Looking for info on making auto reverse boards for home layout. Need schmatic for making them. I need to make 12.
If you are thinking of a timer circuit with reversing relay type of thing, then I don't believe this can be done for DCC, only DC. For DCC you'd have to have a circuit that could generate the combined power supply/command signal to control the loco (ie. a small base station). I'm sure it's not impossible, but I'd think software in a cheap computer with an interface to a standard DCC system would be simpler. And welcome to Trainboard
Try looking at the following link. I am not sure if they have a circuit or not For DCC, but lots of other great ideas http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html#81
SantaFe834: Welcome to Trainboard. I think it would be much easier to buy the reverse loop module/switch. They are relatively inexpensive and work extremely well. I have five reverse loops including the turntable on the JJJ&E . Stay cool and run steam.....
HI: Go to: www.tonystrains.com/products.tteexclusive_pscb.htm Scroll down to: Power Shield Intelligent Reverser/ Breaker Have their PS 4 Breaker unit for 4 Power Districts on my Lenz DCC system and WILL get their Reverser, as it sparks less than any other on the market and the test results of this are there on the Tony's site with photographs. Click on the various blue subject lines at bottom of PSR data and it will show a LOT more info including photos of the units sparking at 'compare'. [ January 14, 2006, 11:30 PM: Message edited by: Old Tom ]
Old Tom: Any of the reverse loop modules produced by manufacturer's have the same quality. Stay cool and run steam.....
HI BOB: READ the Tony's comparison article! It shows in photographs the amount of sparking at moment of wheel contact at end of loop and the Tony's unit uses the least amout of amperage and thus causes the least amount of sparking; wheel and rail pitting, so this is my reverse module choice. This test was done by a third party. I rest my case. www.tonystrains.com.productcompare/dcc_autoreversers_bobd.htm [ January 14, 2006, 11:19 PM: Message edited by: Old Tom ]
Tony's makes some pretty cool products. I am also planning on using their autoreverser for my reverse loops. Good stuff
Thanks everyone for your input. I have been doing a lot of reserch on this. I'm working on converting a DC wired layout in N-Scale with over 350 ft of Main Line track, to running with DCC or still using DC if I want. It has 36 blocks, broken down into 12 electrical blocks. I can reverse to block power manually with a relay and toggle switch , but I want to do it auto. I have developed some circuits, for this, and I have quite a collection of info from Rob Paizelys web site. Now I have one more question. Do all the comerical reverser's use a LATHING Relay in them for the relay. Santafe 834
Old Tom: I have Tony's reverse loop module as well as those made by Lenz. Stay cool and run steam.....
Old Tom: I have Tony's reverse loop module as well as those made by Lenz. Stay cool and run steam.....
Old Tom: I have Tony's reverse loop module as well as those made by Lenz. Stay cool and run steam.....
Tony's does not use a relay. I've used both Tony's and MRC's and got rid of my MRC's they did not work reliably with my steam, tho they worked well with all wheel pickup diesels. Gary
The Lenz reverse loop modules work very well and I've been using them for over 6 years now. Stay cool and run steam....
For reversing loops, I have Digitrax AR-1 units. Once you adjust the amperage, they run flawlessly. As for (back and forth) reversing, that is another thing. I am in the process of planning * my last branch (coal branch) for my Albemarle Division. It will be a coal branch with several other sidings for thissa and thatta. One siding I am building with a stubend going into a tunnel portal. The tunnel will be deep enough to take an engine and a couple of cars. I plan using the thing as an operational siding... OR when I want, just having and engine backing in and out to the siding w/ the car... about every minute or two. I saw this done at the Great Scale Model Train show back in October and really liked the effect. So... I am watching this thread w/ great interest. *I have already purchased 1x4 lumber to start framing up... therefore, I am "planning"
