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Hey guys as I was laying track i ran across a short. I know what's causing it, just don't know how to fix it. Its pretty much a run around track but at each end is two Left hand insulforg peco switches. Now I know this is causing me my short (the two switches facing each other) but how do I cure the problem?
Do I need to just run one of my jumper wires to the correct side or do I need to rewire the whole switch? Hopefully I didnt confuse anyone when trying to explain this.
Chad
Switches
Chad, two switches facing each other wouldn't cause a short unless you've crossed feeder wires, especially on insulfrog turnouts. Is one of the turnouts part of a reverse loop or wye? That would cause a short. If you can give us a diagram showing the track layout in the area and where your feeders are it'll be easier to get to the bottom of the problem.
Roy
Roy,
I'll have to draw it out as I haven't figured out just yet how to work those fancy computer track programs.
The area giving me the short is on the lower section going across the table at a angle. I made it as a run around track. As you can see there is no reverse loops. The whole layout is just two main lines with a crossover from the outter loop to the inner loop close to where the two tables join.
... As you can see there is no reverse loops.
Sorry - Yes you do have a big ol' reversing loop!......
Running South on the inner line onto the lower table, then heading back North thru your "diagonal" line will reverse...... That section needs insulating and an autoreverser. [Other than that, it looks OK to me (?)]
Good luck,
Cheers,
Ian
the diagonal line in bottom lower module is a reverse loop causing the short.
ADD:
Looks like Ian there was faster then me answering ...
Beat me to it
You guys beat me to it. Definitely a reverse loop. Chad, you need the insulated joiners, or gaps, referred to by Ian at each end of the angle across the bottom. An auto reverser is an absolute necessity.
Roy
Yeah I noticed that also as I was looking more at my drawing. Next problem is the spur coming off the bottom table closest to the edge when its aligned to the main it works fine when you throw it for the spur my controller starts shorting out also...any idea why? And thanks guys for your help!
Yep Reverse loop! If your on DCC Check out MRC automatic reversing unit. Its simple to wire in and you never have to bother with it again. if your on DC....ya .have fun playing with all the toggles!
...Next problem is the spur coming off the bottom table closest to the edge when its aligned to the main it works fine when you throw it for the spur my controller starts shorting out also...any idea why?
That's when you're "making" the loop reverse - Set for the main, no problem, throw it and you've got the short - Peco insulfrogs route the power, and set for the diagonal you're creating the short.
FWIW, the PS-AR from Tonys Trains is another highly regarded auto-reverser.
HTH, cheers,
Ian
Yep get the Tony's Trains PSX-AR reverser, they work well. And are completely silent. (unlike the noisy digitrax reverser). Worth the money.
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