BeachHouse posted:TThe Moonman posted:Ok, I am thinking this may be a Starter set issue - as in the transformer is only intended for use with the track (small loop) that is included with the set. I am thinking that the power supply breaker is kicking when the surge from the switch throws.
I noticed this from watching the video again - switch motor light on - train running - train hits switch trigger rail - switch out of position - switch throws - switch power light goes out and train stops. The surge of current required by the switch causes an overload.
Would you look at the specifications on the power adapter and post them? I didn't find them in the set instructions or the DCS Explore instructions.
You now have an "advanced layout" that would require a transformer with a higher current supply. The Z-1000 transformer only plugged into the DCS Explorer (replacing the starter set power supply) will most likely solve the issue.
You can bend that connector into shape with needle nose pliers.
Track assembly tip - Hold the pieces of track in a V with the railheads touching and the fold the ends down. The track will smoothly connect. This gets more difficult as you build a loop - so, holding one piece in half of the V or lifting both to get a flattened V still connects better than a straight, flat push together move. Disconnecting is the reverse, lifting the far ends from a joint up. Again, this is a pain on the first joint to break a loop, so, any small angle will unlock the tabs easier. This helps prevent bending the connector tabs.
I figured out how to assemble the track pieces when it was just a starter set but will admit I was trying to push them together flat on the table which was near impossible and probably caused the damage that I was able to fix last night with a needle nose pliers thanks for the V tip
It is a 50 watt power supply (see pic) with 15 volt output which is what I was getting on my voltmeter. I did look at picking up just the Z-1000 power brick used on ebay. If it is a power supply issue howcome the other switches do not cause it?
So just as a quick test I have made no other changes so everything else is constant. I plugged in the extra starter set power supply and connected it to the lock on in the inner loop via the banana plugs. This lock on was and still is using the wire nut connections from the outer loop lock on that I needed to get DCS signal to the inner loop. So I now have two 50 watt power supply to the track and I did notice a difference see videos. If you look carefully in both videos when the locomotive (just using one car for testing) triggers the switch controlor it does not fully engage and power to the entire track ceases, but when using two power supplies they exact same thing happens but the “extra power” perhaps is enough to kick in and override it? But I am not sure what technically is happening here but makes me think it is not a power issue but a polarity issue.
Thanks for the videos. OK, so, it is not that lame of starter power supply. Go back to just using one power supply again. Let's eliminate the switch controller by disconnecting the wires and run the engine thru from the straight with the switch set for turn. let the non-derail switch again.
Option#2 - has the motor been removed and reinstalled yet. I am considering a physical/mechanical hang up that is causing the overload. Does it move freely when turning the lantern? The pause with the two power supplies gives me cause to suspect somethin mechanical.
I also found when working with 250 ft of RealTrax that had been sitting in storage for 12 years that some of the switches were finicky. Some issues were resolved just by changing adjoining track. I could determine why and had too much work to investigate. We actually had some of the magnets come unglued from the motor and either remain in the switch or just get lost. I suppose age dried out the adhesive.
