Digitrax AR1

[leftlane45]

I am having problem with my layout involveing the AR1 installed on a reverse loop. I have installed as per the instructions but when the Loco crosses into the loop it does not reverse but jumps back and derails.
Any input would be helpfull and appreciated. I have used the Digitrax help desk to no avail.

[soo]

Have you tried to adjust the sensitivity with the little potiemeter? Also could your track gaps not be big enough?

Adios,
Wyatt

[seusscaboose]

Replace the AR1 with a Tony's Train Exchange auto reverser

[John]

Replace the AR1 with a Tony's Train Exchange auto reverser

good advicd .. but maybe not not required .. you can make it work OK by making sure you have set the sensitivity up properly. Also, change the current trip on your booster

http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB781/ar1-auto-reverser-trip-current-adjustment/

http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB781/ar1-auto-reverser-trip-current-adjustment/

and

http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/product/AR1/

[carlso]

Our club layout has two Ar1's and they work flawlessly. It took a great deal of time, due to poor manuals and lack of help from mnfgr., to get them set right, however.

Carl

[John]

Our club layout has two Ar1's and they work flawlessly. It took a great deal of time, due to poor manuals and lack of help from mnfgr., to get them set right, however.

Carl

I  have 3 of them on my layout .. 2 work fine .. 1 I could never get quite right .. I suspect because it was near the end of the bus about 40' from the booster .. I replaced it with a solid state one . .

[eric220]

Replace the AR1 with a Tony's Train Exchange auto reverser

Excellent advice. I had an AR1 failure completely take down my layout. I'd recommend going with a solid state system.

[leftlane45]

Thank you all for the good advice, i will try all recommendations and let you know the outcome.
Thanks again

[mmyers]

Does this engine have a decoder in it? Jumping back is characteristic of a DC engine crossing the gap with an auto reverser. AR's (nobody's) will work with a non DCC engine.
Martin Myers

[peteski]

Does this engine have a decoder in it? Jumping back is characteristic of a DC engine crossing the gap with an auto reverser. AR's (nobody's) will work with a non DCC engine.
Martin Myers

You think he might be running a DC engine on DCC power using the zero-stretching address 00?  That is an interesting thought.

[fcwilt]

Does this engine have a decoder in it? Jumping back is characteristic of a DC engine crossing the gap with an auto reverser. AR's (nobody's) will work with a non DCC engine.
Martin Myers

That thought crossed my mind as well.

[mmyers]

You think he might be running a DC engine on DCC power using the zero-stretching address 00?  That is an interesting thought.

Yep,
Only an analog engine would "jump back" when polarity is changed. And only when zero stretching would an analog engine "think" polarity is changed. Without zero stretching it would not ever move to the gap.
 A decoder would continue in the direction it has been told to run no matter the phase. Worst case it just stops because power has been interrupted.
Auto reversers don't work with analog engines because reverse loops are handled differently with DCC than DC. DC reverse sections require matching polarity ahead of the engine. With DCC we swap phase right under the engine.

Martin Myers

[peteski]

He didn't mention whether the loco was DC or DCC. Everybody assumed that since it is a DCC layout, the loco was DCC. If that is the reason for this problem then no matter which brand reverser is used, the problem will persist. The only solution is to  . . . install a decoder in that loco.