almost certain that the turnouts cause a short in the track because as soon as the locomotive leaves the turnout it stops. I have a package of plastic connectors and will try to connect them to the turnouts.

[retsignalmtr]

are you using two powerpacks? the loco should'nt stop after passing through the switch. if you use two packs you have to put insulating joiners between the two switches and have both packs set for the same direction. do you by any chance have a reverse loop setup there. reverse loops require special wiring and will cause a short if no IJ's are used.

[Don Gibson]

DO you mean a 'figure 8' crossing? or connecting two parallel tracks via a 'cross-over? One is a figure X, the other a figure N.

3 colored wire for switches - 2 colors for block's - follow the diagram ... How difficult can it be using atlas?

If you find a 'How To' book with pictures and diagrams too difficult, maybe you need to wait a couple of years - or find an 'electrical genius' friend. type to help

[Anonymous]

I don't have a figure eight or reversing loop. I'm connecting a 22" radius oval to an 18" radius oval - only one power pack the tech 4 220.

[Don Gibson]

SOUNDS LIKE you're not getting power through the turnouts. If it were a short the power pak would shut down.

GET a $ 10 mulimeter at Radio Shack. It will tell you where power IS, and isn't.

[dinwitty]

if the switches have insulated frogs, you have no worries, as it will carry track power correctly.
if its an all rail frog, its potential shorting.

You can have metal joiners on them all if your running only one train.
If you are going to run 2, you will need only one side insulated between the crossover and a powerpak on both loops.

think of each rail as a wire, it needs 2 to run.

aint railroading fun...

thats the challenge, and it makes you to improve yourself. Go grab a beginners guide to model railroading, it will help you.

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by sirgknight

yes I'm using Atlas manual #6 turnouts. I'm almost certain that the turnouts cause a short in the track because as soon as the locomotive leaves the turnout it stops. I have a package of plastic connectors and will try to connect them to the turnouts.

ATLAS turnout's have insulated frogs, The electricity is carried around the frog to the opposite rails, and forwarded to what it's connected to. If there is a crossing of the wires SHORT occurs and your trains stop everywhere on that ciruit.

if your engine stops at a certain spot - like at a switch - that Indicates a LOSS of power at that location. Now you have to find out WHY. Power is not getting there.

A meter will help tou.

[Anonymous]

I'm using a figure N configuration - so what I'm understanding is that I can use metal connectors on the #6 turnouts - I can use one power pack to power both ovals. Do I need to connect the power pack only to the outside oval?

[retsignalmtr]

the atlas switches are powered through the frog so if you are only going to use one power pack you dont need the IJ's between the inside and outside loops. but if you are going to permanently fasten down and ballast your track you should put them in, in case you want to use two power packs. until then you can run feeders to each loop from the one power pack. actually you should run several feeders to each loop especially if you are using sectional track to avoid power dips through loose rail joiners.

[Don Gibson]

I THINK I HAVE YOUR SOLUTION.

Two track loops connected by a single crossover.

Buy another 'terminal track' for the other loop.
Put insulated rail joiners between the two Atlas turnouts - both rails
wire the new terminal track in reverse.

When you crossover from one loop to the other, the the outside rail becomes the inside rail on the 2nd loop.- reverse polarity..This would shiut everything down when crossing over.

I had to draw a diagram. A meter would have told you..

Power the loop's independentely - even from a single power source..

[Anonymous]

Thanks.....you have given me a couple of good things to try. I actually set up the layout with two sets of turnouts, but only one set is actually needed for what I want to run. I do plan to permanently lay and secure the track on the layout so I will go ahead and use the insulators. I already have another piece of terminal track that I can connect to the innner oval of track. This should eliminate my power problem. I didn't really know if connecting two terminals from the power pack (one to the inner oval and the other to the outer oval) would damage anything.

[Anonymous]

Problem solved.....thanks.....I connected the insulators on both rails at both turnouts and connected a terminal to the inside oval. Turnouts and everything else works perfectly. I appreciate your patience with such a "dumas".

[Don Gibson]

Now wire your 2 switch machines in parallel (together) so they throw simultaneously, preventing derailments.