I just installed a Digitrax AR1 on my layout for my reverse loop, and it doesn't seem to be working. The loop has been isolated at a turnout, pretty much mirroring the included directions, and all of the wiring has been checked, double-checked, and triple-checked. But it appears like the module, just isn't reversing the loop... the loco enters the loops just fine, but when it leaves the isolated loop on the way out there is confusion in the power flow and the loco stops dead. Video: There is a switch to adjust the sensitivity of the reverse switch but it doesn't seem to be doing anything. I did contact Digitrax, and am expecting a call back, but figured I'd post this up here as well... Thanks Forgot to mention... I AM running DC right now as I am in the process of acquiring decoders... is this the problem? PDF of Digitrax's installation instructions: http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/ar1.pdf
Is there a way you can run this on DCC to see if that is a problem also? I have an AR-1. The thing works like a champ, and was easy to install and adjust.
Digitrax told me its not meant for DC although I could have sworn their website says its for both applications... oh well. right now my only dcc loco's decoder is at mrc for repairs... so not right now, but I will try to get at least one more decoder here in the next few days.
Actually an AR1 will flip polarity on its output if DC is hooked up to its input. That's precisely why it won't work on a DC train. DC reverse loops need the polarity on the next block to be changed to keep the train moving. It can be used to power a frog on a switch but not for DC reverse loops. DCC requires the track under the train to have its phase corrected so that it matches the next block. An autoreverser swaps phase right under the engine and the decoder doesn't care. It just continues to run the train "forward". Swap polarity under a DC train and the train reverses rigt back over the block boundary where the reverser swaps polarity again, train changes direction... Martin Myers
Some auto reversers will work with DC, and I believe the AR1 is one of them; however, you can not use them the same way. Remember that with DC the polarity of the rails controls the direction of train travel, while in DCC the phase(the DCC equivalent of polarity) has no effect on the direction of travel. If you swap the phase of the rails under a moving train on DCC the train will continue on it's way as if nothing happened. If you swap the polarity of the rails under a moving train on DC, it will reverse direction. If you pay attention to the end of the video, you can hear the engine start moving again and as he pans over to it right at the end you can see that it is moving in the opposite direction. This is exactly what I would expect. I'm not sure why it paused before reversing, but I expect the current surge from the quick reversal either tripped a circuit breaker in the power supply or caused the auto reverser to trip more than once. To use the auto reverser with DC, you need to have a reversing switch on the rest of the layout and while the train is in the loop, reverse the rest of the layout so that the train can exit the loop smoothly.
May I sujest using a PM-42 it has 4 positions, From looking at your picture you not that far along so it a possibility that this would be beneficial in the long run .This board has the ability in you case to have 1 reversing loop (DC) and 3 circuit breakers you could use the three breakers for the yard, mainline, and a siding---- Now is a good time to install it as lf you have a short the led on the PM-42 will light up on the offending PIECE of track and you can trouble shoot it. If you go the The other way with no breaker protection you will have to trouble shoot the ENTIRE layout 100%;. instead of 25% of it This board has a whole lot of leads coming off of it but don't be intimidated as once you get the first section wired the other sections are the exact same except the loop. The AR-1 is DCC only, and the PM-42 is DCC and DC also. The PM-42 is computer programmable (5min) and can be more fined tuned. It can be manually programmed right on the board (30min) but can get a little time consuming Hope this helps
The PM42 can no more control a DC reversing loop than can the AR1 (or any other DCC reverser for that matter). This is because (as was pointed out above), that DC operation requires the polarity of the NEXT block to be changed to match the one you are currently in, while DCC operation relies on the phase of the CURRENT block (i.e., the loop) you are in to be flipped (or not) to match that of the block being entered or exited. It is true that the PM42 could provide short circuit protection for DC, but is of little use as a short on a DC block is generally current limited in any case, as running voltages are low (except for slot cars <G>). Bottom line - an auto-reverser works for DC only. Manual reversing switches used in DC operation will work for either control scheme.
Well Digitrax i advising me that the AR1 is for DCC only and to be honest, the only time it functions properly is when I'm running DCC
