I have several Atlas Code 83 #4 turnouts on my new DCC layout. And, it seems on almost every one, when a train pass over this spot: There is a momentary short and the whole system shuts down for a couple seconds, then starts up again and carries on like normal. This is happening no matter how hard I attempt to make sure the rails are straight, in line, and within acceptable gauge. Are Atlas 83 #4's just junk? Is anyone else having this problem? Is there a solution? I'm using a foam roadbed and all Atlas 83 track. There is a combination of snap and flex track being used. I've run feeders to many of the rails to a bus and soldered joins in the expanses between feeders. I'm using the Digitrax system. The #6 turnouts, incidentally, are not having this problem in any way.
If I'm seeing what it looks like I'm seeing then I'd think that the back of a wheel is touching the rail from the other side as it comes into the frog from the left. They've brought the metal rails too far in - the plasic guardrail sections should extend further to the left so a wheel back only hits plastic. If I'm right then, yes, Atlas 83 #4's are just junk
You are exactly right... that is the precise event that is causing the sudden, short, spark and momentary short. So, that means the dozen or so #4's I bought are a waste . Alternative's?
If the short is ocurring when wheel backs touch the closure rail where it meets the frog, you might try some clear fingernal polish on the inside of the closure rails to insulate them. It might not last forever, but it could help for now. Peco N-scale insulfrog turnouts have a similar (although not identical) issue where the two frog rails come in close proximity to one another and wheel treads can contact both at the same time. Nail polish has saved many an NTRAK module from the dead line.
I have purchased lots of Atlas turnouts over the course of several decades. Some have the shorting problem and others don't. I've used a dot of nail polish next to the frog to eliminate the problem. Sometimes I've had to redo the dots, but mostly it has been a long term (although not permanent) solution. All turnouts (regardless of manufacturer), will need routine maintenance and occasional tweaking to operate at their best. Consider adding the dots to turnouts as part of the routine maintenance you have to do to keep any layout in good working condition. I've spent a heck of a lot more time on other routine maintenance tasks than I've ever had to spend on dotting turnouts with nail polish. You'll probably spend a lot more time cleaning wheels and track, or adjusting locos for smooth running and good electrical pickup, or solving an elusive DCC electrical problem than you'll spend putting nail polish on turnouts.
:thumbs_up: Thanks for the tips! Before I came back and read the replies, the idea occurred to me to use clear nail polish on the inside flange to see if it would stop the short... And it does! :angel: Simple, elegant, inexpensive and low tech... I love it!
Man I hate these type of threads! To find out my 40 Atlas 83 #4 turnouts have to be replaced because they are junk! The worst part is my turnouts have been working flawlessly for 3 years. On the bright side... this will give me something to do rather than just operate my trains everyday.
I run N but are you sure that your wheels are gauged properly? I have had similar experiences with Atlas N-scale #4 and it turned out that the loco wheels are too narrow. Once I gauged them properly the short went away.
Yes... I checked gauges on the wheel sets and the turn-outs as well... made adjustments where necessary and still, on quite a few of the #4's had this problem. The clear nail polish solution has appeared to completely solve the problem, however.
