Multiple points

[vbthedog]

Can having multiple sets of points on a layout interfere with smooth running? ie does there need to be an even number or is there a particular way of having points in the layouts so power is not interrupted (as it seems to be in my layout)

TIA

 

David

[Chrissaf]

Hornby points are made as 'isolating points' this means that they act as electrical switches to route the track power from the controller into the direction / route that the points are switched to. Thus, this also means that the route that the point is not switched to may loose power if there is no alternative power path.

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For maximum unbroken power distribution, power from the controller should always be fed into the 'Toe' [common] end of ALL of the points. Subject to the actual layout design in question, to achieve this might require multiple connections in parallel from the controller to the layout.

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Note also, that the condition of the points becomes critical to ensure reliable power distribution. The power transfer through a point is reliant upon the mechanical / physical contact areas between the fixed and moving rails. When these become, loose, tarnished or just dirty the transference of power can be compromised.

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This can be particularly noticeable on older points made of steel rails [rather than modern Nickle Silver] and can be a reason why these points come up for sale on the second-hand market. In my view [not everyone agrees with me on this view] buying old second-hand steel railed points is a false economy for the reasons I have just described.

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Some information on powering a DC Analogue layout is included in Chapter 5 of my downloadable 'Getting Started' PDF document. See the 'sticky post' [2nd thread down] at the top of the 'General Discussion' forum.

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You could also post an image of your layout annotated with where the power from the controller is connected and highlighting what sections of the layout loses power. Then an assessment of your layout plan could be undertaken and recommendations made on how to improve power distribution for reliability.

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It is important that you read TIP 8 in my posted TIPs page below regarding 'How to Post an Image' as it is not straight forward. Images do not appear straight away when posted.

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TIP: As a newbie poster on the forum, just be aware that the 'Blue Button with the White Arrow' is not a 'Reply to this post' button. If you want to reply to any of the posts, scroll down and write your reply in the reply text box at the bottom of the page and click the Green 'Reply' button.

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See also – further TIPs on how to get the best user experience from this forum.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/tips-on-using-the-forum/

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[vbthedog]

Thank you. Something to work from :)

[vbthedog]

This is starting to stop being fun unless I am missing something REALLY fundamental. No matter what I have tried, without manual intervention, every layout I have built with point (turn outs?) the train stops at some point.

In desparation I followed the track mat that came with my base set (Night Mail) as shown in the photo, and once the train has switched to the inside loop, when it gets past the points closest to the front (on the inside loop) it stops. I have to manually flick the points to make it run again. (In the photo is where it stops)

If the points stay so the train will stay on the outside loop, no issue. Its only when they are switched to make it move to the inside the issues starts.

Surely this cannot be right. The train should just continue to trundle around the inside loop should it not until another set of points is changed?

Can SOMEONE please put me out of my misery :)

TIA

D/media/tinymce_upload/a9fde8e11c8dc831724e22eb6cdbadd7.jpgavid

[Chrissaf]

vbthedog (or should I say AusCam),

Look to your other thread you have started under a different 'user name' where you posted the same image as above.

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https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/this-is-stopping-being-fun-this-has-me-beat/?p=1/#post-337143

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I did not see this image post of yours until after I replied to your other one, and given that the other one had a different account 'user name' I did not tie the two questions together as being a continuation of the same issue.

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Please do not create multiple accounts to get over the newbie 2 post limit. The limit only lasts 24/48 hours and then you can post freely without restriction.

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Tell me which of the two accounts you want to continue with and I will remove the other. If you don't tell me which one to remove I will make an executive decision and remove the 'vbthedog' one in a few days time.