News:

Please read the Forum Code of Conduct   >>Click Here <<

Main Menu
Menu

Show posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Show posts Menu

Messages - stopthinktwice

#1
General Discussion / Re: Bachmann DCC Crossovers...
November 01, 2016, 12:30:53 PM
Only reason I went with these is my space limitation - I needed a crossover with built in decoder and switch that I could control remotely (no wires to switch/motor).  So I guess I would stay with them unless a better product is available.  I will try to post a video once the project is done.   
#2
General Discussion / Bachmann DCC Crossovers...
October 31, 2016, 12:58:03 PM
I have double mainline loop, with 4 Bachmann DCC crossovers.  Each of the mainlines is divided into detection blocks.  I am using a Digitrax system, with BDL168's to accomplish the block detection tied to remote RD2's (to eliminate long runs of heavy wiring) - each mainline is divided into its own independent detection zones.

If I place a Bachmmann DCC crossover within a detection zone for each of the 2 mainlines, the zones show occupied for both mainlines - I am assuming the 2 solenoids/switch motors and/or decoder are causing a slight voltage drain.  One might think to gap/cut/insulate each of the tracks entering the crossover, but if I did this, the crossover decoder, switch motors/solenoids would have no power to operate (as they pickup power from the rails), and I would have to create a gap in my detection zone for each mainline by wiring the crossover to the track power buses without the use of a detector/RD2 (or I would get false detection again).

To solve this, I separated the decoder/switch/solenoid power pick up points from the crossover rails and powered them independently on a separate accessory power bus (not tied to either of the 2 main line buses).  This eliminated the voltage drain/false detection issue, and it kept any loco/rolling stock shorts that occur in the crossover confined to the applicable track power bus without any impact on my accessory power bus.  But I now had the issue that when a loco was in the crossover, it would show detection on both main lines.  To solve this, I had to cut the metal contact tabs that connected Rail A on one main line of the crossover to Rail A of the other main line of the crossover (2 metal contact tabs had to be cut).

Just wondering if Bachmann DCC crossovers are know to cause the voltage drain/false detection issues, and also, whether there is any other way to isolate track detection between the two rail lines running through a DCC crossover.  Before I modify my other crossovers, I would like to get Bachmann's feedback, thanks.