Polarity Problems

[Fred2179G]

As soon as the Double Slip was installed there is a short.

My understanding is that a simple diamond keeps the 2 tracks separate - i.e. there is no electrical connection between the 2 tracks. The OP's drawing shows the double slip as having electrical connections between both tracks. His drawing also shows he has opposite polarity on the 2 tracks approaching the diamond/slip. In which case yes, installing the double slip will cause a short.

(Deleted - understanding dawns.)



I don't think we disagree - we're just all confused.

 

[adamski]

Evening

Firstly, wanted to apologise as my email hasn't notified me that there were additional replies to my post until this evening. Unfortunately, having 2 young disabled children, one of whom is tube fed, and both of whom are massively struggling with adjusting to lockdown, I don't have the luxury of being able to log in on that regular a basis to check.

Secondly, want to thank all of you have taken the time to reply - it is appreciated.

In response to some of the questions, I run Massoth DCC.

I think you have it correct that the polarity alters because of the figure of 8 set up and I can't alter it on the inner loop because the outer and inner loop are connected at a separate spot where the polarities are correct, so by swapping and correcting one polarity issue, I'll be creating another elsewhere.

Gizzy, thank you for suggesting a Massoth reverse loop either side of the crossover, I think that will be my next plan of action. I'll feedback once I have it set up but please bare in mind my circumstances and also the fact that parts are taking some time to arrive.

Once again, thank you all for your input

Adam

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Looking again at your track plan, you have an inside figure 8 loop and an outside loop. These are linked by cross overs at the top of your diagram.

The fig 8 reverses the polarity, so you need to fit a Massoth Reverser in both sides of your inner loop to use your DS, from either side of the afore mentioned crossovers, to just before the DS....

Gizzy, you don't think the "problem area" with just one autoreverser will work?

Greg

 

[Fred2179G]

Adam, I don't understand why you have the 2 R3 points making a crossover when you have a double slip that provides exactly the same capability?

Anyway, I was still puzzled so I had to get the electrical thing sorted in my head. Apologies to all for my denseness. I uploaded Adam's drawing and added the polarity marks (+) so I could see what is going on. It still isn't a reversing loop, but with the inner loop crossed over outside the outer loop and running in the opposite direction, you get the problem at that junction. The diamond was insulated between the 2 crossing tracks, but the double slip isn't, nor are the R3 points.



Now that I understand, I've been trying to figure out what Adam could do differently, but no luck so far, though I have a glimmer of an idea.

 

[phils2um]

I think Gizzy is right about this needing two reverse loop units. The issue as I see it is having the reversing segment long enough to hold the longest train (assuming metal wheelsets). I don't think the trackwork in the immediate vicinity of the double slip switch can accommodate this requirement. The pic below is my suggestion.

Edit added: after rereading Gizzy's posts I think this is what he suggested too.

 

[Gizzy]

Gizzy, you don't think the "problem area" with just one autoreverser will work?

Greg

You could use one auto Reverser, but you would have to arrange the 2 sections it controlled to be longer than the longest train....

 

[Fred2179G]

I figured there had to be a solution. Recognising that the inner loop is heading along with the outer loop at the RHS, a crossover through the houses will have the desired effect.
Remove the double slip and use the R3 points like this: