Comments on: Layout Built Without Track Plan

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:09:00 +0000

I have found that the easiest way to check track curcuits is to build a temporary unit that clips onto the track wherever you want it. Hte unit touches both rails with two LEDs wired in reverse so one color lights up with DC positive and lightsd up with a different color if the current is reversed. You can put these anywhere and they draw so little current that you can cover your whole layout at once if you want. I run American Flyer (AC, not DC) so I use the same technique. I unplug the AC transformers and hook on a AA battery instead and it works great.

By: Herb sr

Herb sr — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:25:00 +0000

Earl, seems like your problem started after you fixed you rough track problem, I would say that area is your problem since you were running before you did that. I would go back to that part of your track and check that out for crossed wires, bad connection or whatever.

By: Ken Malgren

Ken Malgren — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:12:00 +0000

I agree with Alan, and multitesters have come down in price. If you have a Harbor Freight near you, you can get a basic one for under $5. Otherwise try a Radio Shack or similar electronics store. If you are using DC, test the same polarity at each site. If the meter shows minus voltage, you might have wires reversed. I use different color wires to maintain polarity. If you are using DCC, your command center should give you an audible warning if you have crossed wires (short circuit).

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:04:00 +0000

I have built crazy layouts also this way, even different gauges at same time, when I was younger and less accurate, on same 8×8 board. Assumuming that the basics are good, power pak, soldered track and connections and locomotives are operational, you probably have a short. These next ideas may sound stupid but it is usually the simple things that get us in trouble especially with wiring. Looking at your layout from one side did you cross phase the wires on the track ex: keep out side track w/ outside track and inside w/ inside A and B continuity. I like to use different color coded wires for all my wireing. Do you have insulator connectors in the right position again A and B track to segregate a line, I like to do both so there is no question, it takes a little more work but worth it to me. Do you have a reverse loop in your layout, this I will not go into because it can be confusing w/o a diagram, Atlas explains this in one of their layout books, worth the cost and gives you more ideas for you layout, mix and match. Difficult but pretty easy to correct. I hope this helps.
Tony

By: cl

cl — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:56:00 +0000

One tool to help trackdown electrical problems is a simple and cheep continuity tester, available at any hardware store. I have found many frustrating mistakes using one. Good luck.

Cliff

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:42:00 +0000

I assume that the layout is HO.

There seems to be a lack of power somewhere on Earl's layout. There are a couple of tools that might help find the problem.

1) The use of a Volt-Ohm-Milliamp (VOM) meter set to the DC Volts scale is best. By placing one probe on one rail and the other probe on the second rail (and sliding them along the rails) one can see if there is voltage on the track.

2) A simpler suggestion is the use of a bidrectional LED available from Radio Shack or local eleoctronics store. Being bi- directional the LED will burn red when current flows in one direction and green when current flows in the opposite direction. Be sure to place a current limiting resistor (usually 330-500 ohms) in series with the LED. Just slide the leads of this LED and resistor device along the rails to find where the LED does not light and there is the dead section. It will also show if the polarity is reversed.
good luck.
Tom

By: PrairieTrains

PrairieTrains — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:04:00 +0000

You didn’t say whether or not you were using DCC or 12volts. Either way, it sounds like a short. Most often with new layouts these are caused by reverse loops – even tiny ones. The tester mentioned before with also check for shorts. Use it as a continuity tester – some beep at you with a short and some just peg the meter, You really can’t run a RR without a good multimeter! My 2 cents worth, Pat

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:58:00 +0000

I think Alan has the right idea. You should start with your power supply. Recently I found that my small layout, which worked perfectly at Xmas, would barely move my locomotives, even after cleaning the track with 91% alcohol. I have 3 different power packs and will try it with all 3. The power feeds appear to be OK (continuous wire from soldered connections to the outside of the rails. If all else fails, I will hit the rails with 10 micron polishing paper (you cannot feel the abrasive, it is so fine). You can buy testing devices that will indicate, when laid on the rails, whether power is flowing or if there is a short. Good luck.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:24:00 +0000

chinsHello Earl,
I’ve had problems with transformers after alot of use.I was scatching my head wondering what was going on. then I tested track,wire and then transformer.I found the transformer was not putting out voltage all the time.I was just useing it? A volt,VOM meter is the best way to go. You can get them for around $9.. Dave

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:49:00 +0000

Electric problems:
My suggestion is a VOM meter (volt ohm and amp)in dc mode. If you have the volts (measured) and can draw the amps without lowering the voltage,it will run.
Start from the transformer and measure every few track segments until you find the change.
Good luck, Ralph

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:53:00 +0000

Earl,
First, are you using a transformer or the new DCC power system? Jack

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:41:00 +0000

I totally agree,you need to start testing your layout with a multimeter just set it at the volt range ie DC and start at power in to lines.A reasonable meter will also give an audio signal if you have a short.Best of luck.Tom