https://blog.model-train-help.com/2019/04/sudden-dcc-section-power-failure.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sudden-dcc-section-power-failure Model railroads and model trains Wed, 08 May 2019 20:37:19 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://blog.model-train-help.com/2019/04/sudden-dcc-section-power-failure.html#comment-29626 Wed, 08 May 2019 20:37:19 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5177#comment-29626 At times I have had the same problem, I found that just moving the train by hand a foot or so frees up the problem. If this works, next time this happens,cut all power. Then using an ohms meter clamp one lead to a rail, the attach the other by hand if you read a short, start at either end of you consist and remove one car at a time making sure that the rest of the consist does not move, until you have found the car giving the short. The repair that car.

]]> https://blog.model-train-help.com/2019/04/sudden-dcc-section-power-failure.html#comment-29511 Sat, 04 May 2019 04:08:36 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5177#comment-29511 Further to my comment do not rely on track to connect the power through the fish plates or joiners run a bus wire right around the layout and connect to every section of track make sure the polarity is right,

]]> https://blog.model-train-help.com/2019/04/sudden-dcc-section-power-failure.html#comment-29297 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 12:18:18 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5177#comment-29297 With power off use a multimeter on resistance scale. Put one lead on good side of track and the other to its connecting track. If it shows no reading you have broken the electrical connection. Try both rails. You will probably ending up putting jumpers in.

]]> https://blog.model-train-help.com/2019/04/sudden-dcc-section-power-failure.html#comment-29294 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 11:33:08 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5177#comment-29294 The problem may be in the way the points are set if using live rog points then you will need to read up on the wiring of these for DCC. Insul frogs are better but need drop wires on the track onto the main bus but these need to be connected the right way round otherwise they could short out on switching the track to the other rails.

]]> https://blog.model-train-help.com/2019/04/sudden-dcc-section-power-failure.html#comment-29274 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 03:14:29 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5177#comment-29274 GO TO HARBOR FRIGHT AND BUY A MULTI METER ABOUT 20 $. PLUG IN THE SYSTEM AND PUT THE TUNGS ON THE TRACKS LOOK AT METER IF THE METER HAS A – ON IT CHANGE THE BLACK AND RED TUNGS AROUND . ON THE TRACKS THAT WORK U SHOULD GET 5 V DC.
FORGET MAKE SURE THE METER IS ON DC.

]]> https://blog.model-train-help.com/2019/04/sudden-dcc-section-power-failure.html#comment-29205 Sat, 20 Apr 2019 23:53:05 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5177#comment-29205 Try connecting “around” the suspect joints with a wire, we would call that wire a jumper cable! Same thinking as the jumper cables to start a flat battery in a car. Obviously don’t use that size cable !!
Any way before you make the connection put a loco on the dead track, turn some power on the rails then make the connection! If the loco moves you’ve found the problem! Fish plates, if they’re loose, will trip you up very quickly.
However, any multi Meter set to DC volts for DC control will give a reading and AC volts for DCC. This is better than using a loco, especially for a DCC layout. You need to avoid sparks (spikes) with DCC. The decoders don’t like it all. No need to know how I know!
Finding faults is an elimination process. Start where you think your problem begins then methodically work your way through, and suspect everything!
Good luck
Pete

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