SubwayHypes Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 So if you guys have seen my layout, you can see how its one main line, consisting of kato double track, which is surrounded by a single track line that is also kato uni track. Here are a few pictures to illustrate. What i want to do is have the outer single track line, using two ® kato turnouts, connect to the main line. As you can see in the diagram above, there are two turnouts which allow trains on the outer track to either stay on course or merge into the main line, likewise, i can take a train running on the main line and move it into the outer track. Now, i am basically just running one power line per powerpack. Do i need to put more feeder power into the track before and after the turnout? The thin red lines represent the kato power cords, while the blue lines represent turnout power. (sorry, i know the colors are vice versa in real life) I havent actually set up the turnouts yet, but they are in the mail and i want to know if i might run into problems. Also, regarding the feeders, i have a kato 3 way feeder that i attached to the power pack. When i run only one power line, the train runs fine, however when i run two power lines, both into a different feeder track piece on each level of the layout, the power shuts off. I dont understand whats going on, its like they are canceling each other out. What am i doing wrong? Link to comment
Bernard Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Subway - You are going to have to insulate the line that you are switching from. Kato does make them: http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product_p/kat-24816.htm You can probably get them at your LHS but be sure to ask for Kato Unitrack insulated joiners. The insulating joiner is just a plastic joiner that prevents the flow of electricity to another area. You have 3 main lines running independently from one another, when you added the switch that enabled the power of one track to cross over into another track. If you put the insulated joiner between the 2 switches it will stop the flow of electricity and this should solve your problem. BUT make sure that when you are switching from one track to another, the power packs are set on the same direction. Good luck, you'll enjoy the new switching on your layout. Link to comment
SubwayHypes Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 Yea i love the switch i got one working, however it kinda seems like i dont even need a third powerpack because the outer line suddenly becomes powered by the second power pack whenever i switch it. so i guess its time to get one of those insulated joiners to solve this exact problem? Link to comment
CaptOblivious Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Yea i love the switch i got one working, however it kinda seems like i dont even need a third powerpack because the outer line suddenly becomes powered by the second power pack whenever i switch it. so i guess its time to get one of those insulated joiners to solve this exact problem? Yep; Kato and Tomix turnouts are "power-routing"—if power is applied to the narrow end (turnout terminology, anyone?) the turnout routes this power to which ever branch is selected. So if you have two joined as a single crossover without insulators between them, then while the turnouts are set to cross over, then they will route the power onto the other track. If you have two throttles, one on each main line, and are set to opposite polarities when you throw the cross over, you will short them out and fry them :( Link to comment
SubwayHypes Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 ^^ OUCH!! see thats what i want to know! Definately dont want to fry my turnouts! Until i get these insulators i am only gonna run one power pack. My other question is, why are my trains not running whenever i run 2 feeders into the same track. im using this thing. the 3 way plugs in directly to the powerpack, and my two feeder cables plug into the feeder, but nothing happens! I hear power come on in the engine car, however no directional movement at all. As soon as i disconnect the 3 way and just hook the track up to a single line, it works fine. I still want to find some way to get more voltage into my tracks, sometimes my trains hesitate and run slower than normal because the power voltage is not high enough. Link to comment
Mudkip Orange Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 The way the Kato power-routing turnouts work is that the OUTSIDE rails are ALWAYS energized, but the inside rails aren't. That's why you need insulated rail joiners. Otherwise, if you are running two tracks in opposite directions, you can get a short. katoyo.bmp Link to comment
SubwayHypes Posted May 1, 2009 Author Share Posted May 1, 2009 ^^ Wow nice diagram, definately helped explain it a little better. Link to comment
SubwayHypes Posted May 18, 2009 Author Share Posted May 18, 2009 hey guys i couldnt find the "insulated" unijoiners kato 816 but i found kato 815 which just says "unijoiners" the both look exactly the same, are they? Link to comment
scott Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Nope - regular unijoiners are the same as the ones that come with the track; not insulating. Link to comment
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