How do I wire my new Shinohara DCO turnout for DCC?
oldnewbie here, again. I should be more specific with my question. With a DCO (Double CrossOver) in my trackplan, I hope to be able to have two trains either comming or going at the same time. The DCO will allow me to switch between mainlines (two) and I have two reversing loops in the system. I ultimately hope to be able to program continueously mmoving and redirecting trains. Do I need to have an AR (auto reverse) powering the switch? Any help will be appreciated?
Are these Walthers Shinohara current models, HO noted as DCC friendly? If so they need no special attention but you can optionally connect a feeder to the isolated frogs. If Shinohara I don't know the specifics. Check out wiringfordcc.com and find the basics on turnout wiring as well as specifics on certain models and lots on reverse loops. You will also read there is an option to connect a feeder to the point rails that otherwise depend mainly on the contact with the main rails. A Tortoise for example spring loads the routed point rail so most people skip that optional feeder.
On reverse loops you will need either manual toggles or auto reversers for the internal part of each loop, which must be isolated from the mainline. Look at how a simple reverse loop works and is wired. If you understand that you may be able to plan your wiring. But I can envision some complex arrangements where the isolation points are not as obvious or there are several options.
Check out auto reversers at Tonys Trains. You do not have to use the brand of your DCC system. I used the inexpensive non-adjustable OGARs and they are ok for my layout. But there are cases where Tonys may suggest ones with different capabilities.
If you post a track diagram some of the experts on the forum usually will advise on the isolation points. You will need a jpg photo or scan to post on a photo site such as Photobucket.com for attaching here as a img link that will show the diagram.
Again, wiringfordcc.com is an excellent site.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Thank you for the reply. The answer to your first question is yes. It is a recent Walthers Shinohara DCO. As you suggest, I have been studying the options for this switch but am still a little insecure in that my ambitions are greater than my understanding. I will attempt to follow your suggestion regarding posting a track plan. If you and the experts would be so kind as to check back in a day or two I will look forward to any suggestions. Thanks again.
Below is a active link to wiringfordcc that the previus poster mentions. Take your time as he hasl lots of very good DCC info.
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
If you can post a track diagram, we can advise you on how to wire the DCO and where to place gaps to isolate both reverse loops.
Alton Junction
I just installed two PSX-ARSC that changes the polarity of the reverse loop and throws the switch, automatically. Maybe they would work for you.
South Penn
Thanks alll for the great advice. Here is my track plan.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv198/lcoffin/Larrys%20Train%20Beta%203_zpsatq6s1gh.jpg
All suggestion an how to wire reappreciated. My goal is to run Two trains at the same time in either direction.
If you have a DCC friendly unit, your frogs are already isolated. Just connect the crossover to powered track (or its own feeders), and it should work. The only "extra" should be if you have to power the frogs because you have very short wheelbase locos. Then do it with Frog Juicers or turnout controls.
Dante
P.S. The reverse loops are another matter that require the previously mentioned auto reversers.
dante If you have a DCC friendly unit, your frogs are already isolated. Just connect the crossover to powered track (or its own feeders), and it should work. The only "extra" should be if you have to power the frogs because you have very short wheelbase locos. Then do it with Frog Juicers or turnout controls. Dante P.S. The reverse loops are another matter that require the previously mentioned auto reversers.
As near as I can see from your track plan you do have two reverse loop sections, as you mentioned, the blue line and the yellow line comprise each loop.
You would need a minimum of eight insulated gaps or plastic rail joiners where each end of the blue and yellow lines meet the green main line.
You would need one auto reverse module of your choice to feed each of the blue and green lines. See the instructions with the AR unit for proper wiring of same. Simply 2 wires in from the buss then two wires out to each isolated reverse loop.
The PSX that South Penn links to is a very capable unit with many features. If you want a lower cost, but not solid state machine the AR1 is available for about half the cost:
http://www.digitrax.com/static/apps/products/autoreversing/ar1/documents/AR1.pdf
As Paul mentioned in his reply the double crossover would function just fine in the position you have it as long as you are sure it is a later style "all-live" type and not one of the earlier Shinohara power-routing type. If the throwbar between the switch points is metal, it is power routing and will need additional gaps, if it has plastic throwbars it is "DCC friendly" as they say and will not require additional gaps.
Automating the turnouts from the output PSX would not involve the double crossover anyway. The "in and out" turnouts for each loop would be the ones you would want to control. Of course your train length would have to be less than the distance between the two switches!
Be prepared to do a little filing of the molded plastic around the frogs and guard rails of your Shin/Walthers turnouts for smooth operation. I have found some plastic usually needs to be filed away.
Good Luck, Ed
Ed pretty much nailed it. The blue track and the yellow track each comprise a separate reverse loop.
While it is theoretically possible to treat both loops as part of a single reverse loop controlled by one auto-reverser, for practical reasons it would seem best to have each loop controlled by its own auto-reverser.
Your main concern is that each reverse loop be longer than the longest train to avoid conflicts between the entry and exit points. If so, then the gaps would be at the points where the reverse loops connect to the non-reversing portion of your layout. If not so, however, then the gaps need to be extended further and more gaps will be required to completely isolate the reversing sections.
The DCO is not part of either reversing section so no gapping is required at the ends of the DCO. However, for performance reasons, you should add feeders to all four ends of the DCO.
I have the older Shinohara double crossovers on my DCC layout. As long as the polarity of the rails are the same, the crossover works fine if you throw all 4 switches at the same time.
I do have the newer DCC friendly Shinohara DCO. All of your replies are great. (This is my first experience with a forum.) Thanks too all who have responded. I am having a blast.