Out Of Puff1707822593 Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 HiI've got a 2 loop DCC setup and have just connected a crossover. I've had more electrical problems since and locos stalling over the crossover. I'm wondering if it was a wise thing to do! Can I still use crossover track with DCC? Thanks ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 Yes.Are we talking back to back points from loop to loop or a diamond crossing which takes one line across another line.When using Hornby points with DCC it is necessary to install R8232 point clips -staple like things which ensure power is passed to all track beyond the point.By electrical problems do you mean shorts as there is documented history of faulty points recently causing shorts. Hornby will replace these if at fault. See other posts for more information about these points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 Test your new points purchase just to be sure that they are not from a faulty manufacturing batch. How to test them is documented in FAQ 4 located in the 'General Discussion FAQ Index' sticky thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out Of Puff1707822593 Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 Thanks for the quick replies. It's a diamond crossing, and I don't think I need point clips for them (?) The main problem is losing power going over, I presumed I just needed a bit of inertia ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 The Hornby Diamond crossing should work without any form of modification on both DC and DCC control. It does not need or use R8232 DCC point clips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out Of Puff1707822593 Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 Well that is useful to know. I think I'll clean up all the wheels and take it from there. Thanks ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Going Spare Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 As well as cleaning the loco wheels (in addition to the rail surface and all the other wheels, which will deposit dirt back on to the rail surface if left dirty) make sure the wheel pick-up wipers are clean and making good contact with the wheels at all times even when the wheels move sideways. ` Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howbi Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 If you are relying on a single power feed to the outer loop I would suggest a second power feed to the inner loop just to ensure a more reliable supply to all four sides of the crossover.(observing matched polarity).....HB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morairamike Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 On my original DCC layout I had a diamond crossover. Most locos would traverse it but not my Hornby tender drive 9F. Investigation showed that the pick up wheel centre on the tender were exactly spaced at the same distance apart as the two isolated frogs. The tender drive 9F has pickups on the left side of the loco and returns on the right side of the tender. There are no pickups on the right side of the loco and the left side of the tender has traction tyres.So what to do. I resolved this by soldering a wire to the right hand valve gear, which is joined to all 5 drive wheels via the con rods. This wire I ran directly to the tender and soldered it to the right side pickup directly. This cured the problem and the 9F traversed the diamond crossover. On my new layout I don't use diamond crossovers but now with the CD motor conversion it runs like a dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out Of Puff1707822593 Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 If you are relying on a single power feed to the outer loop I would suggest a second power feed to the inner loop just to ensure a more reliable supply to all four sides of the crossover.(observing matched polarity).....HBThanks - this may be a daft question, but what's the easiest way to do that? I have a hornby dcc track link wire connecting the loops but it's difficult to know how effective it is. Having said that my voltage tester never seems to show any problems. I have a Hornby Select controller with the power track on the outer ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out Of Puff1707822593 Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 Thanks for everyone's comments here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 If you are relying on a single power feed to the outer loop I would suggest a second power feed to the inner loop just to ensure a more reliable supply to all four sides of the crossover.(observing matched polarity).....HB... but what's the easiest way to do that? I have a hornby dcc track link wire connecting the loops but it's difficult to know how effective it is. Having said that my voltage tester never seems to show any problems. I have a Hornby Select controller with the power track on the outer ring. You have answered your own question. The Select feeds the outer loop and the link wire takes this onto the inner loop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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