I'm going nuts trying to solve the dead zones problem on my layout. I bought a new analog transformer (I don't have any DCC) and connected it to four different pionts on my laoyout. What's driving me up the wall is there's a dead zone about 4" from one of the connections on the same track. The connection between the two track secions is by wired rail joiner and the dead zone is on a stretch of 1 meter long flex track. I tried several different engins and they all stop at the same point on the 1 meter track. Suggestions on how to resolve?
Do you have an ohm meter or continuity tester that you can use.
If so, check each rail with one probe close to the feeder and slide the other probe down the track and look for a jump in resistance or loss of continuity.
Disconnect the power pack before doing this test.
That is at least a place to start.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Did you ever see an old movie called A Thousand Clowns? In it, the eccentric hero, Jason Robards Junior, among other silly things collects brass eagles from yard sales and junk shops. His son asks why.
"Son, you can never have too many eagles."
For some reason, I think of that when wiring track.
"Son, you can never have too many feeders."
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
When there is a question of where the electricity goes or disappears a meter is essential. You can rig up a tail lightbulb or buy a meter for $7 at harbor freight.
Randy said he had no problem with his home made wired rail joiners but I think he used them at every connection. Plain joiners are notorious for developing problems, especially after weathering and ballasting. The can also be loose.
If there is not a cold solder joint on one of the joiners, I'll bet the joiners between the straight and rerailer are the issue.
That assumes the feeder has a good connection to the bus.
BTW we can only see Kevin's picture. Google photos don't work here.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
RealGomer ...the dead zone is on a stretch of 1 meter long flex track.
...the dead zone is on a stretch of 1 meter long flex track.
A dead ZONE on a long piece of flex track:
First up would be a layer of insulating something. Might need to clean that section of track. If you can't see anything, it might be some clear paint. Anyway, I'd recommend cleaning that section of track.
I'm not a big fan of Bright Boys, but one of those would surely get you down to clean rail tops.
Another thing that would do it is if someone cut two gaps in one of tge rails. Then you'd have an isolated dead section. If yer buddy gave you this track, it could be his way of messin' with you. Not my idea of fun, but....
Anyway, check these ideas out and report back.
Ed
MisterBeasley Did you ever see an old movie called A Thousand Clowns? In it, the eccentric hero, Jason Robards Junior, among other silly things collects brass eagles from yard sales and junk shops. His son asks why. "Son, you can never have too many eagles." For some reason, I think of that when wiring track. "Son, you can never have too many feeders."
Murray Burns, played by Robards. Terrific movie!
"Chip, chip, chipper monkey!"
"I brought you a full-size cardboard cutout of ME."
Hello All,
The suggestion of cleaning the track is always good advice.
I would not use a Bright Boy or any other abrasive materials. These actually cause pitting and exacerbate dirty track.
Isopropyl alcohol is a good track cleaner- -others will argue for a different "solution" (pun intended).
As has been suggested a feeder directly to the troubled section would also be advised.
Keep us apprised of your progress and, as usual...
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
jjdamnit Hello All, The suggestion of cleaning the track is always good advice. I would not use a Bright Boy or any other abrasive materials. These actually cause pitting and exacerbate dirty track. Isopropyl alcohol is a good track cleaner- -others will argue for a different "solution" (pun intended).
Yup.
Maybe a solvent cleaner before the Bright Boy--see if it works.
I'd try lacquer thinner, as it's more aggressive than alcohol. Just this once.
If there is a section with no power add some feeders to it and problem solved.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 If there is a section with no power add some feeders to it and problem solved.
Might want to read the previous posts more carefully.
My analysis of how a dead zone appears in the middle of a piece of flex track is different. I see two possibilities.
1. One joiner between the rerailer and the flex track is intermittent, either the wire or the joiner itself. As long as there is an engine's weight on it or close enough, that weight holds the contact well enough to power the engine. Once the engine moves too far away, the connection opens up.
2. Are you running a steamer with a connected tender? If so, as long as the tender is on the rerailer, you're good, but when the tender moves to the unconnected flex track, power is lost. It seems like power is lost when the engine is a few inches down the track, but the "engine" in this case includes the tender.
Mr. Beasley,
Two good ones!
Excellent!
7j43k riogrande5761 If there is a section with no power add some feeders to it and problem solved. Ed
Reading Mr. Beasely's first idea sure sounds like adding feeders could help.
Well, this is confusing. I went over the entire layout with an acetone soake soaked eyeglasses cloth. Three times. Whoodathunk the track could leave such black gook on the rag. I then did the same thing to ALL the wheels on the motive power. Running the loco from the deadzone backwards I could go all the way around the layout (especially after I chipped away some over-solder). When I got back the starting point, which was the road crossing / rerailer, I went in the other direction. The loco stopped in the same spot as before. I'm so confused.
Cleaning track until the cows come home won't fix anything if you have a break in electrical continuity.
And even the cows know you can never have too many feeders.
MisterBeasley Cleaning track until the cows come home won't fix anything if you have a break in electrical continuity. And even the cows know you can never have too many feeders.
Simon
Instead of using wired rail joiners, I prefer to solder jumpers directly to the track web. If you have sections with rail joiners, just solder some jumpers to bridge the joiners.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR