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i have the aforementioned power pack hooked up to some atlas code 80 track via a pair of unexceptional wired rail joiners.
problem is every time i flip the direction switch on the power pack, it automatically defaults to full throttle, and stays there, regardless of any throttle input i make. i don't know if it's a flaw in the power pack, or i've just made some incredibly basic wiring mistake, or what. i'm as far from an expert as possible. just starting out, in fact.
any insight you guys may have on this would be much appreciated. thanks.
The powerpack wiring is pretty basic and you really can't screw it up. Two wires to the track should run a train. Sometimes you need to reverse the wires if an engine is going forward when the powerpack is set for reverse, but it doesn't sound like this is you problem. You could try reversing the wires, just for the heck of it, but I suspect you have a faulty powerpack. Give Atlas a call Monday and see what their service tech has to say.
Just a hunch since I'm not familiar with that pack. If it is a DC throttle they usually have 3 sets of terminals. One is for track power from the throttle and is usually marked either Track or Variable DC. Another is full 12 to 16 volts DC for accessories. The third is typically 12 - 16 volts AC for other accessories.
Is it possible you have the track connected to one or even both of the full 12 - 16 DC terminals and not the track DC terminals? That would instantly send your engines off at full speed with no control.
It wasn't a waste of time at all. Glad to hear you got it corrected before an engine took off into low orbit just before it ricocheted off a wall and onto the floor.
Good one, Mike, I never even thought of having one wire on the wrong terminal but I should have. Sometimes the simplest answer is also the most likely.
Just a simple polarity issue Jim. One track lead on the wrong pair of DC terminals is all it takes. In one direction the throttle rheostat is in the circuit and when direction switch is changed it is not.
Yeah, I know. As soon you mentioned it, it was one of those head slapping moments, where having only one side of the rheostat in the circuit was about the only thing that could cause the direction switch to change to full voltage and have the runaway train. I just sometimes forget what seems so simple to us can be an easy mistake for a newcomer to make.
