rrinker You must have a feeder backwards again. Also, just some stills would show the track plan and the wires, doesn;t have to be a video each time! --Randy
You must have a feeder backwards again.
Also, just some stills would show the track plan and the wires, doesn;t have to be a video each time!
--Randy
Alton Junction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN2M-EQUVGY
HO Scale modeler of Union Pacific and Iowa Chicago and Eastern Railroads.
This is partly why I use solid wire for my feeders. Wrapped tightly around the bus wire, it actually makes a good connection. But not permanent. Then test run a loco over the newest part and make sure it runs. When I know it's all working, THEN the soldering gun comes out. Though with a linear around the walls layout it is hard to mess up the connections since the same color is always towards the wall.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Well, that wiriing is somewhat permanent, having been soldered and suitcase connected, so you have your work cut out for you.
If it were me, I would reverse the nine sets of yard feeders so that all of the wiring is the way that you initially intended it to be.
Rich
Rich, All feeders are soldered to the track and connected with suitcase connectores to the buss wires. The yard track feeders are all conncected to the bus wire also via suitcase connectors all in one area about 5 inches long.
How are those feeders connected to the bus wires? Are they soldered? Suitcase connectors? Are they simply wrapped around bare sections of the bus wires? Are they connected at various spots on the bus wires? Or are the 9 sets of feeders bunched together with a single feeder connected to the bus wire?
ChadMichaelsRich, as of right now I only have about 6 sets of feeders wired to the main line so far, so Im thinking itll be easier to just swap those around.
If that is the way you wish to go, disconnect all of those first. Make sure it solves the problem. Then re-attach one or two at a time, checking each time.
With all of that mainline to be wired, you might as well just correct the yard wiring.
alco_fan ChadMichaels Yes I see that I'll be creating a reverse loop in the section that comes from the Warehouse and then connects back to the main by the Tank Spur. Maybe I am blind, but I do not see a reverse loop in that drawing. Of course, I do not see anything labeled Warehouse either. But I could just be missing it ... or maybe it is the spur in the top right that I can not read.
ChadMichaels Yes I see that I'll be creating a reverse loop in the section that comes from the Warehouse and then connects back to the main by the Tank Spur.
Maybe I am blind, but I do not see a reverse loop in that drawing. Of course, I do not see anything labeled Warehouse either. But I could just be missing it ... or maybe it is the spur in the top right that I can not read.
The Warehouse is at the top right, but I agree that I don't see any reversing sections either. For a reversing section to occur, you need track folding back onto itself. What you have is a continuous loop with yards, sidings and spurs.
ChadMichaelses I see that I'll be creating a reverse loop in the section that comes from the Warehouse and then connects back to the main by the Tank Spur.
ChadMichaelsThis is the whole track plan of the railroad that will run though my basement.
This is the whole track plan of the railroad that will run though my basement. It's just a rough sketch and only about 75% of the track is laid. Yes I see that I'll be creating a reverse loop in the section that comes from the Warehouse and then connects back to the main by the Tank Spur. The only track that is laid right now is from the Plastics all the way around the yard to the south switch where I was having issues.That's why I was only drawing that much in my drawings.
Chad
IF ALL the feeders in the yard are backwards, just changing the main would work. But if only SOME in the yard are backwards, you'll still have to change more than just one set. ANd if you change the main, you will have to change ALL feeders on the main, not just the ones by the yard.
ChadMichaels Here is another thought, Instead of going though and changing around my 9 track feeders in the yard, I could just change around the feeders on the main and that should solve my problem correct? Or am i off my rocker?
Here is another thought, Instead of going though and changing around my 9 track feeders in the yard, I could just change around the feeders on the main and that should solve my problem correct? Or am i off my rocker?
It all depends upon how many feeders you have on the main. Why don't you update that track diagram that you drew and mark the location of each set of feeders. That would make it easier to advise you.
Is there more to your layout than just the portion shown on that diagram?
As far as those 9 sets of feeders for the yard, how are those feeders connected to the bus wires? Are they soldered? Suitcase connectors? Are they simply wrapped around bare sections of the bus wires? Are they connected at various spots on the bus wires? Or are the 9 sets of feeders bunched together with a single feeder connected to the bus wire?
Jerrys HO Rich I feel stupid, i have been reading this thread and the reverse loop complicated thread and believe it or not in my complicated mind I joined the two together thinking of one while posting about the other. Did you understand what I just typed? I beginning to wonder if I do. Thanks for the confirmation on the loop wiring though
I feel stupid, i have been reading this thread and the reverse loop complicated thread and believe it or not in my complicated mind I joined the two together thinking of one while posting about the other.
Did you understand what I just typed? I beginning to wonder if I do.
Thanks for the confirmation on the loop wiring though
Nah, no need to feel that way. This stuff all gets jumbled together after awhile.
ChadMichaelsMy feeders in my yard need to be reversed. The red wire is attached to the rail closet to me, when in reality they need to be attached to the rail closet to the back wall and the blue wires need to be attched to the rail closet to me. Heres to starting the wiring of the 9 tracks over again.
Add a feeder, test. Add the next feeder, test. If those go OK, maybe add two at a time before testing. But do not do it all at once now, even if you think you know how you goofed up.
Jerry, your assumption is correct about not running any feeders from the main bus to the reversing section, but Chad does not have any reversing loops, so he can run all of his feeders off the main bus.
I have an easy question for the problem solvers. Chad stated he has the yard attatched to his feeders to his buss. I was under the assumption that you can not power anything in a loop with your main buss that it had to be powered by the reversing unit. Unless I missed where Chad had a separate buss for the loop. Could this be his short?
I love learning all this electrical stuff when it gets so detailed.
My reverse loop is fairly simple and I pull my feeders from my reversing unit.
Jerry
ChadMichaels After some investigating this morning, I think I have solved the issue. My feeders in my yard need to be reversed. The red wire is attached to the rail closet to me, when in reality they need to be attached to the rail closet to the back wall and the blue wires need to be attched to the rail closet to me. Heres to starting the wiring of the 9 tracks over again. Chad
After some investigating this morning, I think I have solved the issue. My feeders in my yard need to be reversed. The red wire is attached to the rail closet to me, when in reality they need to be attached to the rail closet to the back wall and the blue wires need to be attched to the rail closet to me. Heres to starting the wiring of the 9 tracks over again.
Good work, Chad, thanks for reporting back to us.
ChadMichaels Rich, Yes, I use the 4 colored trailer wire (Green, Yellow, White and Brown) for my buss wires. I use just the Green and Yellow wires for the buss. Then I use Red and Blue colored wires for feeders. The way I hook them all up is Red to Yellow and Blue to Green. I double checked my wiring and all wires match correctly. Just did a test that a gentleman suggested on youtube for me to do and it does appear that I have a reverse loop. I'm uploading the video for him now to see..the color on the hooper car does change color.
Rich, Yes, I use the 4 colored trailer wire (Green, Yellow, White and Brown) for my buss wires. I use just the Green and Yellow wires for the buss. Then I use Red and Blue colored wires for feeders. The way I hook them all up is Red to Yellow and Blue to Green. I double checked my wiring and all wires match correctly.
Just did a test that a gentleman suggested on youtube for me to do and it does appear that I have a reverse loop. I'm uploading the video for him now to see..the color on the hooper car does change color.
If there is a reverse loop then your track diagram does not match the actual track layout. It's easy enough to test, if the train is running counter-clockwise and you can set the switches so that it can now change directiona nd travel over the very same track in a clockwise direction, you have a reverse loop. If this is the case, then you do need to gap it and use an autoreverser. And if this is the case, do yourself (and the rest of us) a favor and make sure the track diagram is correct. Botht he plan in your photostream that your friend drew up and the more recent one you just posted here do NOT have any sort of reverse loops in them.
BroadwayLion The lower right hand corner is missing in that photo. IF the lines rejopin there then the whole thig *IS* a reversing loop.
The lower right hand corner is missing in that photo. IF the lines rejopin there then the whole thig *IS* a reversing loop.
At 1:03 of the video, he points to what is the lower right portion of the track diagram and states that the track is not connected there.
Tsk Tsk! Sounds like a confrontation, in a school yard.
I think the OP need's to get a book on wiring and reverse loop wiring.
Frank