Kelly, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "in phase" but I think I might help.
When wiring multiple tracks as in your situation, you do want to be sure they are all wired with the correct "polarity." A simple way to check this is to use an automotive tester. This is a tool that looks a little like a screwdriver with a wire coming out the handle end. The tip is a point instead of a screwdriver blade, the wire usually has an alligator clip on the back end, and there is a bulb in the handle. You want the kind without a battery. That kind is a "continuity tester" and doesn't work for this application. You can find this tool at any automotive parts store, as well as the department stores having an automotive section. The above tester uses a 12 vold automotive bulb for testing 12v automotive circuits. As long as your power supply delivers less than 15v it should work fine. If you are using a DCC system, which is usually 18v, you may need to change the bulb to a higher voltage. To use the tester, apply power to the track(s) you want to test. Clip the alligator clip to one rail (for example the turntable lead track) and use the probe on other rails to test correctness. 1. Test the opposite rail of the same track. The bulb should light up. If it doesn't, either there is no power to the track, or the bulb is bad. 2. Test the SAME rail on the track section you want to check (for example on the turntable). The bulb should NOT light up if the track is wired correctly. 3. Test the opposite rail on that same section of track. This time the bulb should light up. 4. If you are testing multiple track sections (for example your roundhouse tracks) go through the same test when each section of track is powered. 5. When you have completed the above, attach the alligator clip to the OPPOSITE rail and repeat the tests. This will assure that the other side of the track is wired correctly. NOTE: It should not be difficult to obtain correct wiring without resorting to the above methodology. Simply make sure all the "North" rails are wired to the same power feed, and make sure all the "South" rails are wired to the other power feed. By "power feed" I do not mean directly to the throttle. The power feed I am referring to is the power to the tracks after your block control switches (if you are not using DCC), or your isolation switches (if you ARE using DCC). This of course assumes that you have been able to wire up to that point by correctly isolating "North" and "South" polarities.... Ask more questions if you don't understand this, or need further explanation. Darrell Smith --- In [email protected], "wb4hay" <nnn0...@...> wrote: > > Guys, > > Can someone be real patient and explain in detail the procedure for > checking to make sure for instance that two tracks are in phase. I have > a turntable and roundhouse to wire in addition to an inner loop, so I > sure wanted to get it right. > > 'Preciate it, > > Kelly > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[email protected] mailto:[email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
