[Accrs-ho] [accrs] For startup Wednesday 10/27

[ACCRS HO Scale]

Hey Tony,

When I replaced all the old switch machines with the Tortoises (almost 20 years ago), I also encountered that the cross-overs and turnouts were not uniformly wired. Some of this is because the switch tracks themselves are wired different. For example, some have powered frogs, some do not. In most cases, turnouts and cross-overs were added over time and were wired slightly different each time. I tried to standardize the wiring as best as I could when I installed the new Tortoises, but in some cases that just didn't work out. 

The basic concept is that the turnout main rails are always powered by the adjoining track. The Tortoise performs two functions: (1) it moves the point rails, and (2) changes the polarity of the frog. This is simple for a basic turnout, but can become complex on a cross-over (especially if a block separates the turnout). Somewhere I have diagrams of every turnout and crossover. And yes, this is all legacy DC wiring.

I guess the simple answer is there is no consistent wiring "standard" for the turnouts on our layout. More is the fun.

-Wayne
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Accrs-ho <accrs-ho-bounces at mail.accrs.org> On Behalf Of ACCRS HO Scale
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2021 1:43 PM
To: main at accrs.groups.io; ACCRS - HO <ACCRS-HO at mail.accrs.org>; accrs at groups.io
Subject: Re: [Accrs-ho] [accrs] For startup Wednesday 10/27

Message From: Tony Long  tony.long at outlook.com

I just tested basic continuity at Summit and Oil Dale portal - no issues found  there.  rail joiners  could still be an issue as the layout expands and contracts with temp changes.  One question I have is what is the standard way to wire/power rails in switches for cross-over and basic divert switch as they appear to be wired differently and how blocks are cut in the switch arrangements (which might from legacy DC)