First off, I want to thank everyone for their help in determining what I need to do to install a Peco electrofrog diamond crossing. Next question: I am incorporating a wye track instead of a turntable in my layout. It's been determined that I need a reversing module for my diamond crossing. Am I going to need another one for the wye track or can I use the same one I'm going to use for the diamond?? Looking forward to your comments...... Bill
It is the safest bet to have separate reversing modules for each place. In that manner, the traffic in one area does not affect the other. Sparks could fly if the crossing has the polarity reset by an engine on the wye and visa versa. Also I am not sure the the output stage on the reversing module can source to two outputs at the same time. Play it safe, after all, reversing modules are an insurance policy against ruining the decoders or the locomotives or other track powered rail cars.
Bill, A wye is no different from the normal turnout. Just make certain that you use insulated rail connectors on the two inner rails to prevent a short.
If you're running DC another alternative is to use a cheap trainset style 'transformer' for your Y section. Like Paul wrote, make sure you're rails are fully isolated. And instead of "sparks", if you fail to have the polarity set correctly, the loco will simply stall there (you may notice it 'rocking' back and forth at the point where the rails join) until you reverse it. Much cheaper than a reversing loop controller. Can anyone comment if this works for DCC? I would be concerned about having straight DC on one set of wheels while DCC on the other when a loco bridges the isolators.
If I remember correctly, Bill is going DCC on the layout and the wye is not part of a reversing loop but one leg of it is the lead to turntable.
That's correct Paul, however I've decided not to incorporate the turntable in the layout and just go with the Wye. It looks like I'll need a reversing module for the diamond and the Wye. Like someone else said, it's wise to be on the safe side with this. I don't want to start cooking locomotives or anything else.....
Bill, I really don't see any reason for a reversing module for the wye as it is just another turnout. The crossover needs either a DPDT switch or a reversing module and I would recommend the reversing module.
I'm sorry Paul. I guess I wasn't clear. I meant a wye track. A triangle in which engines can be turned. I believe that needs a reversing module....
Bill, I didn't think you had room on the layout for Wye, so I was assuming you were just referring to the SL-E397F
Bill, I assume the switches for wye are going to be manually ground-thrown. So, since you'll HAVE to throw the switch of the wye's tail (not a wife's tale ), why not mount a DPDT toggle on fascia, or whatever, near it. The four posts on corners of toggle get wires connected crisscrossed to it. Then one end of it (two corner posts go to tail-track past its points. The 2 center posts go to track power ( and or via jumper wires from any convenient running rails. Next, put gaps in between tail switch's 2 diverging tracks and the legs they connect to. ( I use coffee stirrer wood, white-glued in place then shaped to accept wheel flanges when glue is dry. IT's that simple and cheap.. When engine crosses gaps rolling toward tail track, toggle is thrown toward track engine is going to now enter.... Direction is changed and engine now goes into next leg of wye. If all 3 switches will be automatic I'd maybe go with a Hex frog Juicer type of polarity changer as the others suggest. Mark
