D&J RailRoad
Professor of HO
I have Tortoise machines all over my layout and on the modules. I use the switch features on the Tortoise for frog power and dwarf signals.
The problem I'm having is momentary shorting of track power when I throw some of the turnouts. Not all of them do it.
I have checked the polarity to the frog and it's correct, closed or thrown. The power for the frog is taken from the track buss wire. Because I use 3/4" plywood on the layout and 5/8" plywood on the module, the provided throw wire isn't stiff enough so I've replaced them with #16 piano wire.
The turnouts throw all the way and the points are held firm against the stock rail on each side.
It's just a momentary short that stops all trains during the switch transition. They all resume movement right away after the turnout finishes it's movement. The Tortoise does not stop moving during the short as they are powered by DS64s with PS14 power supplies. The locos aren't on the turnout when it's thrown. Sometimes a couple feet away other times 20 feet away or more.
The problem I'm having is momentary shorting of track power when I throw some of the turnouts. Not all of them do it.
I have checked the polarity to the frog and it's correct, closed or thrown. The power for the frog is taken from the track buss wire. Because I use 3/4" plywood on the layout and 5/8" plywood on the module, the provided throw wire isn't stiff enough so I've replaced them with #16 piano wire.
The turnouts throw all the way and the points are held firm against the stock rail on each side.
It's just a momentary short that stops all trains during the switch transition. They all resume movement right away after the turnout finishes it's movement. The Tortoise does not stop moving during the short as they are powered by DS64s with PS14 power supplies. The locos aren't on the turnout when it's thrown. Sometimes a couple feet away other times 20 feet away or more.