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Switch wiring problems

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  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 4:57 AM

Svein

Lots of great advice here, but I think you guys are making it sound much more complicated than it actually is.

Svein, that's because you have presented a much more elegant view of the solution.  Thumbs Up   Bow

Very nicely done.

In our defense, though, it took awhile to realize that the OP was using electrofrog turnouts and an insulfrog crossing.  Part of the problem was that, as a new forum member, the OP's posts were being moderated, and slow to be posted, by the moderator.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 5:12 AM

MisterBeasley

I'm guessing that you are using some model of power-routing turnouts.  What you probably need is insulators on rails diverging from the frogs, and power feeders to the tracks beyond.

LOL

With Svein's comment in mind, I went back and read through this entire thread.

With minimal information, Mister Beasley resolved the issue with the very first reply.

It could have ended right there.  Kudos to Mr. B.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
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Posted by zstripe on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 6:46 AM

As '' Ja Bear'' would say,my two Bobs worth...That is exactly how the diagram he had was drawn,,,why it was never tested,,,I can't answer.....One more thing,,,it has become increasingly clear that, a lot of people,for some reason,don't like to read....

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • 23 posts
Posted by Fisch on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 9:15 PM

I wired it per Frank and Randy's recommendation, and per the diagrams posted.  I have not added the feeder wires yet, although that hasn't seemed to matter yet, probably because I tested with my longest engines.  Adding the insulated joins was a MAJOR pain in the neck!  Literally!  My neck is still hurting!  I had to completely pull the entire crossing apart to replace the 8 conductive metal joins with insulated joins.  The Peco insulated joins are clear nylon, and are almost completely invisible.

I have reassembled the crossing, and am happy to report that you guys are geniuses.  Big Smile

The buzzing problem is now all gone, and the trains run smoothly from inside to outside and back again.  Awesome!  WowYeah

I will try to put some more documentation up.  Although it took us a while to get to the conclusion, this thread has some really helpful and useful information in it on wiring. I've learned a lot!

Thank again for all of your assistance!  You guys are awesome!

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Thursday, August 1, 2013 3:09 AM

Fisch,

Really glad to hear,that all is well,,,even if it did take 5 pages,,,,but now,you know,,probably picked up a lot more than you bargained for,,,but what the heck..

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, August 1, 2013 4:23 AM

Fisch, glad to hear that you got the layout working.  How much easier it would have been with Insulfrog turnouts!

I cannot help but wondering what your longer term plans are for the layout.  Running two trains at the same speed, controlled by one DC power pack, is going to get old fast.  At least with two power packs and a bit of block control, you could run the two trains independently.  Of course, if you converted to a basic DCC system, you could run the trains independently and without any block control system.  And, as that layout gets larger, you will face additional issues.  What is your long term plan?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
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Posted by zstripe on Saturday, September 7, 2013 5:35 AM

To Be Continued;;;;;

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, September 7, 2013 5:42 AM

zstripe

To Be Continued;;;;;

Cheers,

Frank

LOL

I don't think so, Frank.

Fisch came and went like a thief in the night !   Dead

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Saturday, September 7, 2013 5:56 AM

Rich,

Yeah !! Your right,,,,,but maybe,,the OP will find it helpful,,from the new thread,if he reads it..

I don't know why,that link I put in there don't work,,,unless you have to start off with,http://,,Do you have an idea?? I'm batting 50/50,with the links,I'm posting..PM me if you do..

Chhers,

Frank Crying

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, September 7, 2013 6:17 AM

Frank, get a hold of yourself.

Is this the one?

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/219427.aspx?sort=ASC&pi314=1

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
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Posted by zstripe on Saturday, September 7, 2013 6:32 AM

Rich,

How long should I hold myself??Stick out tongue

Yes!!! And I see you added,, http:// to it,,,Thanks..

Cheers,

Frank 

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • 23 posts
Posted by Fisch on Saturday, September 7, 2013 11:21 AM

I'm not dead yet.  I'm wrapping up two projects at work, and have been traveling as a result.  Sad to say, but real life has been interfering with model railroading.  Sad

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Saturday, September 7, 2013 11:41 AM

Fisch,,

Good to hear from you,,,,,sometimes old farts,,,myself included,,think everyone is retarded,,,(I mean retired) some have other important things first..Big Smile

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • 23 posts
Posted by Fisch on Saturday, September 28, 2013 10:14 AM

I am about to leave on another business trip tomorrow, but thought I would quick drop some pics in here.  The table is really rough, but the double oval is in place, with two double cross-overs.

Train Table:

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w658/fisch050/TrainTable_zps37f85ecf.jpg

Double Crossing (a bit fuzzy) (wires need to be routed under the table still):

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w658/fisch050/IMG_20130907_122607_755_zps2fbc5dc6.jpg

When I get a moment, I will try yo post a schematic of the wiring, as well as some additional details.

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