DCC Reverse Loop

[electricity_bill]

Hello
Is there any limit on the number of separate isolated track sections that you can connect to a DCC Reverse Loop Module? I want to connect three!!
Bill

 

[phils2um]

As nobody else has stepped up to the plate I'll take a stab at this and am more than willing to be corrected! I think the answer is one isolated track section. But you can use the module for one or two loops. One isolated loop when the module reverses the polarity of the loop. Or, two loops if the module reverses the polarity of an isolated intermediate line connecting loops.

Phil S.

 

[Gizzy]

I have connected 2 reversal chords to a single module, but I only allowed one train in either one, at any one time.

I have now obtained another module, as my new railway will have double track reversing loops, which could have a train running on each one....

 

[dunnyrail]

I have connected 2 reversal chords to a single module, but I only allowed one train in either one, at any one time.

I have now obtained another module, as my new railway will have double track reversing loops, which could have a train running on each one....

I think that Gizzy has nailed the issue on the head, ensuring that only one train is on any of the separate used of the Module at one time. It may be OK for you to remember this Bill, but will any visitors or young operators?

 

[ColinK]

Agree, when I had a garden railway my boss at the time (big railway enthusiast) came round with several twin motored locos and blew the reverse loop module.

 

[idlemarvel]

You could pretend to have a Massoth one and ask their hotline for an official answer!
FWIW I think the answer is you can have as many as you like provided only one is used (has a loco entering/leaving) at once.

 

[Zerogee]

You could pretend to have a Massoth one and ask their hotline for an official answer!
FWIW I think the answer is you can have as many as you like provided only one is used (has a loco entering/leaving) at once.

Yes, that's how I've always understood it too.

Jon.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Actually, I would stress that it's not just the locos, but lighted cars, and in many situations, even metal wheels bridging the "sensor gaps" (however you do it).

Basically makes sure there is only one TRAIN in ANY of the reversing sections at one time.

Greg

 

[Hutch]

Actually, I would stress that it's not just the locos, but lighted cars, and in many situations, even metal wheels bridging the "sensor gaps" (however you do it).

Basically makes sure there is only one TRAIN in ANY of the reversing sections at one time.

Greg

Yep, some of my older lighted cars draw as much current as an 0-4-0.
---Hutch

 

[electricity_bill]

Gents
Thanks for your replies. I sort of thought that you could have as many sections as you wish provided only one was in use at once. The device is in effect a polarity reversing switch and provided you only ask it to do one job at a time, it should work. It makes sense for me to connect three sections to one device and I do not have any track powered lights in my cars.

I attach below my track diagram with the reverse loops shown dotted. I have found out by practical experience that because of the the number of running combinations near the pond, I need three sections

I suppose that there is only one way to ind out if it works

 

[dunnyrail]

I think the ones Top Left by the Blue Blob will be the potential problem if you accidentally cross over both sections at once.

 

[Gizzy]

I think the ones Top Left by the Blue Blob will be the potential problem if you accidentally cross over both sections at once.

I agree with JD. But I also think you don't need to reverse loop the left leg of the triangle, as per the thicker black line inthe diagram below.

I reckon if you can move the point for angled (right) leg of the triangle, to the other side of the point next to it as per the red line, you would solve the problem that JD mentioned, but still retain the operation you want....

 

[electricity_bill]

Thanks for that but I do need the third reverse section as I have reverse polarity across it as measured at the tracks and removing it creates a short circuit.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Most reversing loop controllers sense when a short occurs and reverse the section based on that.

It normally takes very little current to do this, and it can be as little as a metal wheel bridging an insulated gap at the sensing location.

I'm trying to point out that it is not just locos and lighted cars. I hope that is clear now.

If your reverser can be triggered as described above (and all that I have will do this) then if you have a train in the reversing loop AND cars bridging ANOTHER gap somewhere else, your reverser can go nuts reversing and reversing...

So, again best practice is design the system so you CANNOT have a TRAIN (any cars) in more than one reversing "block" at the same time.

Nothing is worse than running a layout with strange electrical goings on...

Greg

 

[electricity_bill]

Greg
This is without the reverse loop controller connected and no trains on the track !!

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Maybe I am confused...

The question is in post #1...

Distinction between lighted cars and any part of train reinforced in post #8

I am responding to post #9 trying valiantly to make sure the point that that the wheels of a train (lighted car or not) can trigger an autoreverser gets across.

I'm sure Hutch and others understand, just trying to help you avoid issues.


Greg