Senior Moment

[Yelrow]

hi, having a senior moment , DC only. Have just completed drop in bridge, and am sorting wiring. When helix joins my layout the rails reverse, eg, outside becomes inside. So i have made a feed from both which necessitates outer to inner. Works fine from a temp controller fitted to helix. Train runs round the room and descends onto the layout.   now my 2 questions. When i remove the temp controller and use layout one, will all still be fine.  Having achieved that, there are 2 tracks on the helix. One rail from layout to a point on helix, presently joined by insulated controllers to allow my 2 (up to now) temp controllers to operate both trains. Presumably, if i want to  run them both from my seated controller bank, i am going to have to run a new feed from new controller to the inside helix track just past the insulated joiners, some 15 foot.. I am also going to have to remotely, control that point, from 15 feet away. Will this ensure full operation. The tracks stay apart from that point around the room. Have i over complicated this, is there an other solution.  thanks. john

[96RAF]

@John

This is where a picture is worth a thousnad words, but at the risk of offending you (definitely not intended at all), posting a sketch of the associated trackage may be be outwith your PC skill set.

Handrawn would do, scanned in and posted.

I hope to be corrected on your skill-set and will be directed to the naughy step with no wine for a week if necessary.

Rob

[Fishmanoz]

I'm still struggling with how the outside rail becomes the inside.  Only ways I can figure is if you end up with a reversing loop or there is a 180 degree corkscrew in the track?

 

The latter would add some interest - come hurtling down on the underside of the helix, do a quick spin and enter the layout upright.  Probably a bit harder the other way given the no holes in the ping pong table rule you have John.

[Yelrow]

Fishy, hi, no, i am not going mad. Have just  pushed wagon taped on the outside from layout to helix, which confirms change of rail. Outer loop of layout has a RH point, crossing the drop in section, which connects to lower loop of helix, by another RH point. When wagon arrives at lowest level of helix, tape is then, on the other side. If i ever master loading  drawings, it will clarify. What i now need is a DC remote control point. Any offers. john

[96RAF]

@John

The best I can offer for remote control DC point operation is either manual switching by a variety of methods (switch, pen and stud, etc) or wire in tube, depending upon distance point is across the board.

 

See Flashbang's website for more details.

 

Wire in tube can be by way of bicycle brake or gear cables, or car windscreen washer tubing and stripped house wiring, or whatever you have in your Pandora's Box of a barn, etc.

[Yelrow]

Raf, thanks, its at least 10 feet from my console. i was hoping that perhaps, in the states, they had come up with a remote control DC point operation, bit like opening your car. Could not find a lot. I have plenty of bits , but would be a big undertaking to get a bowden cable that long. Could put it in tubing, but.......... john

[SRmike]

I think you may have the classic two rail problem. This where there is a reverse loop where your track/points allow your train to come back on the sam track as it started on without changing the direction on the controller. If this route is selected you get a short on the controller. If this is the case then the only way to solve it is to put an isolated section in the middle of the loop,both tracks, where the train runs in, stops, a change over  of direction on the controller and the feed is set to the out track.

 

[Yelrow]

SR Mike , hi, they both run ok, as  , similar to your suggestion i put insulated joiners on inner track, from the curved section of point. I can run one train, totally round layout, across drop in up helix and around the room, and return. the inner track on helix, is on a second controller, which picks up the train, when driven across the insulated point. That then climbs the helix, and runs round the room. So, both trains run. My problem, is how to change that point from 10 feet away. john

[2e0dtoeric]

Use a point motor! There are several versions on the market. You just need to run three wires to the motor from a switch on your control panel, and two wires + and - from a capacitor discharge unit, which can be parked anywhere!

 

[Yelrow]

2eO, hi thanks. know nothing about cdu,s, will look them up. john

[Tony57]

Hi

What points are you using, are they R612 R613 or are they the modern numbered ones. If the early ones all you need is a R633 point motor with black switch, power is taken from comtroller via the switch and  will change the point with no need for a CDU, the later models you need either a surface mounted point motor or one under surface motored version.