You would need an electronic autoreverse like the PSX-AR, which also includes a circuit breaker so it would connect to the SB5, not the EB1. The PSX-AR would do the autoreversing and be the circuit breaker for your reverse loop, the EB1 would be the circuit breaker for the rest of the layout. With the size, you might consider breaking the non-reversing part into more than one section, each with its own EB1.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Don't really have a track plan. Layout is in a U shape, with 16' legs and 14' across the bottom. When I started building in 2010 I actually had a plan to follow but cut things out and added things in and stretched things out until I ended up with what I currently have. And it is actually open ended at one leg with a turnout to "nowhere" so that I can expand at some point.
Not gonna post a track plan, eh?
Rich
Alton Junction
So, you are saying that if I install an EB1, the momentary short that occurs when a loco enters the reverse loop will cause the EB1 to trigger and shut me down before the AR1 can complete the flip? So what would work in place of the AR1? Or is there something else I can use as a breaker that would not trigger in that moment that the AR1 is flipping?
Well, you sort of shot down that idea - you mention you have two reverse loops with AR1s. The AR1 will trip too slowly for the EB1 - so if you have an EB1 between the SB5 and the track, it will trip and cut power before the AR1 flips the reverse loop. You will need faster electronic auto reverse devices to be able to add electronic circuit breakers.
I just set the SB5 up again. Not working. So off to NCE it will go. Guess I had a short that created a problem for the SB5. Guess I need that EB1 breaker or some other sort of breaker between the SB5 and the track in the future. Thanks for your patience and your help.
Gaps look good. I just ran the loco thru the turnout into the reversing section, thru the reversing section and back again. No problems. Time to recheck the SB5. Fingers crossed.
I will check the gaps. At this point I am tempted to reconnect my SB5 to see if it will now work. I would hate to send it off for repair only to find out that it did not actually have a problem.
wdcrvr This turnout is just outside of a reversing section but not in it. I can't see how that could make a difference.
This turnout is just outside of a reversing section but not in it. I can't see how that could make a difference.
I just reconnected all the wiring for the turnout that I had been working on before. I checked it all out with the multimeter. Everything good. Frog is powered and the polarity of the frog switched properly for the direction of the turnout. So, I ran a loco (same one of course) thru the turnout. No problems back and forth, both directions. Works like a charm. This turnout is just outside of a reversing section but not in it. I can't see how that could make a difference.
I would like to see a track plan. I still wonder if a reversing section is not fully gapped and isolated.
The loco does not have a keep alive.
So we have the following: Atlas turnout. Frog powered via a switch tied to the point control mechanism.
Some things that can be said about this: Even if the switch is wired backwards, there would be no short until the loco hit the frog itself, since the frog is isolated from the closure rails.
Atlas turnouts are DCC Friendly, the two point rails are isolated from one another, and tied to the adjacent stock rail, so even if the loco wheel touched the stock rail while on the point rail would not cause a short.
The problem turnout is not part of a reverse loop - so again no reason for a short to be present - and even it it was, the all routes powered nature of an Atlas turnout would make it ALWAYS shorted, not just when a loco crossed ontot he turnout.
There have been a few reports of defective turnouts - typically in the plastic not filling in below the frog where the two rails cross one another. This is easy enough to test by pressing down ont he frog and seeing if you get a short. About the force exerted by the weight of a locomotive.
Final option - does the sound loco in question have a keep alive? It could be that the short was just a one time thing, and the PowerCab just cannot handle the inrush current.
wdcrvr I was JOKING.
I was JOKING.
wdcrvr Sorry, too late, just did that. Ran right thru, no problem. But that is not the same turnout that I had been working on before this crap all started and I had disconected the wires from it before I started this testing scenerio. So I am going to reconnect that turnout and see what I get?
Sorry, too late, just did that. Ran right thru, no problem. But that is not the same turnout that I had been working on before this crap all started and I had disconected the wires from it before I started this testing scenerio. So I am going to reconnect that turnout and see what I get?
I was JOKING. But I must say again that I am so grateful for this forum. If it were not for all the help I find here, I would not have been enjoying this hobby for the last 10 years or so. I really do not know anyone near me to even talk to about this hobby.
Is it possible to post a track plan?
wdcrvr Seems I am pretty good at carving wood, trains not so much!
Seems I am pretty good at carving wood, trains not so much!
wdcrvr So, when will you be coming over?
So, when will you be coming over?
wdcrvr It's an Atlas turnout like all the rest on my layout. #6. I am almost afraid to try running a loco at this point.
It's an Atlas turnout like all the rest on my layout. #6. I am almost afraid to try running a loco at this point.
wdcrvr I do have 2 AR1 reversing units in my layout but this turnout oes not lead into it directly.
I do have 2 AR1 reversing units in my layout but this turnout oes not lead into it directly.
wdcrvrWell. here is the latest. After disconnecting the track from the panel as you suggested I went back and with the power on and the Cab connected to the panel, I reconnected the track to the panel. Guess what? Everything is working again!! I used my multimeter to check the turnout that the loco was about to go thru when everything stopped and it appears to be wired just fine. Damn Gremlins. What the heck (not what I really said) is going on here? I am happy it is working again but I really want o know what caused the problem.
Well. here is the latest. After disconnecting the track from the panel as you suggested I went back and with the power on and the Cab connected to the panel, I reconnected the track to the panel. Guess what? Everything is working again!! I used my multimeter to check the turnout that the loco was about to go thru when everything stopped and it appears to be wired just fine. **** Gremlins. What the heck (not what I really said) is going on here? I am happy it is working again but I really want o know what caused the problem.
The turnout seems to be the culprit, whether it is the turnout itself or the wiring.
What brand and type turnout is it?
A track plan would help here, but absent that, do you have a reverse loop or other reversing section that the turnout leads into?