Greetings folks, I could use help with auto-reversing of loops. My layout will have two loops and if possible I would like to set things up so I can set a train running and let go of the throttle and both the polarity and the Kato #6 turnouts will be flipped. I realize this can be done easily in DCC but I am not ready to go there. Um, er, is there a DCC solution that does not require DCC in the locomotives?
I am not aware of any for DC layouts unless someone has figured out how to do this automatically. All that I know of are using a DPDT switch. Possibly a sensor between the rail could switch a DPDT relay when the loco passes over the sensor. Not sure of the electronics that would be involved. Rich
Look at the below link about reversers. Direct all questions to the person who has the site. http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html Anyone reading this message, store the link in Favorites. You or someone else will require the link. Try to remember, there is a community here. Rich
Back in the day, Circuitron was the big source of solutions. I don't know if it's still easy to get their AR-1, but it's still in their catalog. See: http://www.circuitron.com/index_files/301CAT.pdf (Big PDF file.) See page 34 of the PDF for a basic outline of the method. The AR-1 is designed to flip track polarity. Flipping the turnouts as well will take a little more figuring, especially with Kato turnouts that require momentary actuation. But it can be done, for example, by using relays attached to the AR-1 outputs to some kind of momentary actuation circuit.
Circuitron still makes the AR-1 device and it works just fine. You will still need to either manually throw the reverse loop turnouts or they can be operated with switch motors and Circuitron makes a device to do that also. Contact them and they can advise you on what to get. Yes, I have a friend who has just such a set up on his HOn30 layout...reverse loops at the ends and automatic polarity switch with switch machine operation for a "hands off" loop to loop operation on a DC layout. Woodie
You can reverse the polarity using the both an Tortise machine of a Peco machine that I know of. Peco makes the micro-switches that are attached below the switch machine that you can tie the power leads to and it will switch the polarity for you based on position of the switch.
These automatic circuits are interesting but the cheapest way to do this is by purchasing two (2@) DPDT toggle switches. There are wiring schematics available in many of the books written for model railroad, wiring projects. These will illustrate (better then I can) and tell show you how to wire them in. I use them and all it takes is a minimal amount of knowledge to wire them in, some memory on how and when to flip them, some discipline and you are off and running.
I found this while hunting around, this is a DCC, the way it has an isolation section. it might work in dc mode. Brad http://www3.telus.net/HarrisFamily/ReverseLoopPage.html
Nope, won't work for DC. The key difference is that with DCC reversers, the polarity of the LOOP is flipped to match that of the main up ahead (and right under the train at that - polarity doesn't affect train direction with DCC). For DC, you flip the polarity of the MAIN (while the train is safely in the loop) to match that of the loop, the polarity of the loop remaining fixed. The DC approach will work for DCC, but the reverse (pun intended) is not true.
i did one for our clubs N scale layout that took all of 5 minutes to install. it kinda goes off what others have mentioned but you only need a DPDT. in fact with DCC if you don't need the auto feature you only need a DPDT as well. just gap both ends, install a feeder to the rails inside the reversing section, attach to the center poles of the switch. then take the rails on either side of the loop and hook them up in the corresponding rail (in my case with colors, all red went on the outside of the loop and the rails that shared the polarity outside the loop and black on the inside.) . that requires no hooking up to the pack but you still have to reverse direction in DC. under DCC the units should still move.
Thanks everyone for your replies. Yes, I quite agree that a couple of DPDTs would do the trick and I even know how to wire them, (plus I have "Harron's" assistance). My hope is to have areas of my layout where I can just let trains run while I "operate" a train. The circutron solution looks viable. -------- All of that said, in the last few days as I worked on the layout expansion plans I realized that instead of a loop to loop I can just do an oval for continuous running and a reverse loop for operations. So, thank you again for your input. It has not been in vain as I will keep the information, (I saved the thread to my local drive as I am sure I'll want to do this later. PS: If anyone quotes me as claiming I want to "operate" a train. I'll deny everything. /yes, I'm joking.
