dcc pointwork stalls

QUOTE (Watty @ 9 Apr 2008, 09:35) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hey guys, Ive got Peco Insulfrogs unmodified on a loyout running on Dynamis and the stalls are occuring on the divergent road on some of thepoints. Im assuming that this is due to wheels shorting across the opposing tracks causing my sensitive Dynamis to halt everything. All is fine if the straight road is taken in all cases. Any quick and easy fixes available? Ive tried swopping out points to no avail.

dave
Hi Dave
Assuming your getting short circuits and system is shutting down due to the short, then its one or more of your locos or rolling stocks metal wheels that's causing the problem. As it's touching both rails immediately before or immediately after the insulated frog.
You can do a "Quick fix" and fit two insulated rail joiners onto the ends of the two rails that lead away from the frog (Fit them on the ends of the points two Vee rails). This should remove the problem. You may need to install two more track feeds after the IRJs if you rely on the points switching the track power in both directions.
However you should invest in a Back to Back gauge and check and where possible adjust all rolling stocks wheels to the gauge. Check all locos driving wheels, pony truck, bogie and wheels too, plus all carriage and truck wheels need to be set to the correct gauge as well - You'll be amazed by how many are incorrect.

My web site shows the problem of Insulated frog points causing short circuits . Electrical Page Then scroll down about 1/4 of the page to the "Insulated Frog point problems and cures" section.

Good luck

Thanks brian, it is every loco so Im assuming that they are shorting on contact across the Vee. ill try out the insulating trick with IRJs. I use those Hornby "staples" to take the power across all roads on the point currently so I think that the wheels are shorting as they make the turn since the area of contact of the wheelset ends up touching the other (opposite polarity0 track during the turn. The straight road is fine and it's not all my points that behave in this way- the longer radius ones are worst which I found surprising.

Many thanks for the advice. Ill experiment tonight whilst listening to the Man U match on the radio.

dave

quote name='Brian' date='9 Apr 2008, 09:33' post='50951']
Hi Dave
Assuming your getting short circuits and system is shutting down due to the short, then its one or more of your locos or rolling stocks metal wheels that's causing the problem. As it's touching both rails immediately before or immediately after the insulated frog.
You can do a "Quick fix" and fit two insulated rail joiners onto the ends of the two rails that lead away from the frog (Fit them on the ends of the points two Vee rails). This should remove the problem. You may need to install two more track feeds after the IRJs if you rely on the points switching the track power in both directions.
However you should invest in a Back to Back gauge and check and where possible adjust all rolling stocks wheels to the gauge. Check all locos driving wheels, pony truck, bogie and wheels too, plus all carriage and truck wheels need to be set to the correct gauge as well - You'll be amazed by how many are incorrect.

My web site shows the problem of Insulated frog points causing short circuits . Electrical Page Then scroll down about 1/4 of the page to the "Insulated Frog point problems and cures" section.

Good luck
[/quote]

Thanks Brian, Ill try it out tonight and see how I get on. Strange how most other points work nicely but I guess the geometry of the turnout can affect how much of the loco wheel is able to cause a short. The good news is that ive only got one to fix and another potential one off-scene that will be simple to fix if required.

dave

QUOTE (Brian @ 9 Apr 2008, 11:09) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Dave
As youre using Hornby point clips try this first..... Remove the clips from the problem point and run a loco/train (One that has caused problems before) over both directions of the point. If it runs ok both ways then the shorting problem is as I suspected. Replace clips (If you really need them - Persoanlly I wouldnt bother as I prefer to hard wire my track feeds!) and fit the two IRJs as previously mentioned. Then you will have to install two new track feeds onto the two rails that have lead away from the Vee, but fit these new feeds after the IRJs
My web sites DCC page shows how to wire them. DCC on Insulated frogs