It appears that the fault lies with my NCE Power Cab AMP output that is too low to ensure proper functionality of the auto reversing device. It's rated at 5 AMP while my Power Cab have only 1.7 AMP. Apparently, what I need is a PSX-AR solid state model with adjustable current rating. This one range from 1.27 to 17 AMP. Im knocking on wood with my fingers crossed and hope this one will get the job done. Original first post is bellow the dotted line --------- It's an MRC Auto Reverse Module (model #AD520) that only reliably do it's thing on the near side of the reversing section. The far one does it only after I have removed the short myself. The near side is all nice and dandy, tho. It goes like "bing!" and the loco is on it's way like nothing happened. I tried everything. I've reached the point that I believe it's either a faulty unit or I am missing something too obvious to notice. The installation, workmanship wise, is spotless as far as I can tell. I really don't know what's what with that.:tb-wacky: oh, the "near side" is right on top of the module while the "far side" is a whoopin' 19 inches away. Thanks you very much for helping me out here.
It may have to do with the quality of the power pickup at the far side. It may be that you didn't stagger your gaps by about 1 cm as many sources suggest. I am assuming, too, that your train coming the other way is entirely within the reversing section, and that part of the train with metal wheelsets is not still outside the reversing section. It is illogical for the unit to want to reverse one end and not the other unless your wiring is incorrect. If the length of the reversing section is less than 1.5 m, you can easily rely on the efficacy of one pair of feeders to that section. That one pair of feeders should be all that enters the sensing terminals of the reverser, with the main power feed for the layout being the other inputs.
If you are having trouble with one end of the reversing section operating the same as the other end, I might suggest making both ends as close to electrically identical as possible. By this I mean placing feeders to each end of the reversing section from a "sub-bus" fed from your reversing module and doing the same to the approcah sections and the input to the reverser (don't depend on the rails for carrying power any distance, that's why busses were invented). This way the reverser will see no difference between a short across the entry gap or one across the exit gaps.
Hi, I had the same problem with one of a different make. I sent it back and found out that it was defective. I had the no charge replacement in less then a week. Gary
Assumption is the mother of all ... bad things And given that the OP suggests his reverse loop block is only 19" long: I'd think that metal wheelsets in the trailing cars is very possibly the problem.
He didn't exactly say that, he said the near end and far end were 19" apart. On a simple reverse loop, this distance can be as small as 2" ....with 10 feet of track in between. As an old consultant friend of mine once said: "It all depends".
Absolutely. Which is why I used the phrase "... the OP suggests ..." as that is one interpretation of his post. Specific answers depend on specific information.
OK here come some precisions. There is no car attached. The only cars I have are sitting behind a mountain many feet away. I have no powered cars anyway; only metal wheel sets with insulating plastic hubs. I tried many arrangements of power pickups and such as to no avail. It's always the same issue at the same place. I settled for the one featured in the attachment. Mind the mess. I was working hard! Im really so really lost now. I can't believe it's anything else than a dud. Thanks you for your time. I understand how hard it is to help with layout issues over the internet.:thumbs_up:
oh... Can the metal wheels influence the auto reverse module that much by simply being there? I mean they are not the powered kind of wheels, they are insulated and sitting still some place else on the layout. I hope it does not!!:tb-hissyfit:
If the wheel can span the gap on one side or the other they can create a short and thus make the reverser want to trip. That would be an issue uf the front of the train was over one set of gaps and the training car wheel spans the gap at the other end.
It would be best if you could provide a full schematic of the area. Show all of it, if possible. Also, what brand of turnouts are you using? Where are the feeders to the short 19" section you show? Your photo above is of too small an area for me to get a good sense of its context. That is why an accurate diagramme showing gaps and feeder locations, as well as the power routing supplied by the reverser, would really help.
Sitting somewhere else on the layout is no problem, momentarily bridging a gap at one end of the reversing section followed by another wheel set bridging a gap at the other end IS a problem. Thus the admionition to make reversing sections longer than your longest train. I can't see the rest of you llayout configuration, but my guess is yo need to move some gaps to make the reversing section longer. BTW, what happens if, rather than a train with metal wheels, you only run a locomotive through?
@dstuard: A single locomotive is all that ever went through the reversing section. I really am dumbfounded here... @COverton: Here you go. I hope it help. I also have actual pictures of the installation if you need them. edit: forgot to specify as requested that all trackage is Atlas N code 55. turnouts are all #7. frogs are not yet powered, if that matters Page 1: overview of the relevant vicinity: Page 2: close up on the wiring scheme:
Thanks for the image, Virgule. I would like to know what would happen if you move your yellow wires to the outer main to the right, and upward of the turnout that accesses the controlled tangent track. Otherwise, I can't explain why you are having trouble, and would begin to doubt the circuitry in the reverser.
OK I got it. What I did wrong was crossing the polarity of the the yellow wires. Hot damn that was something too obvious to notice by me because there was no notice to notice! Stick with me I'll show you all that. The instructions are fairly basic. There is not much to babble about in all honesty: Both yellow wires on one side, both red on the other side of an insulated gaps. There is no mention at all of wiring polarity. I presumed it did not matter; what come in one way go out the other? All of the auto reverse module wiring was welded (quite neatly!) to the tracks already and there is no way to make me dismantle that. Im all out of flex tracks anyway. What I did was hack the yellow wires in two then used alligator grips to bridge them to the main line, as per COverton request. BAM! instant success! It's working fine now. All of it all the time... but wait.. it made no sense to me. Just for experimentation sack I switched both the alligator's rail. BAM! no go! Im back at square one. I switch them right back and BAM! success again! So there I have it. I took duly note of the polarity and rewired accordingly at the original location. It kept working as it should. These little yellow buggers have undeclared polarity issues. Thanks you very much.
Im scouring the web right now. It seam the NCE Power Cab could be the real culprit. Not enough AMP and/or MRC unit too slow to react. It's a giant cloud of confusion and nobody seam to know enough about all that. Looks like I'll need a Tony's Train "On Guard! OG-AR". I don't know............:tb-frown:
I wish I could help, but no reverse loop here. I'm following this closely though, as I've considered getting this MRC unit and adding a reverse loop a few times. Keep us posted, and good luck. Oh.. I will say it is highly possible the Power Cab is not giving enough amps for the MRC reverser. I run the MRC Prodigy Express system and their amp ratings (as well as the other MRC systems I believe) are pushing the celling for N scale. :-/ So if their systems are hi-amped, it only makes sense they would design their accessories with that amprage in mind.
Nevermind that. "entry systems such as Zephyr lacks the power to operate OnGuard! OG-AR" yadda yadda A PSX perhaps? It have adjustable current trip level. From 1.27 to 17 AAMP. That must be the right one Case closed. I hope.
