Ok first I am an electrical dunce. I had an N gauge layout as a kid but my Dad wired it up and he is now past the point he can make any sense on much, especially something like this.
So my layout is esentially two parallel loops, two controllers. I have bought four points to allow transit between the two and also for the outer loop to act as a passing loop for a train parked on the inner.
I can see how I could wire a switch to allow each controller to power one loop and switch to control the other as well, excluding the other. But what would happen if through inevitable error a loco crosses from one controller to the other whilst they are both powered, in worst case with current flowing in opposite directions. Would something go pop? Some of my locos have decoders.
I have googled this and have not found much specific to this issue and what I have has befuddled me.
PS I know DCC would magic this away but my capital in the railway is going into track for the forseeable, so I need to solve this DC for now...
Ian
So my layout is esentially two parallel loops, two controllers. I have bought four points to allow transit between the two and also for the outer loop to act as a passing loop for a train parked on the inner.
I can see how I could wire a switch to allow each controller to power one loop and switch to control the other as well, excluding the other. But what would happen if through inevitable error a loco crosses from one controller to the other whilst they are both powered, in worst case with current flowing in opposite directions. Would something go pop? Some of my locos have decoders.
I have googled this and have not found much specific to this issue and what I have has befuddled me.
PS I know DCC would magic this away but my capital in the railway is going into track for the forseeable, so I need to solve this DC for now...
Ian