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Reply to "New Member new layout question"

BF11019E-B705-4455-893B-48E85BAD813909B589FB-918F-48CB-955D-6828BF7C7CDCMixed Freight posted:

Your instruction manual wiring diagram and instructions are so screwed up, I don't know how anyone can properly wire their layout following these instructions and drawings to the letter.  I've got the same instructions with my switches, but I didn't pay any attention to this particular section when I put my layout together.  Thank goodness for that!

First off, if you are using an SPDT switch to route power as they show, then you need to wire it up to the center rails (which they don't show in the diagram), and not to the "outer" rails.  And isolate the center rails, of course.  If you have at least one reversing section (which you do have), then an outer rail can become an "inner" rail as you travel through a reversing section, and thereby cause potential electrical problems.

As far as isolating rail sections, don't bend out the brass copper connectors if you wish to electrically isolate a connection.  Why ruin good pieces of track?  Simply put a small piece of electrical tape on one (or both) of the copper connectors to prevent them from contacting each other.  Make sure the rail ends don't touch either, as we have previously learned.

If you are powering your switches through the track, then the momentary power draw as a switch "snaps" may be causing your problem.  You may wish to try powering your switches through the accessory output of your transformer or else a separate transformer.

Just some suggestions, hopefully this helps you further along.

Well one more step forward tonight as seen in picture when I was going to tape off the connectors I noticed the bent one on a straight piece and replacing that did make a difference. 

I am not running SPDT and have no other power options currently  I am not sure if I want to take the plunge on a WIU TIU AIU at this point  

Like you said It is definitely a polarity issue which I did not think I would have with three rail and these switches. When the power shuts off and I refresh the app that is temporarily resolving the polarity issue but it just returns.  It has nothing to do with the O72 VS O31 but the switches on the inner reversing loop. I tried electrical tape and spacing and have all switches working properly with the exception of switch number 2  if the train is traveling in the direction from switch 3 towards switch 2 and switch 2 is not open it engages but I loose all power like in the short video I posted  I will try some electrical tape combinations tomorrow to see if I can finally get this resolved  

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Last edited by BeachHouse

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