I'm running into some trouble trying to get my yard ladder working. It's frustrating and confusing because I don't see nor understand what the problem could be.
I'll try and explain.
First off...I've been using this handy diagram as a reference.
Fast Tracks | How To Wire A Turnout
So logically. If I stick to this program so to speak I should not have any trouble with electrical shorts or dead spots? If I make the connections as shown and wire each turnout out to my bus wires I should have no problems. Right?
This is where it gets funny. I've managed to get two of the turnouts working...If I attach a third turnout and then try to test the DCC, it senses a short and doesn't "boot" up. Get this. Off the layout the third turnout works fine. No shorts, and if I clip it to my Power Cab it boots up no problem. However, place it back in the yard ladder I get the same issues.
I'm at my wits end. Here plain paint sketch of the track work I have installed thus far.
I don't know if that is muc help. The two green turnouts when left alone work.
Its when I get to the third turnout out or anything beyond that circled in red do I have problems...Off the layout, and hooked up to the DCC or tested with a Voltmeter, no issues. Even if I only hook it up to only the two green turnouts it also stops working.
I've tried two different turnouts and I'm about to lose it. It shouldn't be this hard. What am I doing wrong here? Is there a switch in the polarity that I'm not picking up on? I've built all my turnouts according to the instructions. I've checked and double checked all my wiring...yet...wall1
Yesterday I could even look at the mess I'd made of things thus far. A big part of me wants to rip it all up and start over. :curse:
The only other crack idea I can think of is to use insulated rail joiners and connect each turnout to the main bus without connecting them electrially top side...however I still don't see how that could fix anything at all either.
Here is a poor attempt at an electrical schematic. All of the frog points are electrically isolated. I didn't know how to depict them so I just used a black dot. I'm using Caboose Industries ground thows with contacts. The black wire powers the frog when the switch is thrown. I don't know what else to do...perhaps, some one can look at this and say, "you idiot! you've got it all wrong!" and show me how it should be done.
Thanks... :sad:
I'll try and explain.
First off...I've been using this handy diagram as a reference.
Fast Tracks | How To Wire A Turnout
So logically. If I stick to this program so to speak I should not have any trouble with electrical shorts or dead spots? If I make the connections as shown and wire each turnout out to my bus wires I should have no problems. Right?
This is where it gets funny. I've managed to get two of the turnouts working...If I attach a third turnout and then try to test the DCC, it senses a short and doesn't "boot" up. Get this. Off the layout the third turnout works fine. No shorts, and if I clip it to my Power Cab it boots up no problem. However, place it back in the yard ladder I get the same issues.
I'm at my wits end. Here plain paint sketch of the track work I have installed thus far.
I don't know if that is muc help. The two green turnouts when left alone work.
Its when I get to the third turnout out or anything beyond that circled in red do I have problems...Off the layout, and hooked up to the DCC or tested with a Voltmeter, no issues. Even if I only hook it up to only the two green turnouts it also stops working.
I've tried two different turnouts and I'm about to lose it. It shouldn't be this hard. What am I doing wrong here? Is there a switch in the polarity that I'm not picking up on? I've built all my turnouts according to the instructions. I've checked and double checked all my wiring...yet...wall1
Yesterday I could even look at the mess I'd made of things thus far. A big part of me wants to rip it all up and start over. :curse:
The only other crack idea I can think of is to use insulated rail joiners and connect each turnout to the main bus without connecting them electrially top side...however I still don't see how that could fix anything at all either.
Here is a poor attempt at an electrical schematic. All of the frog points are electrically isolated. I didn't know how to depict them so I just used a black dot. I'm using Caboose Industries ground thows with contacts. The black wire powers the frog when the switch is thrown. I don't know what else to do...perhaps, some one can look at this and say, "you idiot! you've got it all wrong!" and show me how it should be done.
Thanks... :sad: