Digitrax AR-1 Issues

[mightypurdue22]

I'm having fits with a reverse section on my N Scale Unitrack layout.  I'm using a Digitrax AR-1 to reverse polarity, but it's simply not working.  I've recently reworked some trackage which includes this reverse section and the same AR-1.  Diagram below shows the red and black wire locations.  Problem I'm having is a single loco will enter the section okay, but will short upon leaving at the other gap.  I have switched the red/black feeder wires for this section to the other rail, and the same thing will happen on the other end of the section.  I've tried all I can for the last 2 days to figure it out.  I've unhooked the turnouts on both ends.  No matter what, I still get the same short.  This same AR-1 worked very well about a week ago on the previous track layout.  Any ideas?

[davefoxx]

I'm not sure what you mean by you disconnected the turnouts?  Does this mean you completely isolated the through track with the reversing section from the rest of the layout?

I just installed my first Kato Unitrack turnouts on my daughter's layout.  Have you adjusted the settings on the turnouts, so they are not power routing.  I had some weird things happen until I figured out how to move the screws on the underside of the turnouts to turn off the power routing option.  In my case, I also set up the turnouts to be spring switches, so I had to make the frogs dead.

Otherwise, I have no idea, based on the information that you provided, other than the AR-1 may be bad, there may not a complete gap somewhere, or a feeder wire may be connected to the wrong rail.

Oh, and expect some grief for using an AR-1 in the responses here.  There's not a lot of fans.  I have a Digitrax AR-1 on my layout, and I already see the disadvantages of the AR-1 versus the solid state of other digital reversers.  I will likely replace mine someday, because it doesn't play well with my layout's circuit breaker (which is temporarily disconnected  ).

Hope this helps,
DFF

[mightypurdue22]

On the disconnect, I meant to say I physically unhooked the track leading into the reversing section.  I was simply trying to eliminate any potential problems with other track work.  I have power on both ends of the track, outside the gaps.  I then have separate power inside the gaps that go to the AR-1, which then ties to the bus lines.  I've checked my feeds to the point I've lost track of # of times.

As it turns out, the LHS has one in stock.  I'll likely get a new one and see if that fixes my problem.  If it doesn't, I'll abandon the reverse section altogether.  That would be a shame because it is such a valuable section of track for a layout without a turntable.  By the way, I'm running the Zephyr DCS50.  From what I've read, a number of auto-reversing units don't play nice with it.  Thus the reason I've gone with the AR-1.  See where that's gotten me.

Dave

[RBrodzinsky]

The problem could be the Zephyr, simply tripping before the AR1. A PSX-AR can have its trip current set lower than a DCS50, alleviating the issue.

I would also be very careful with this design, as you can easily bridge the two ends of the reversing section

[davefoxx]

The problem could be the Zephyr, simply tripping before the AR1. A PSX-AR can have its trip current set lower than a DCS50, alleviating the issue.

I believe I am having a similar issue, as my AR-1 must not be tripping as fast as the NCE circuit breaker I installed into the layout.  I could probably get down under the layout and mess with adjusting the AR-1's trip current, but I really would rather have a PSX-AR.

I would also be very careful with this design, as you can easily bridge the two ends of the reversing section

Good advice.  I'm thinking about adding an extension to my interchange, which will allow longer trains through my reversing section.  If and when I do that, I'll need to enlarge my reversion section, because bridging the reversing section at both ends can cause some big problems.

DFF