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.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
You did divide each blocks center rail correct?
Correct. I did
Unless you have 28 transformers you won't see isolation. You have created blocks for DCS signal. You have not created power districts.
Can you describe where the feeds from each block connect back to the transformer?
Are you using both channels on the Z4000? If so, you're back-feeding. Disconnect one feeder at a time until your described voltage drops to zero. I'm betting it's a wiring issue. I just sorted out the same thing on my layout.
11 blocks go into an MTH terminal block feeding into variable #1 on the Z 4000. 12 blocks go into another MTH terminal block number to going into variable #2 on The Z-4000. Lift either handle and get the result I described when I started this thread.
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.
You must have a crossover not isolated,
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.
Attachments
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.
Gilly@N&W posted:
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?
I think I see the problem. On the left side you are showing two pairs of switches forming your double cross-overs. The center rail on the switched legs needs to be isolated.
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.
Thanks for the observation. I will do that when I get home tonight. I did not think the center rail would not be a problem. I was expecting the outer rails to be the culprit. I will report what I find. Thanks again.
"The center rail on the switched legs needs to be isolated." Do you mean the space between each switch where they join together. Do it for each pair of switches?
I think he is talking about where you cross between the inner and outer loops. Not sure what blocks are fed from where wiring wise, if that block only has one connection it would be OK. If you are connecting inner and outer tracks to different terminal strips that's your spot.
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.