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 I have 28 blocks That are insulated at the center rail.  Atlas O switches and Track powered by a Z-4000.  I followed the outer rail to make sure it is continuous without skipping over to the other outer rail through switches.  There is nothing but empty track.  No cars, nutin  My problem is when I lift one handle on a Z 4000 I get a voltage reading on both displays as well as reading voltage with the meter throughout all the loops.  Appreciate the experience of this forum.

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Is this one continuous loop of track?  

Are you using a 50-1014 - 12 position terminal block? Using a 50-1020 is different. Each bank is Hot and Common - one high and one low - although the input terminals would give the impression that they are separated like the 50-1014.

The key points of isolation are where the 11 - block power district begins and ends adjacent to the 12 - block power district. Remove the variable #2 hot wire from the Z -4000. Power the variable one and check for voltage on the track. It should only be in the 11-block power district. If it is on the variable #2 district, there is a wiring issue.

 

 

At this point I disconnected all feeders from the both of the  50-1014 terminal blocks.  Each terminal block is separately connected  to #1 & #2 transformer output    No load, the transformer handles worked fine independently increasing their respective voltage when the handle (s)  is (are) actuated.  .  I connected 2 track terminals that are next to each other  to 2 points on Terminal Block #1.   Everything appeared to be in order.  No feedback to the other voltage display.    Increase voltage on variable voltage #1 has no affect on the other handles voltage reading.  As soon as I connected another track terminal to Terminal Block #2 the voltages occur on the displays at the same time.  All other terminals are disconnected.  Is there something with the Atlas switches and how there rails are wired from the factory?

Gilly@N&W posted:

As I understand it, Atlas switches are internally jumpered. Having just gone through what your experiencing right now, I understand how frustrating this can be. Hang in there. You'll get it sorted-out.

I believe you are correct and aside from a wiring issue where the problem is. A diagram of the layout and insulating pins would help though I think Gilly has your answer.

Last edited by BobbyD
Gilly@N&W posted:

As I understand it, Atlas switches are internally jumpered. 

atlas

Having just gone through what your experiencing right now, I understand how frustrating this can be. Hang in there. You'll get it sorted-out.

Looking at my diagram above, is there an issue with the way I insulated the center rails?  Should I also insulate both commons rails inside and outside next to the insulated center rail?

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

Disregard the dead spot issue referenced on the drawing.  It is another issue I am having with a dead spot on a switch.  Stephen H. with Atlas is supposed to get back to me on this.

I think Gilly has solved your feedback problem. As for the dead spot, I'd guess the engines are losing common there.

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

"The center rail on the switched legs needs to be isolated."  Do you mean the space between Do it for each pair of switches?

 

Yes, the center rail where the switches attach to one another. And yes, both pairs of switches. The outer rails aren't going to care. They can be tied together.

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