Search the Community

I got a total of seven Kato 20-210 double crossover on my layout and I realized that I may be doing something wrong with those... Indeed, two of them have died unexpectedly. Considering m overall satisfaction with Kato Unitrack, I am assuming I am doing something wrong... What seems odd is the fact that these two crossovers died in a similar fashion: at some point, there seems to be a short circuit located in one of the four solenoids used for powering each turnouts. Because of these short circuits, other turnouts soon become unresponsive. How did I identify the issue and confirm the short circuit ? Once I realized my double crossover was not working properly (typically following an unexpected derailment !), I opened it and investigated each turnout separately. Removing the faulty solenoid allowed to restore proper operation of the crossover for the three other turnouts. How I typically use my crossovers... These double crossovers are used to connect two tracks that are each powered with a different control box. Before the second double crossover died, I had to use a hammer to nail something close (less than a meter) from it. However, though I realize the vibrations induced by the hammer may be detrimental, I don't see how they could lead to any short circuit in the solenoid... Have you experienced something similar ?

While I wait for my Unitrack to arrive, I've started planning the wiring. I'm hoping someone can help with the turnouts. Please forgive me, I'm new to the hobby and I'm still learning. I'm wiring it for DCC, and I'll be using Digitrax. I'll be using occupancy detection, also Digitrax. In my track plan, each coloured section is a detection block. The purple lines show where I intend to power the tracks with terminal unijoiners (power to each detection block not shown). I intend to control the layout with TrainController. My understanding is that I do not need to isolate my turnouts (Kato #4), as long as I set them to non-power routing, with the frog set to insulated. There seems to be some confusion online about power-routing vs. non-power routing labels but I'd be setting so them so that all rails are powered, regardless of switch position. I've isolated my turnout sections, only for the purpose of occupancy detection, with a block on either side of the turnout. I'm slightly unsure about where to connect the track power for the turnout. At each end of the turnout, I have a separate detection block, which I need to isolate from the turnout. Q. If all rails are live, and the frog insulated, could I connect the power at any end of the turnout? Then I come to the double crossover, which is what has me confused. I believe that I need to power each of the 4 ends of the crossover. However, I have blocks on either side of the crossover, so I would need to isolate the double crossover from the adjacent blocks, so where would I connect the power to the crossover? I suppose I could add a short Unitrack piece (S62) on either side, then I could connect the power at the joins between the crossover and the S62, then insulate at the join between the S62 and the next piece. Unfortunately, I'm already at the edge of the layout, so I can't afford to extend the track plan. Q. Have I understood this correctly? Do I have any other options? Is it best to keep the crossover and turnouts between blocks, or can they be in the blocks? Thanks for any advice!

what happend to Katos 20-230 crossover? i was looking forward to it when it was announced!