HELP!!! ...After ballasting, my Atlas Signals are discombobulated

Boo ManOGR Forum Member

I had my Atlas 21st Century Signal system all wired and tested. It was working fine in an integrated fashion. I have 10 blocks with a total of 20 signals going in both directions.

I just put down Brennan's Better Ballast and used a mixture of equal parts of brown latex paint, water, and white glue to secure the ballast around the track. I finished the ballasting of about 50 feet of track last night.

I just went down and vaccuumed the track and cleaned all the train rails where I ballasted. I then ran my new Atlas F7's. I ballasted parts of 4 of my blocks. The signals now show trains in those blocks when there are no trains/cars in them. The signals in both direction are all confused.

HELP!!! What did I do wrong??? Was I supposed to do something and didn't? Has anyone experienced this issue?

2/5/175:15 PM

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Hot WaterOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Just my opinion but, maybe the combination of latex paint & water has provide enough of a conductive path to "activate" your signal detection system. Personally, I prefer a method of first moistening the loose ballast with cheap, 70% alcohol and then glueing with slightly diluted (to the consistency of whole milk) Matte Medium. Our whole layout is done that way.

2/5/175:27 PM

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Boo ManOGR Forum Member

I forgot to say I did apply equal parts of 70% alcohol/water to break the surface tension before applying the glue/paint/water mixture.

Your conclusion is exactly what I am thinking and I am thinking what a nightmare of removing all that ballast!!!

2/5/175:31 PM

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Jim PolicastroOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Bob,

Give it a few days to dry totally and you should be fine. It takes more than overnight for this to happen and the small amount of moisture still present is probably what is causing the problems.

Jim

2/5/175:35 PM

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Boo ManOGR Forum Member

Jim,

I'm praying you are right. Thanks for the hope.