I'm using a MRC Command 2000 and plan to install a dozen "automatic reverse modules'. I'm assuming all brands work the same (sensitivity and speed) therefore price should be the primary criteria. I'm also assuming reliability isn't an issue. Am I corrent because I'm making a lot of assumptions without experience? Jim
Sorry, but they are not all the same. Some use mechanical relays and some are all electronic. Some are rated at 2 amps and some are rated at 4 amps and higher. Some work great with steam locomotives that have power pickup on one side of the locomotive and one side of the tender others won't work at all with this type of arrangement. I personally like the Power Shield Reverser sold by Tony's Train Exchange. It is a combination 5+ amp overload protection circuit and reverser all in one. And, just like the MRC unit it uses 2 wires in and 2 wires out. The Tony's units used to be cheaper than the MRC units but I just checked and they now are going for about $5 more. They are also hard to get. They have been having a hard time getting parts for the units lately. The MRC unit is limited to a maximum of 2 amps and doesn't have circuit overload protection. Another option would be the Digitrax PM-4. This unit provides circuit overload protection and reverse loop control for 4 separate blocks. I'm pretty sure you can use it with MRC but it requires programming the unit to tell it how you want it to work. Because it combines 4 zones on one board the cost per zone is about $16 versus the $30 per zone of the MRC and TTX units. ncng
NCNG, Thanks for your guidance. I'll look into my options and wouldn't have thaught the current protection feature would be improtant because the controller has overload protection, but it's better not to rely on the central unit. In reference to current limits, the decoders draw up to 300ma each thereby having two in tandum wouldn't influence a 2a vs 4a limit unless a series of trains are within the loop; correct? Thanks, Jimi
The amperage limit is for short circuit protection. If you have a reverse loop with a turnout as part of the loop, you risk a derailment and a short. The short will be at full amperage of your system. If your system only puts out 2 amps then a reverse loop controller rated at 2 amps is fine. If your system is 5 amps then you risk burning out the reverse loop controller if you derail and have a short. If you wait for your command station to detect the short and shut down it may be too late. ncng
Jim, Check out ttx-dcc, if I'm not mistaken he's done a comparison of the various brands of reverse modules. Now the info may be overkill, but you'll get a good feel for what each brand's features and benefits are.
Chris& ncng, Thanks for your inputs. I checked out the "ttx-dcc" site and found the information was very clear and unless there are newer products available the conclusion is that Tony's Trains modules with current protection is the best option. Currently I have the twelve reverse loops hard wired with toggle switches during the debug stage, but will shortly start the transition especially on the short sections. Take care, Jim
