I hooked these up to some new Atlas O track and wired the hot throught the contol box switch, but they keep causing shorts everytime a car with pick-up rollers crosses them. Any ideas?
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The control rail is even or slightly higher than the center power rail. A wide roller will contact both at the same time, causing a short. Williams engines are noted for doing this on Atlas track. The fix is to install a double pole relay. This keeps both control rails isolated until the relay is activated. Works like a charm.
Chris
LVHR
When you say a double pole switch, do you mean a Light switch, or does atlas sell something that works the same? Maybe I'll try super gluing the rails in first, they are kind of wobbly. Thanks for the advice.
I'd like to look at the double-pole relay option as I'm on the verge of redesigning our layout to have activator tracks and rails only on stub sidings as too many passenger cars, lighted cabooses and even locos manage to short when running over them on the mainline.
