If the mods consider this should be elsewhere, please do the biz.
As the title says, how to isolate power to sidings on a DCC layout.
OK, a little background first - I intend to have upto 10 sidings to stable about 10 dcc locos on the layout. Most of the sidings will be upto 2.2m in length although there will be a couple of smaller length ones scattered about. One will also have 6 Hornby Pullman coaches with lights. To start with, I'll just be using a Gaugemaster Prodigy Express which IIRC puts out about 2 amp. I intend to upgrade to a DCC Concepts Alpha supply combo when time and money allows which will give 5 amps. That should be ample.
However, Id like to individually 'switch off' the dcc supply to each siding so the non running locos and coaches on the layout are not drawing any current when stabled.
Im not certain how to wire this so all power to each track is isolated nor the type of toggle switches required ie spst, dpst, dpdt etc to achieve it. Clearly, plastic isolation fishplates are needed at each end of the track but, do I then isolate power to both rails or is it just necessary to isolate one? Im not certain with dcc whether just having one of the rails isolated means any locos and the Pullman coaches arent drawing current.
To make matters simple, can anyone provide an idiot's guide \ drawing for one length of track, showing the type of switch (spst etc) and how to wire it and the track so power is switchable from fully isolated to on?
Thanks
How to isolate power to sidings on DCC layout?
Re: How to isolate power to sidings on DCC layout?
Hi
You only need to isolate (Turn off DCC power) to one rail in the siding. regardless of the control system - DC or DCC. This can be done by using a point as the isolator and having no feeds anywhere in the siding served by that point. Or by gapping one rail or better is to remove a metal rail joiner and insert a Nylon Joiner (Insulated Rail Joiner - IRJ) in its place. Then feed the rail after the gap/IRJ via a simple On/Off switch. The feed to the switch taken either from the rail before the IRJ or the feed to that rail from the DCC system. The other side of the switch is wired to the rail of the siding after the IRJ. Note; you can have two or more gaps or IRJs in the same rail providing several isolated sections of track controlled each by their own On/Off switches if wished.
It should be noted that of course when using a point or switch to isolate a sidings rail, any loco in that siding cannot have its lights or sounds On or be moved when the point is against that siding or the switch is Off.
You only need to isolate (Turn off DCC power) to one rail in the siding. regardless of the control system - DC or DCC. This can be done by using a point as the isolator and having no feeds anywhere in the siding served by that point. Or by gapping one rail or better is to remove a metal rail joiner and insert a Nylon Joiner (Insulated Rail Joiner - IRJ) in its place. Then feed the rail after the gap/IRJ via a simple On/Off switch. The feed to the switch taken either from the rail before the IRJ or the feed to that rail from the DCC system. The other side of the switch is wired to the rail of the siding after the IRJ. Note; you can have two or more gaps or IRJs in the same rail providing several isolated sections of track controlled each by their own On/Off switches if wished.
It should be noted that of course when using a point or switch to isolate a sidings rail, any loco in that siding cannot have its lights or sounds On or be moved when the point is against that siding or the switch is Off.
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Broken? It was working correctly when I left it.
Broken? It was working correctly when I left it.
Re: How to isolate power to sidings on DCC layout?
Thanks for the response. I forgot to mention the sidings will be 'run into and out of,' ie not dead ends but, dont think that makes a material difference.Flashbang wrote:Hi
You only need to isolate (Turn off DCC power) to one rail in the siding. regardless of the control system - DC or DCC. This can be done by using a point as the isolator and having no feeds anywhere in the siding served by that point. Or by gapping one rail or better is to remove a metal rail joiner and insert a Nylon Joiner (Insulated Rail Joiner - IRJ) in its place. Then feed the rail after the gap/IRJ via a simple On/Off switch. The feed to the switch taken either from the rail before the IRJ or the feed to that rail from the DCC system. The other side of the switch is wired to the rail of the siding after the IRJ. Note; you can have two or more gaps or IRJs in the same rail providing several isolated sections of track controlled each by their own On/Off switches if wished.
It should be noted that of course when using a point or switch to isolate a sidings rail, any loco in that siding cannot have its lights or sounds On or be moved when the point is against that siding or the switch is Off.
I intend to use electro frog points with power routing and prefer the switch method rather than using points to do the isolation. Sounds like I just need to gap one rail between the points at either end of the siding and use simple on off toggle switches.
Thanks