Point-to-point reversing track set won't work! HELP!

[MattC]

Well, so much for a relaxing night working on my layout... I set up the reversing track set, placed my new Brill trolley on it and...nothing. I am baffled especially since I ran it for some guests a few weeks back. Has anyone experienced this? I must have read and re-read the simple instructions 50 times... really bummed and would welcome any advice.

Are these products problematic? Should I return it?

Thanks,
—Matt

[jettrainfan]

I had problems with mine, so now I got a trolley that I practically bought for $100. I gave it a try and managed to get it to go to the shed.... but never got it to come back. Gave it 5 minutes. this was over 3 years ago. Maybe someone here can help. I never got much help and I remember another person reported this problem.

[MattC]

Thanks for your response. Well, at least I know I'm not alone! So the new trolley you bought has had no issues? Maybe I went too "cheap"?

—M

[jettrainfan]

The trolley works fine.I call it $100 cause the only reason I bought it instead of the trolley alone was the reversing mechanism, but like with you, it didn't work. so for an extra $70... it didn't do me much good.

[MattC]

Oh I see! I guess I could return the auto reversing, and just run the trolley on regular track. Kind of liked the reversing idea though. Nice talking with you.

—M

[jward]

is all your track the auto reversing type? you can't mix it with regular track without disabling the auto reversing feature. if you have regular track pieces mixed in, try removing them and see if that helps.

[MattC]

Hi Jeff, thanks for your response. Unfortunately no...I am only using the auto reverse track. It's really kind of maddening.

[railtwister]

Hi MattC,

You may have a bad connection in one of the track joints for the third wire embedded in the bottom of the special auto-reverse track sections. Check all connections, or better yet, run a jumper wire from the first section at one end to the last section at the other end, and see if the problem changes. You also could remove a section, shortening the run, then test. If no change, remove the second section and replace the one you just removed. If the problem is caused by a defect in just one section testing them one at a time may indicate where the problem is. Of course, if you have more than one bad section, this may not work, which is why I suggested the jumper wire. Otherwise, if nothing else works, contact Bachmann's service dept.

Bill in FtL

[LDBennett]

MattC:

While I can't offer you help on your current parts I can tell you of my success with the Circuitron auto reversing module.

It uses tiny photo detector in the ties (you drill a tiny hole and insert the photodetectors at the ends of the run. You can use them for intermediate stops too if you add the photodetector board. The photo detector board allows up to four intermediate stops and the auto reversing board adds the end points. The auto reversing board allows for a settable delay period (the same for all stops).

The only problem I have is illumination of the layout. My illumination changes throughout the day as it is only window light. That means I am having to change the photo detector sensitivity pots every few hours as the illumination changes. I am in the process of adding a permanent overhead series of lights that will fix that problem. You situation may differ if the only illumination is room lights.

Here are the parts and the web page:

AR-2 Auto reversing module
DT-4 Four photo detector interface module
http://www.circuitron.com  Download the catalog...It explains it all

I recommend the Circuitron modules.

As an aside I am in the process of replacing the auto reverse module with a microcontroller system with custom programming. It will use the DT-4 and the photodetectors as inputs. It will randomly vary the stop times, miss the intermediate stops randomly, and ring a bell (stationary sound module digital sound) before the trolley starts up again. I am in the design process and it is only for me but doable by any electronically enable person.

LDBennett