Electronics and DCC

Need help in understanding the wiring for a AR1.  Have two parallel main line tracks.  East bound is made up of two blocks totaling 12 feet in length.  West bound is 12' long reversing section with two sets of power leads.  Three crossovers connect the parallel tracks, two in on block and one in the other for switching.  DC system had DPDT switches to control direction to reversing section.

I understand that the AR1 provides the only power to the reversing section but can use additional leads for power distribution.  Does the power to the AR1 have to come from the adjacent East bound track or can it come directly from the main power source.   Do I have to combine the two East bound blocks into one block?

 A simple drawing of what you are describing would be helpful, but in general - everythign in the reverseing section must be powered by the AR1,. You cna have as many feeders to the track in the reversing section as you need for good power flow, they just all have to connect to the output of the AR1. The input can come from anywhere else, Usually power is supplied form the main power bus - so it can come directly from the booster or anywhere there is power available. It does not have to come from an adjacent block - the AR1 reverses polarity (phase really since DCC is a square wave signal) in the reversing section. The phase on the adjacent block is alyways goign to be the same unless you've hooked a DPDT reversing switch into it for some reason, so when the train crosses into the reversing section it either already matches or the AR1 has to flip it and it will then match.

                                    --Randy

A diagram of the track system would be helpful.

The AR1 can be powered from any point on the track to the best of my knowledge as long as your reversing section is isolated at both ends.

Powering the reversing section and switching from the same AR1 may present problems when both are entered at or near the same time.

Despite the cost of multiple AR1 units, I think separate ARM for each section would be more reliable.

Good luck,

paxton58:

Need help in understanding the wiring for a AR1.  Have two parallel main line tracks.  East bound is made up of two blocks totaling 12 feet in length.  West bound is 12' long reversing section with two sets of power leads.  Three crossovers connect the parallel tracks, two in on block and one in the other for switching.  DC system had DPDT switches to control direction to reversing section.

I understand that the AR1 provides the only power to the reversing section but can use additional leads for power distribution.  Does the power to the AR1 have to come from the adjacent East bound track or can it come directly from the main power source.   Do I have to combine the two East bound blocks into one block?

The AR1 has 4 wires.  Two wires connect to all of the power leads from the isolated section of track.  The other two wires connect to the bus wire from the non-isolated section of track.

As long as the reversing section of track (west), crossovers and all, are isolated from the remaining track (east), one reversering unit (AR1) should do the job.

If I understand your layout correctly, I see no reason to combine the two east blocks into one block.  If west is completely isolated from east, you should be good to go.

Rich

Rich

If the picture in my mind after reading your description is accurate, then I agree that one AR1 should be enough.  But as the others have said, when you ask a question about circuitry, you should really include a diagram.

 Installed it directly in line with the two leads coming from the power supply to the tracks.  Cross all three turnouts with no problem.  Thanks for the help.  Digitrax instructions aren't always clear to me.