DCC controller on the blink

[Newegineer]

Ok, I just built a simple 4x8 layout for my grandson using some old steel alloy curves, a remote turnout, and a steel alloy terminal re-railer mixed in with nickel alloy tracks, however, when I connect the power my Bachmann dcc controller blinks fast as if there were a derailment.  Sound like something is tripping the controller but I cannot locate the issue. could it be a turnout?  there is nothing metal (that i can see).  any advice would be appreciated!

[trainman203]

1.  See if it blinks with nothing on the track.  If it doesn't blink, the problem is either in the engine or one of the cars.  If that's the case, put one item on the track at a time until the light blinks and the offender is found.

2.  If it blinks with nothing on the track, try removing the track switch. It could be something wrong internally.  If the light is steady without the switch connected in the track, that's the problem.  If it still continues to blink,  proceed to step three.

3.  It's unlikely that the problem is in any of the track sections.  However, try removing the terminal track and just power it up by itself not connected to anything else and see if it blinks. If it does, that's the problem.  You would need to get a new terminal section.


I can't think of the word for this scientific process of elimination, but that's how you isolate problems, by testing one item by itself at a time until you find which one is the issue.

I am not familiar with the old steel alloy track, but it doesn't seem to be very well thought of by a number of posters in this forum.  Someone may be able to illuminate everyone further about if the steel track itself can present such a problem.

[Newegineer]

I think it was because I was connecting a right turnout to another right turnout, at the point where the frogs faced each other and that created a polarity issue??  I guess, still learning and I got a long way to go...

[trainman203]

Did the problem go away?

I don't think however you connect two track switches together should make any difference with polarity.  You need to test each switch individually to see if this some internal wiring issue with one of them.  Just keep going. Test every piece of track until you find it.

These are old Bachmann switches with steel rail, right?

[Len]

Sounds like a reverse loop issue.

Len

[trainman203]

Sounds like a reverse loop issue.

Len

Could be.  Can we see a track plan?

[Newegineer]

Thanks for the advice, however, I have moved on to a different plan and will seek help from experts such as yourselves as needed.

[trainman203]

Out of curiosity, did the problem with the controller go away when you changed the track plan?