Reversing Loop Wiring...

[Tenwheeler01]

The issue with having the double crossover district being the auto-reversing section is this will cause shorts when two train enter the district at the same time.   

Lun's use of the PSX-AR that can run two auto-reversing districts is a good ideal.  Another option is the Digitrax PM74 this will do 4 power sub-district.  Each of the 4 sub-district and be set to auto-reverse or short circuit management. it also has occupancy detection. But not sure if it will work with a Lenz system.  It is meant to be used with a Locnet system.  The PSXX-AR should work with your system.

which auto-reverser model do you have?  The Lk200 has main power n terminal and reversing track out terminal. 






   

[russ daley]

I can understand what Tenwheeler is saying two trains entering the AR Section will cause a short. That has been a consideration from the start. My proposed AR Section District would expand into almost 40% of my layout length and I normally run 3-4 trains at a time....bound to happen. I need to think this thru more before moving forward. I need to read up on the latest Technolgy that's available, possibly calling the manufacturers.

The one question I had from the beginning is do all 4 lead entrances (TL, TR, BL, BR) to the crossover need to be wired to an Auto Reverser? Maybe missing something but I was thinking yes which would require 4 Auto Reverser Units? (Top left, Top Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Right)   

Also...my trains are about 5 feet long. Most of the trains have a 16 volt Incandescent bulb in them. Incandescent bulbs are not polarity sensitive. I can't prove or haven't tested but I don't see why changing the polarity of an incandescent bulb will cause a short in the reversing loop. If the reversing loop doesn't care about the incandescent bulb then the distance between the crossover and the cut could be signifyingly reduced...Your thoughts?     

Just read something in Tony's Trains about metal wheels causing issues if not within reversing loop?

[Tenwheeler01]

All the docs I have read suggest not wiring the crossover to an AR.

You just need 2 ARs one for each loop.

TL, TR are connect to your Lenzs DCC systems TR and TL output and BL and BR are connect to the track loop.  Your crossover track section would connect to the TL and TR from the Lenz DCC system. (I would use a terminal block to make connections easy).

The bulbs in your locos should be running of the decoder and not direct track power.  Now passenger car lighting can cause shorts on a DCC layout.  I have had it happen a few times. 

[russ daley]

I don't want to beat a dead dog to death but this project is on hold..may be forever... Tenwheeler informed us that only one train should be in any one reversing loop at any given time...As said earlier, I run 3 to 4 trains and that's reason enough to further evaluate or discontinue the project. With 3 other reversing loops recently proven, I really don't need another one...My goal from the beginning was to get the crossover to properly function...For the time being, it's there for show.

There alot of good information within this thread so all our work will be beneficial to someone considering using a double crossover. When I first laid out my track plan some 20 years ago I really had no knowledge of how some of these things work...especially the double crossover.

If I had it to do all over again I would use 4 individual turnouts and two AR's and plan my track plan accordingly... makes life alot simpler.

I agree that decoders should be used in caboose lighting but I maintain a good 15.4 Track voltage while running 3-4 trains and allowing resting cabooses to remain lighted. All my bulbs are insulated from plastics because the bulbs can get a little on the warm side...but never caused me issues... 

Another thanks to all contributors...

[Tenwheeler01]

Just to clarify.  You can have more then one train in a power district that is auto-reversed (reversing loop).  But you have to careful not to have a locomotive entering the district (reversing loop) and the same time one exiting the other end.  The auto-reverser will detect two shorts. 

I like to put whistle posts or some other signs to make where the power districts are isolated from each other.  It's annoy when it happens.

May layout is a double mainline up and over figure eight, with a section off track that connects from one mainline to the other between the loops of the figure eight to create a reversing loop.  This section is 5 and half feet long with both rails isolated from both mains and is controlled by an auto-reverser.  I will use it part locos sometimes just have to be careful not to have a loco entering or exiting one end with another entering or exiting the other end. "BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!"

[russ daley]

I figured that out referencing when the short would occur...I normally have several cocktails when running a good session so I need to be alert with no possible interruptions...great discussion we had...