I have three Bachman E-Z Track DCC crossovers on my HO scale layout, two right and one left that connect three concentric loops. The problem I am having is somewhere there must be reverse polarity or current because the at somepoint on one of the crossover frogs (and it varies) a locomotive shorts out. Right now I am running DC mode locomotives but will be wiring them to run on the Bachmann DCC Command Control in the next week. But I am assuming that should not make any difference; the locomotive would short out regardless of whether or not it is DC or DCC because something is reversing the current. I don't have a diagram, but the two right crossovers allow the train to go from the outermost track to the middle track and then the middle track to the innermost track. The left crossover is to allow the train to exit the innermost loop to the middle loop without having to reverse direction. Obviously I am not a wiring expert and I don't know if I need to insulate a rail somewhere or if I need to consider the reverse loop module that Bachmann makes though there is no true reverse loop. And the short locations varies depending as to the position of each crossover. But I am assuming that somehow the left crossover is causing something to go against the two right crossovers. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Unfortunately the packaging doesn't make this clear, but the #6 Crossovers are designed strictly for use on a DCC layouts. They require modifications underneath for use on DC layouts, even without a reversing loop or wye.
Once you are operating strictly in DCC mode, the problem will go away, as the DCC power on the track is essentially a square wave and doesn't have polarity in the way power from a DC power pack does.
Len