general wiring question

MustangA

Posts: 107
Joined: 2004-10-25

I am having trouble with the wiring for my 4X6 track.

I have reproduced track plan #25 from 101 Trackplans. (I tried to access my graphic --availlable under MustangA--a little help with my plan--but I could not)

I have isolated the sections that they indicate--but I am having some power issues. The train doesn't seem to draw enough power to run. If I touch it lightly it seems to catch and start to move, but he motion is not steady.

I am using a TECH 4 260.

I am using common rail wiring, and I have added extra feeder wires to the curved sections.

Questions

Do I need to add extra ground wires if I added extra feeder wires (that is I have two power wires going to one section, but only one ground)

I will tray cleaning the track, and I will by some kind of volt meter to check the power. Any other suggestions? Anything I should consider? Any way I can make this post more lucid.

I would appreciate any help you can give me.

Anthony

Submitted by MustangA on Wed, 01/02/2008 - 16:50.

MustangA

Posts: 107
Joined: 2004-10-25

I am also using Atlas

I am also using Atlas electrical switches (perhaps not the best, but they don't seem to be having a problem. They turn on and off, and the power is getting to the track.

Wed, 01/02/2008 - 16:53

absnut

Posts: 660
Joined: 2004-01-12

I don't think there's a

I don't think there's a rule that says two feeders, two grounds but, I have found through experience, it is wise to have several feeds from the common connection. I've used Atlas electric compnents for years without problems but, I have noticed that if I have a particularly long stretch of track and only one ground to it, the power drops off. So, I now have a common feeder about every four to six feet on my mainline. I also run a common to every yard track and spur in addition to the power feed. This seems to have helped a great deal in maintaining a near constant power level around the layout. All this, of course, in addition to the "power" feeds to my "blocks". I hope this makes sense!

Dick,

Usually, when all is said and done, there's a lot more said than done!

Wed, 01/02/2008 - 17:51

FergusonTE

Posts: 605
Joined: 2005-10-27

I had a loco that drove me

I had a loco that drove me loco because if I pressed on top of it, it would run until I took my finger off. I took it apart and dismantled the trucks and cleaned the wheels, wheel wipers, etc, etc. and then it ran nicely. The wipers were grimy and just blackened from a mixture of grease and dust. I even removed some small bits of ballast from a couple of the gears, which helped a bit of a hitch that it had... So, sometimes it's not the track. :)

-mike

http://maritime.dns.ca/mgerrits/trains

Wed, 01/02/2008 - 17:59

MustangA

Posts: 107
Joined: 2004-10-25

I guess I thought it was

I guess I thought it was the track because the loco has rarely been out of the case--mere minutes at a time while I have spent a long time getting the railroad together.

I will try adding common grounds to see if this helps, but I will also clean up the wheels to see if this helps.

Thanks for the comments

Anthony

Wed, 01/02/2008 - 18:26

dckuk

Posts: 223
Joined: 2003-11-17

It doesn't take long...

I sometimes only get to the layout about once a week, and the track needs a good cleaning. It depends on the humidity, dust in the air, and other other 'dirty' factors (tumble dryer in the layout room does not help!). Even if I run the trains every day the dirt builds up some times.

It never ends!

Dennis

England

Post No Bills

Thu, 01/03/2008 - 09:52

MustangA

Posts: 107
Joined: 2004-10-25

I cleaned the track using a

I cleaned the track using a liquid my LHS recommended. The results were startling. The track is much improved.

However, it is still not perfect. In several sections the trains doesn't seem to move fluidly (the throttle fluctuates, or the power, or the pickup)

The more I run the train the better it seems.

I also cleaned the train wheels.

Thanks for you help

Anthony

Sun, 01/06/2008 - 15:49

Jimmi

Posts: 870
Joined: 2006-12-18

Anthony, it's also possible

Anthony, it's also possible that your engine hasn't been run enough to break it in. Sometimes they will run a bit erratically until the gears wear a bit.

The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you've got it made. Jean Giraudoux

Jim

Sun, 01/06/2008 - 22:17

MustangA

Posts: 107
Joined: 2004-10-25

Thanks, I'll keep that in

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind--and keep running that train.

Mon, 01/07/2008 - 03:31

general wiring question

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