The Houston S Gauger's modules were first displayed in 1989 at the
national NMRA. We followed the standards of the time which consisted of
8 parallel wires connected to each other. We lived with that
arrangement until we gradually switched to our present Digitrax DCC
system. With the prior DC current we often had a short that was fixed
by simply disconnecting one of the modules--we never figured out why,
but it generally worked.
We pretty much stayed with that system until just a few years ago.
First we no-longer connected four wires that were designed for a
'control' wire that we never used. Why connect wires you don't use or
need.
At about the same time when setting up we found it was best to hook up
the rails first and then the wires. If there is a short in a turnout or
wherever it will be evident and can be delt with without duplicating the
issue with wires. After we're running, we hook up the pig-tails to
assure we've got electrical contact everywhere. Other than some issues
(which we hopefully solved recently) in our freight yard, we haven't had
an problems in years, but in the past we never quite knew. Our whole
system is based on basically two blocks--one for each main.
Bob Werre
PhotoTraxx
Hi Lee.
Like you, the S Scale Workshop has some upgrades to make before
Scranton. Andy Malette, John Johnston, Pete Moffett and I will be
getting together on Monday to wire a second set of buss cables to our
modules. These will be the primary power cables and will be
connected to our track buss cables via circuit breakers for each
module. The old track buss cables will remain unconnected at each
module interface. Thus if we have any electrical problems they should
be confined to just one module and not the whole setup. Springfield
was a rewarding show to attend but one of our most frustrating because
of our electrical problems. Most of them were our own fault, but like
you guys we agree that trailering modules in minus-20 degree weather
is not the best way to treat your stuff. We will have kinder weather
in August and hopefully more reliable operation.
Looking forward to seeing you guys again.
Cheers
Jim Martin
On June 18, 2013 at 10:13 PM [email protected] wrote:
Having committed to layout open houses both after Scranton and for
the NMRA during model railroad month in November, it was time to get
cracking on having the layouts ready. So . . .
On the S/Sn3 PRR/EBT permanent layout, I'm working on electrical
controls and turnout controls -- pragmatic things like finishing the
DCC control bus so I can debug track close-up, installing shut-off
toggles to isolate sections of the layout for faster troubleshooting
of shorts (something that events of the weekend underscored as a
necessity. I've installed a hinged lift-up section in place of the
duckunder in recognition of my increasingly bum knee.
The Sn2 modules are up in an arrangement that hopefully will
facilitate some scenery and track repairs necessitated by a
hard-knocks trip from Pennsylvania to the Springfield, MA show in the
very cold January weather. For example, some of my pine trees look
like they had an encounter with Hurricane Sandy!
Nothing like having scheduled visitors to get things rolling.
Lee Rainey
