DCC train control and the Walthers 130' turntable

SteamDonkey74 Nov 23, 2008

  1. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I am wondering if anyone has used DCC for the track power on a Walthers 130' turntable, and if they would share their wisdom.

    There are two terminals for attaching DC or DCC track power. I was thinking that this should be a simple case of using each wire from a DCC system instead of from a DC pack, but before I attempt this and screw something up I thought I should check to make sure that this is all I do.

    I am not attempting to control the movement of the turntable with DCC. I like the controller that came with it.

    I am also thoroughly impressed with this thing, excluding the arch at the center of the bridge that was so brittle it started falling apart when I was installing it.
     
  2. Harron

    Harron TrainBoard Supporter

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    You will need an auto-reversing module for the turntable. DCC power into the module, then from the module to the two leads on the turntable. Almost as simple as you think, but not quite. The auto-reverser will make sure that you don't short after you spin locomotives. This is the same for any turntable, any scale, either control system (DC or DCC) since you need to switch the polarity after the turntable spins.
     
  3. jackwade

    jackwade TrainBoard Supporter

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    I do believe that the turntable handles auto reversing by its self so no special wiring is required.
     
  4. jdcolombo

    jdcolombo TrainBoard Member

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    I have a Walthers turntable wired using DCC. You don't need a reversing module. The turntable is designed to reverse polarity when the bridge is rotated. Note that there is a "dead spot" in the turntable's "circle" where this occurs, and you can't have any approach or exit tracks hooked up at that dead spot - so make sure you install the turntable correctly. After that, just hook the power wires up to the terminals and have at it. You will need to check the initial polarity of the bridge track to make sure it matches the exit and approach tracks, but that's easy enough to do. Put an engine on the approach track and run it onto the bridge; if you get a short, reverse the track feeder wires to the turntable. Then run the loco out on an exit track. If you get a short, reverse the polarity of the exit track wires. When this is done, you're finished. Works perfectly.

    One additional tip: be sure to follow Walther's recommendation to file the ends of the approach/exit tracks to a point at a 45-degree angle. The indexing mechanism is excellent, but not absolutely perfect. The filing makes sure that if the bridge stops just a hair off line, you won't have wheels "picking" the rails and falling off. I learned this the hard way, so don't repeat my mistake . . .

    John C.
     
  5. Harron

    Harron TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well at least they finally made em with the reversing units built-in! :thumbs_up:
     
  6. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks to all for your answers. I had seen that it is indeed auto-reversing in DC, and I figured it out to carry through to DCC as long as I keep it in phase with its feeder tracks.

    The instructions that came with this are pretty complete as far as installing and programming, but I think they leave a little to be desired in terms of explaining usage of DCC.
     
  7. poozinsc

    poozinsc TrainBoard Member

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    DCC is not a problem with the Walthers turntable. I've powered mine exclusively with it since day one. I consider it to be one of my best investments for my layout.
     
  8. Seabee66

    Seabee66 New Member

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    Walther's 130' Turntable Overload

    I recently installed a Walther's 130' turntable to my site. The problem that I'm having is that when one of the turntable tracks (lets say end "A") croses one of the "No track" end of the pit, the system goes into Overload. Other than that, the turntable works fine

    I have installed an auto reverse module into the system

    Richard
     
  9. jdcolombo

    jdcolombo TrainBoard Member

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    If you are using DCC, you do not need an auto reverse module for the turntable. The turntable automatically reverses polarity when it turns past a half circle (there is a "dead spot" in the circle the turntable traverses; when it moves past this dead zone, it reverses polarity). You should try taking out the reversing module and see if that cures your problem.

    I run my turntable just fine with a Digitrax Chief system and two regular track feeders to the turntable bridge. You do have to get the initial polarity of the bridge track feeders correct (so that it matches the polarity of the approach and exit tracks), but once you've done that, if you turn an engine, the bridge reverses polarity on its own.

    John C.
     
  10. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Richard,

    Welcome to Trainboard!

    I second the suggestion to remove the autoreversing module and see if that solves the problem. I know mine is autoreversing. This turntable is one of the best things I have purchased in off-the-shelf N-scale railroading.

    Good luck!

    Adam
     
  11. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    The Walthers new 130 foot turntable automatically changes the polarity of the rails. An auto-reversing module/switch isn't necessary.

    By adding a reversing module to the turntable is the cause of your problems. Once you remove the reversing unit you added the turntable will perform flawlessly.
     
  12. B&SGE

    B&SGE New Member

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    I've been reading through this old thread because I've recently installed one of these things in HO scale and have a problem that someone else might have solved. See diagram:

    I'm using DCC track power and the AC accessories terminals from an old power pack to power the motor, and the polarity on the svc tracks matches that of the turntable. The Auto-reverser works fine for engines entering and exiting via the svc tracks, but not for the exit tracks (here shown as storage and escape). Reversing the track power leads on the stub-end storage track(s) fixes that problem, but it obviously won't work for the escape track.

    Has anyone encountered this problem? Does anyone have a suggestion?

    Thanks,
    Vagel
     

    Attached Files:

  13. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    I haven't installed this, yet, but I think the issue is that you have the reversed polarity tracks on the same side of the "no track zone". The table reverses itself as it goes through the zone. (If I've misunderstood how the table works, please correct me).
     
  14. B&SGE

    B&SGE New Member

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    Rick, I thought that might be the problem, too, so I tried going the long way 'round, passing through the auto-reverser: same problem. I'm stumped! Vagel
     
  15. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    With the track arrangement in the diagram you created a "Wye" which needs a separate auto-reverse module/switch installed in the "Wye". The Walthers turntable has its own mechanism for changing the polarity of the track on the bridge of the turntable.

    It cannot change the polarity of the "Wye" arrangement.
     
  16. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    If Vagel moves the no-track zone to be between the two sets of tracks, shouldn't the "autoreversing" of the turntable act as the Wye auto-reverse? Agree, as shown the wye needs an autoreverse on the lead in track.

    The way I've read the turntable info, the polarity of the bridge track is switched as it crosses the no-track zone, not an "auto reverse" as we normally think of it. The best way to consider is to draw out the polarities of connected tracks across the table from each other. On one side of the zone, the A-rail is on the clockwise side of the track, and, on the other side of the zone, on the counter-clockwise side. The turntable's switching is to make sure that the bridge track always maintains this polarity as it meets up with tracks.
     
  17. B&SGE

    B&SGE New Member

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    I did as Rick suggested and he's right. The problem with the existing arrangement is the bridge either doesn't pass through the reverser, or it passes through it twice enroute from the service tracks to the escape track. Either way, the bridge rails have opposite polarity to the exit tracks. Moving the no track zone to a point between the legs of the "wye" I've created will match the polarities. The only problem I have now is that a 9-stall roundhouse goes at the bottom of this diagram, so I will have to locate the stalls before re-orienting the turntable. :worried:



    Thanks for the help, guys!

    Vagel
     

    Attached Files:

  18. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Where that no track zone appears is really important.

    Glad you got it sorted out. I figured you'd already tried that, so I was trying to cook up some way to wire in an auto-reverser.
     
  19. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Vagel,

    With careful planning, you may be able to keep the roundhouse where it is; just that some stalls will have reversed polarities from others. Have the "no zone" point at a partition between stalls.
     
  20. darticus

    darticus TrainBoard Member

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    Just purchased the Walthers 130 foot turntable (not the DCC one) and found you need 2 inches below the turntable to install it. Is this true as I think it the same as the DCC one? Anyone install one yet. Nothing says this on the package or in the walthers catalog. Found it printed on the instruction sheet in the sealed box and don't want to cut the plastic packageing on the turntable to see the reason for the depth. Tough when you installing on a door. Any suggestions! Just thought I would ask as many here have installed this already. What is the advantage of the DCC turntable? Thanks Ron ​
     

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