Trying to Isolate addition to my Layout

[Curt Webb]

Hi All,

I have a 4.5' x 5.5' extension for my Walther's DCC TT and associated RH and storage tracks. My base station is a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra. I am trying to isolate the entire section because I store my engines there and it is very noisy with them all running. Below is a diagram of the main buss and how I have attempted to isolate the section.

 

 

The SPST is my attempt to electrically isolate that section. Note that all power feeders for storage tracks and TT are on the right side of the SPST wires that connect to the main buss.

I was thinking another SPST for the buss that is not currently attached to a SPST.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[rrinker]

 What you have drawn will do nothing, you are simply connecting or disconnecting pieces that are already connected together.

What you want to do is cut one of the bus wires going to the feeders for the section you are trying to isolate. Connect one of the newly cut wires to one switch terminal, and the other cut wire to the other switch terminal. Gap or put an insulated rail joiner in whichever rail this side of the bus feeds. Now, if you set the SPST in the off position, no power will get to the isaolted section, Turn the switch to the on position, and everything powers up.

                   --Randy

[Motley]

Why are all your engines running with sound on?

All of my locos have DCC and sound, and they are all on the layout. I just program them to not turn on engine sounds until I select the loco with my throttle.

[Curt Webb]

Thanks Guys. I will try the F8 option first then do the wiring as suggested if I need to do it.

[mlehman]

Curt,

There's something about sidings, ain't there?

One critical thing with isolating a siding for just cutting the power also applies even if you don't add a way to turn off the power. For a siding with turnouts at both ends like you've drawn, you need to put a gap somewhere in the siding in both rails. Otherwise, when you throw just one switch/turnout, you can get a short because the frog rails have opposite polarities when that happens.

Now, if it's all gapped properly already and you were just adding the switch to kill the power, then nevermind. But thought I'd say something if someone else came along and didn't know about gaps, then builds the siding without gaps.