I'm evaluating the feasibility of an EZ street vehicle back and forth automation on Ross track. It should work fine expect there is a Gargraves 108 uncoupler/unloader track in the middle of the run. I'm testing to determine if the vehicle will transverse the 108. It failed the test. First, the vehicle repeatedly hangs up in either direction on the 108. Secondly, internal vehicle wiring fried during one hang up.
The hang ups are a clearance issue. Transmissions,, etc are molded into the underside of the vehicle which significantly reduce clearance. These molded items are trapped in the 108 magnet groove. The 108 has a plastic insulating ramp to ease the rollers over the magnet which is exposed in the center of the ramp. Eliminating the molded items should solve the hang up problem.
The fried wires are not so obvious. The only wires fried are from both the front and rear pickup rollers which are interconnected. Both the rollers were hot. It's maybe 26 gauge wire, insulation melted, conductors just about melted, 10 fuse not blown. No evidence of internal shorts. No power phasing issues. Here's my assessment: The chassis grounded molded items contact the insulated 108 magnet at the same time one roller touches the magnet while the other roller is contacting the center rail. Current flows from the center rail roller through the internal wiring to the roller touching the now grounded magnet ? Anyone else have this problem or other ideas on the fried wiring ?
