Hi all, ok - first up, I am a dumb newbie... but this problem I thought would be pretty easy, but it is driving me crazy not been able to sort it out. I have a huge pile of Kato unitrack and a new Digitrax Zephyr system. I have made my layout like the attached and all seemed to run well. I started with one loco running it around and as soon as I threw some switches, the power went off - which I was expecting as it was not routed to that part . So, I put in a booster - problem fixed. Keep driving around, change switch, more power out - so put in a booster in that section and away I went again. All was going well for about 1/2 hour kept repeating above. Then.. I throw a switch and my layout shorts out. hmm.. so I back track, unplug last booster and all well again. Anyway, to cut a long story short, no matter where I put the boosters, I either get a short, or no power. It is driving me crazy. I have searched the net all over and even this forum. There is a thread about three years old which addresses this (sort of). Some say you need to isolate your points (as i call them), some say you don't. There are threads showing pulling swithches apart even ! All I want to do is just use the layout I have built without it all shorting out when I throw a certain switch. Is anyone able to help me - I hope this is just a simple, dumb question that is easily answered. I certainly don't want to start pulling switches apart. Note, that this is the fourth "mess around" layout I have done with kato unitrack - trying to find one I like, and this is the first time it has happened. Maybe I am being to complex with the layout, but I really like this one ! thanks in advance !!
You have a reverse loop causing a short. Looks like the blue track is the culprit, disconnect it and see if you still have an issue.
Also a dumb newbie, so you may have already checked this, but the blue section in your plan looks like a reversing loop. Do you have it wired with an auto-reverser? If not, I believe that would cause the issue you describe as this would cause a short.
Check out a Digitrax AR1, you would need to isolate that blue section, but it should fix it. http://www.digitrax.com/prd_powerman_ar1.php
WOW ... fixed !! How good is this board !! Just disconnected the middle of the blue area and that was that. Doooh... i guess that is why the area was blue... Thanks guys ! Ok, so all I need to do now is research how to wire a reverse loop...
thank you Rick.. I have posted in the DCC area - so maybe someone will help there. Being in Australia, terminology is a little different (so are we it seems...) .. thanks again!
I see you're using Digitrax, here is a link to their AR1 Auto Reversing controller, there is a link to a PDF instruction sheet on the page to show how it is set up. Digitrax.com: Digitrax AR1 Auto Reversing Controller I figured from the power points that you were another Aussie.
Thanks for that.. yes - aussie! I downloaded the .pdf, but a little unsure how that applies to my blue section? Do I need one or two? how is it wired.. do I have to cut my rails at each end?
You only need one, you'll need gaps or insulated joiners in both rails at each end of the blue section and feed the power to it through the AR1.
