Just getting back into N gauge and have a quick question...
Bought a new Bachmann Spectrum transformer and new Bachmann diesels. I used the Bachmann EZ Track and made a oval with a left and right hand switch that feeds into a smaller half oval resting within the larger "main line" oval. I noticed the transformer wouldn't send power to the diesel until around 30 or so on the index and the train wouldn't move until about 40 or so (under a load pulling about 10 cars). Is this normal? I expected at least something to creep along at 10 or 20 or so. The engine moves evenly throughout the track at slow or fast speeds without jerking or hesitation.
Secondly, I thought I could rest the other new Bachmann engine on the smaller oval when the main line is being used - with both switches set to the main line track only.
My question is...is it safe to "rest" the second engine on the track? Is power still getting to that smaller oval even though the engine on that track doesn't move? I noticed today that the main line engine wouldn't work, and the switches wouldn't work either, and what sounded like a temp limit switch clicking within the transformer. I unplugged the unit, (it wasn't too hot - only slightly warm and the engines were not hot at all) and waited a minute or two, plugged everything back in and it all worked fine. None of the trains are DCC. The switches are correctly installed on the AC posts of the transformer...anyone know why nothing worked for a while? I thought that as long as the switches are off the main line or only on the main line (depending on the train I'm running at the time) that no power is going to the other engine. Is this a correct assumption?
Please, someone with more knowledge than me give me an answer before I ruin a transformer and expensive engines. Thanks.
Bought a new Bachmann Spectrum transformer and new Bachmann diesels. I used the Bachmann EZ Track and made a oval with a left and right hand switch that feeds into a smaller half oval resting within the larger "main line" oval. I noticed the transformer wouldn't send power to the diesel until around 30 or so on the index and the train wouldn't move until about 40 or so (under a load pulling about 10 cars). Is this normal? I expected at least something to creep along at 10 or 20 or so. The engine moves evenly throughout the track at slow or fast speeds without jerking or hesitation.
Secondly, I thought I could rest the other new Bachmann engine on the smaller oval when the main line is being used - with both switches set to the main line track only.
My question is...is it safe to "rest" the second engine on the track? Is power still getting to that smaller oval even though the engine on that track doesn't move? I noticed today that the main line engine wouldn't work, and the switches wouldn't work either, and what sounded like a temp limit switch clicking within the transformer. I unplugged the unit, (it wasn't too hot - only slightly warm and the engines were not hot at all) and waited a minute or two, plugged everything back in and it all worked fine. None of the trains are DCC. The switches are correctly installed on the AC posts of the transformer...anyone know why nothing worked for a while? I thought that as long as the switches are off the main line or only on the main line (depending on the train I'm running at the time) that no power is going to the other engine. Is this a correct assumption?
Please, someone with more knowledge than me give me an answer before I ruin a transformer and expensive engines. Thanks.