Skip to main content

Reply to "VJandP - Getting Started"

@VJandP posted:

Today was a little frustrating.  Was hoping to have some trains running but electrical issues derailed those plans - pun intended.

Issue: Track power is erratic.  Engines will stall and the lanterns on the turnouts will go out.    

I think part of the issue are the turnout’s sensitivity to how level they’re laying which I’ve already noticed.   But now that I have the track Tetris’d together, the slight bows and humps are causing issues.   If I press down the road bed, that section will be ok.  I need to order more screws to fasten down a larger part of the layout.  But before screwing everything down ….

After doing some searching, I might have a power issue - too much load per channel.   The outer loop has 5 turnouts on track power.  The 2nd and 3rd loops each have 4. The 3rd loop also has 2 lighted bumpers. It might be in order to run a bus around the layout to distribute the power better.   I’m going to post in the electrical forum with some questions.

Vin, I empathize with your power issues.  Been there done that with FasTrack.  My first two recommendations would be to wire the switches directly with Aux Power and Ground.  The Second, sounds like you're already thinking this, add track feeders (hot and common) every 6-10 track pieces.

If you post on the electrical forum, I would suggest including your latest SCARM plan.

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
×