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 Posted - April 06 2014 : 6:34:58 PM
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Still working on my new layout, and I am having a power/electric problem that just started last night. There is a good chunk of track on my layout that is not getting any power whatsoever! Prior to this problem, the wiring was as it is now, and it was operating just fine. But now, as seen here, only certain parts of the layout are getting power...
I set it up as two blocks using a TYCO Blocking Controller, and I followed the instructions and it worked properly at first, but now it isn't. Block "A" is red, and Block "B" is blue. (Though the red sections prior to the first insulated Block "A" joiner also receive power when Block "B" is on. I represent the insulated joiners with little blue circles.)
And idea? Should I re-wire the entire layout? (I do eventually plan to upgrade to DCC, as I said)
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Posted - April 06 2014 : 11:20:14 PM
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I don't see a blue block, and which block in your pic isn't getting power?
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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Posted - April 06 2014 : 11:45:24 PM
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quote:I don't see a blue block, and which block in your pic isn't getting power?
Originally posted by gmoney - April 06 2014 : 11:20:14 PM
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ACK, I meant to write "YELLOW" block instead of blue. But it's mostly the areas that are not covered by the blocking controller that aren't getting power. (any track that's plain white on the diagram)
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Posted - April 06 2014 : 11:47:52 PM
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| You've probably already figured it out Wiley, but my 2 cents would be that "I know one thing I've done is realized I had the switch the wrong way or some loose rail joiner or just something stupid", you know?
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Posted - April 20 2014 : 11:26:12 AM
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Did you use those plastic throw switches? one could have gone bad. Basically you need to trace out your power connections. One easy way would be to build a 12v lightbulb tester, if you don't have one already. Called a Bug Light by us Electronic techs, it's useful for a quick and simple power check. Clip one end to DC ground connection, and then go to each power connection and look for the bulb to light on and off when switch is thrown. I can't imagine you have THAT many switches, so it shouldn't take long to narrow down the trouble. Wouldn't say you need to rewire the whole layout, just do the testing step by step and eliminate each switch or wired connection as "the problem" until you find it. Looks like you have 3 blocks, so 6 possible connections via switch and wire connectivity. SHouldn't take long if you're methodical and careful.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - April 20 2014 : 6:32:29 PM
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| Oh, I solved the problem almost a couple days after I made the original post. It was the TYCO blocking controller, and it's likely it could have gone bad or something. Now it's currently wired for single-train operation with no insulating joiners or blocks, since I'm going to upgrade to DCC anyways.
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