Think I got it (first layout) -- Is My Wiring Correct?

Michael Doleman Feb 25, 2018

  1. Michael Doleman

    Michael Doleman TrainBoard Member

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    After a long evolution, and much great input, here, I think that I've finally arrived at a final plan for my first permanent layout. It's taken me a lot of work to come-up with a design that incorporates all the elements I wanted to have -- some elevation change, a reverse loop, room for a passenger station, some spurs, etc. Also, it all had to fit onto a narrow board.

    I'm using 5 sections of flex-track, to complete sections that otherwise would be impossible to join. The curves seem pretty natural and I feel relatively confident they should work fine.

    The main thing I am now approaching is the correct way to do the wiring. I'm using all Rokuhan track & controllers. I'm planning on using two separate power supplies, with each powered section separated from one-another with the power-routing double crossover. In the image, the dots on the track represent where I'll have power feeders, and the one with the red outline illustrates power coming from the auto-reversing control switch. My main question: does everything look about right?

    As always, thanks again to everyone that's given me some incredibly good guidance and input on things, in this forum. I've learned many times more, here, just by asking questions and reading other people's posts than I have from my books. :)
     

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    markm likes this.
  2. markm

    markm TrainBoard Supporter

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    Looks good to me. You might want to consider moving the power tap on one or more of you stub sidings to the other side of the turnout and use the turnout in power routing mode. This way you'll have a place to park a locomotive.

    Have fun,

    Mark
     
  3. Michael Doleman

    Michael Doleman TrainBoard Member

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    Well, okay, that's what I need to hear, because in all honesty that's what I thought I was doing... What am I missing...?
     
  4. markm

    markm TrainBoard Supporter

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    Michael,

    Here's my suggestion. It all depends on how you plan to add structure around the tracks, but the yellow spurs are short and to me the most likely candidates for parking a loco.

    I do have to tell you, I'm not certain that the double crossover will work right, but your design does match the instructions. I'll have to play with mine this week to confirm.

    Mark
     

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  5. Michael Doleman

    Michael Doleman TrainBoard Member

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    Okay, interesting. I think that I am not completely clear on how the power routing actually works, particularly with the double cross-over. I need to set-up some test sections and get it 100% clear in my head before I proceed. I'm confident that I like the design, but the wiring needs assistance. I did go with exactly what the Rokuhan booklet says to do, with the double cross-over... Yet, there are other things I've tried, with test set-ups, that didn't operate quite as I expected them to.
     
  6. markm

    markm TrainBoard Supporter

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    Michael,

    In the case of the turnouts, non-routing means that the power is conducted through all tracks on the turnout. For routing, the power is conducted only through the track the switch points to.

    The double cross-over works the same way. However, in your layout, there are two power sources to deal with and when you cross over it the locomotive is power by the green throttle on it's front track and the yellow throttle from it's back truck. A bit of a problem. As I understand it, to transfer a locomotive from yellow (Y) to green (G) through the cross-over you would need to do:
    1. set (G) off (direction switch center)
    2. set cross-over divergent.
    3. run (Y) through the diamond until it stops.
    4. Set (Y) off
    5. Turn on (G) and drive the loco off.

    Any other way I can think of would stall the engine and/or trip the throttle. I've go snow days coming, so I can play with this a bit more.

    Mark
     

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  7. Garth-H

    Garth-H TrainBoard Supporter

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    For two independent loops you need to isolate either side of the cross over, in cross over mode non power routing as shipped the two loops are connected as a common set, in non crossover mode the two loops are independent of each other. Rokuhan track feeds when you have two or more on a loop of track they both have to be inserted from same side of track either from inside the loop or from outside of loop. The correct placement of track feed is in the track in front of a turnout, that being the end with a single track connection. this is really important in power routing operation, so basically you have to decide if you want to operate two trains simultaneously or just one at a time as this will determine your correct wring.

    In non powering routing wiring the crossover need no special wiring or consideration other than placement of track feed, in cross over mode you can run continuously around both loops of track crossing over in center. In this mode you only need to isolate the reverse section of track , but you can not run non stop through that section you have to make changes to turnouts and reverse loop switch once the engine is in the reverse loop to exit, the reverse section. In power routing set up you reverse loop section is not long enough, because in power routing the section of track next the the turnout is power from position of the points unless you put an insulator right at the turnout. sidings that are dead ended in either power routing or non power routing there is no need for a power feed, beyond the turnout, unless you want to operate the engine with the turnout in closed position, in this case the turnout has to be power routing.
     

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