Quote from: kdgrant6 on February 03, 2016, 02:57:16 PM
I wanted to answer Jeffery and close out this thread.

First, nothing I can see on the crossover can be causing the short.  As I mentioned, I cut a wider gap at the junction of the frog and the rails on the right.  Under magnification, the gap is apparent.  I thoroughly vacuumed the joint to remove any metal particles.  The problem crossover looks identical to the other crossover and to the other frog on the same crossover.  

As for the decoder not being able to cause a short, Bachmann's service technician Rodney said that the decoder was the likely culprit because it did control the routing of power through the frogs.

An earlier request was that I put a voltmeter to the piece.  By the time I attempted to do so, the system would short out each time I powered up.  I did find that if I placed a screwdriver handle under one end of the crossover, I could keep the layout powered.  However, immediately upon lowering the piece, the layout would short.  To me, that indicates problems other than just a wrongly-powered frog.  

Regarding the operation of the crossover with a screwdriver handle under one end, even if I kept the power on and pushed a loco across the frog in question, the system would short, but it would not short if I ran the loco across the divergent route instead of the main one.

(By the way, Bachmann EZ crossovers have frogs that can be powered.  I reported incorrectly that they were plastic.  Turnouts have plastic frogs, but crossovers have metal frogs that have an unattached wire on either end of the piece that can be attached in sockets underneath the unit if desired to power locos with short wheel bases across the frog.)  

In conclusion, I am done with EZ crossovers and turnouts (except for one that I need to leave in place to keep from doing major layout changes.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will behave.) I have removed both crossovers and both a left and right hand snap turnout--all EZ Track.  I have ordered Peco large radius turnouts as replacements for the crossovers and a medium radius (36") turnout for the snap track.  I will adjust existing track to accommodate differences.

I would strongly urge anyone considering DCC turnouts and crossovers to reconsider.  The primary reason I do so is not prompted by a lack of quality from Bachmann, but from inherent difficulties encountered when attempting to operate turnouts and crossovers from a DCC controller, whether from Bachmann or from others.  You simply have to push too many buttons to switch the points, and very frequently, those buttons, even when pressed correctly, don't do what you want them to do.  I find it much easier to operate wired turnouts.  The exception may be DCC controllers with screen interfaces that will allow touch screen interaction to move points.

I hope this thread will be of help.

I think your wrong on your statements of crossovers...I use a different product for my Track on my layout & my layout is Full DCC with 2 Throttles...Witch is 17ft long x 6ft wide I have 16 crossovers on my layout & are all hooked up to an Air System... All's I do is throw an Air Switch & my Crossovers Throw nicely & snap firmly into place... All my crossovers have track power wire lead's on Both Sides of my Crossovers so no matter witch way I throw the switch I have constant power on my Layout with NO shorts or loss of Loco power... My Crossovers work fine as long as a few KEY Issues are maintained...#1 crossover contacts are clean & making solid contact with the Rail's...#2 Making sure you use the proper crossovers there's a few different kinds "Brands" on the market & serve different rolls for what you are trying to obtain on your layout...You might need a Power Booster on your Layout  as well... For example I started out with the Standard DCC Starter Pack witch is a 3 AMP system & was fine for me "For a wile" but when I expanded my Yard Area from 6 to 9 Tracks in Fall of 2015 & obtained a few more Locos "1 being a SW-1 Yard switcher" & my other Locos sitting on sidings IDLEING... The Org 3 AMP system would not work any longer So I had to upgrade my Layout to a 5 AMP system... So keep in mind providing Track Power & ample AMPS to your hole layout is also KEY to proper operating sessions on your layout.... You must still be doing something wrong with your crossovers I know it can be mind twisting at times but in this Hobby it's trial & error...

Quote from: jward on February 04, 2016, 10:01:01 AM
the man at the hobby shop doesn't know what he's talking about regarding the fans. fans are not how you can tell if an emd has a turbo or not.

on emd road locomotives like the gp and sd series, a unit with a turbo will have one rectangular exhaust stack. this may be countersunk into a bulge on top of the locomotive. on non turbo units there will be two stacks, one on either side of the dynamic brake fans in the middle of the hood. this remained pretty consistent over the years, up until emd discontinued non-turbo units in 1987.

I do agree that the turbo 645 units have a nice sound, as do the later turbo 710 units like the sd70ace.

for the record, spotting features of a gp38 are twin exhaust stacks, and two cooing fans at the rear of the hood. the gp40 has a single stack just behind the cab, and 3 cooling fans at the rear of the unit

Thank You for the information... I will certainly bring it to the Tech's knowledge & correct him of his error.. How ever he is a very talented installer of Sound Profiles into locos... He's got a nice Shop Area in back of Train Hobby Shop... Good @ what he does over 3 years going to this Hobby Shop I have never ever had a problem with his install's or Sound Profiles... He did tell me to spread the word if anyone is looking for Sound Profiles he would gladly do the install... He does air brushing weathering & engine super detailing too... & he's very honest with prices & understands everyone has budgets too.

Quote from: jward on February 03, 2016, 10:21:18 AM
the gp38 and gp38-2 use a 16 cylinder emd 645 engine, without turbo.
the gp40 and gp40-2 use a 16 cylinder emd 645, with turbo.

the difference in sound is that the non turbo engines sound a lot like a gp9 or f7, the turbo engines have that whistling growl most often associated with emd locomotives.

Thank You for the advise I have also inquired with my Train Shop & spoke with the installer that does the Sound Chips for all my locos... He did tell me he used a Sound Profile from EMD's 645 Prime Engine Mover some had turbo's & some did not have turbo's...I asked the Tech why mine has turbo he told me if I look @ the top part of the body of my Loco witch is a UP Loco & the way my Fans look on top of my loco would support that the Loco did have Turbo equipped... But did in fact say I have a Sound Profile Era Correct for the Loco with EMD 645 Prime Mover Sound...He also said I could get a GP-40-2 shell & swap it out if I really wanted to be fussy.... Thank you for that advise I am just going to say to my friends when I have an operating session Yes it's a GP-38-2 second gen loco but was retooled with a 645 EMD turbo.. that's why you hear the turbo whine... I FOR ONE PERSONALLY LIKE IT SOUNDING THAT WAY lol....But I do still strive to have the proper Prime Mover Sound Profiles in all my locos though...

I enjoyed the Video he seems to have a nice layout from what I seen in the back round... But I did not like how he uses TP to make his Mountains...
I used sculptamold & cardboard strips stapled together & Roll's of woodland scenic plaster cloth to make my mountain scene... & I do use Rock mold's he showed in the video...

Hello... Maybe some of the older guys in the hobby longer than I am Can HELP ME with my QUESTION @ the Bottom of my post... I just completed my HO Railroad Layout it's size is 17 Feet Long x 6 Feet Wide...
I have a 9 Track Yard area "ORG Plans called for only 6 track Yard but decided to up it to 9 based on my Stock of Rolling Stock & Locos... A 2 Track main line & 3 Track Interchange leading to mainline tracks & Yard I also have a passenger siding & Station... Total build time 4 years Started construction January 2013 & is now 95% complete with buildings / scenery / weathered track / ballasting... My Layout is Full DCC with 2 Throttle Stations all my Locos are DCC / Sound All I have left is minor touch up's to layout & install carpet in the Layout Room & Layout accent Lighting as well as build a external wall with insulation & Door to Complete MY TRAIN ROOM / Man Cave LOL.....

My Question is I have a Bachmann GP-38 2nd Generation I had it running the other night my friend was over we where having an operating session he stated GP-38's did not have Turbos my GP-38 is equipped with a Turbo My Friend said I have the wrong sound profile in my GP-38... I strive to model all my Locos with the proper sounds of that loco... Please advise me of this...

Quote from: Robjmarin on January 31, 2016, 11:31:47 AM
Hello
I just acquired a right and left hand Dcc # 6 crossovers . I would appreciate what the difference is since
Physically they look exactly alike. My instinct tells me it has to do with polarity. Iam new to model railroading so any information would helpful.
Thank you

Crossovers make your train either go on a Left or Right siding or Track...As long as your track crossovers are hooked up to Track Power correctly Polarity has nothing to do with it... " I have all my Crossovers wired on both side's with Track power " I know its a bit overkill & don't need to do that but I wanted my Layout to have Power Leads on both ends of my crossovers... More so because all my Loco's are DCC & I don't have to worry about a power loss or dead spot...

I am using NCE DCC system... I have my layout powered by 2 NCE Cab controller's & a NCE 5 AMP Smart Booster...

Or you could add another Command controler to another section of your layout.... I have 2 DCC cab controlers on my layout...

I don't beleve so... My layout is powered by DCC & all my Locos have DCC & Sound... There might be a way to convert sound to DC but i dont know of any way off hand...