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Problem with points going dcc

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1.7K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  jackbrad  
J
#1 ·
Hi all,
I have come across a problem with my layout.
It comes off my main line into a loading bay - engine shed type of area.
The problem is where 2 sets of points are joined with the bottom of the "Y's" are together. ie they form a squashed looking "X"
From one of the points there is another point forming 3 parallel rails.
It all works except when points is not in the rail favour the buffers don't light. -fair enough.
But when I put in the dcc springs the whole siding springs burn out.
They all work well until the last 2 springs are fitted.
They are hornby points - can a fault in the points cause this.? I have looked at the +ve/-ve rails (it is dcc) and they seem to be continuous.
It is a mystery!
Any suggestions will be tried.
Thanks
 
J
#2 ·
Hi,
I have just been in the garage and found the problem!
There is a fault in the offending set of points.
On close inspection, one of the rails going to the frog was 6mmm too long and causing it to short against the next rail into the frog.
I took away the plastic around the frog and there was the problem.
I have just replaced the point and all is working well.
Just need to put on a extra .05 on the guides to stop some of my locos derailing - What a pain! (about 20 sets of points)

But hey - What else would I be doing?????
 
R
#3 ·
If you are experiencing a short like this, and your DCC command station is not immediately tripping, then your wiring from the DCC bus (or the DCC wire itself) is too thin and could be potentially dangerous. This overheating is an indication of this - ie you had a short that was not detected.

I'd strongly recommend testing your wiring with the coin test: place a coin across the rails at various points on the layout and make sure the DCC command station immediately trips. If it doesn't, then the wiring is not fit and needs to be replaced with thicker wire.
 
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