As the title says, it's one of those days for me that are getting all too frequent. I could tell you a couple of the things that happened, but it is too embarrassing. Anyway, I do have a question. Just connected a DZ1008 relay to a DZ switch machine and push button controller on a Ross turnout that is working fine. With the power off, the relay's normally closed contacts are indeed closed, as verified with my meter. As soon as power is applied (12V) the relay's normally open contacts close. They stay that way is the problem. Pressing a button to place the turnout in the other direction does not cause the relay to do anything. As soon as the main power is shut off, the contacts open. All wires seem to be connected properly, but maybe I am missing something obvious. Or, the relay is just bad.
Okay, here's one of the dumb things. As I put down track, switches, etc. on my finally building it layout, I tested as I went with the trusty rebuilt Z transformer. Today I was using the new ZW-L for the first time to power the turnouts using the "B" throttle." Turned it on, and began moving the lever up to 12 volts while glancing at the LED's on all the turnouts as they began to glow. Reached over to press a button to move one of the turnouts and glanced back at the voltmeter on the transformer and noticed it had dropped to zero. DUH! I had taken my had off the control! But since it's "dumb" day I wasted the next 30 minutes trying to figure out where the short was that has caused my new, fast acting, beautiful ZW-L to shut things down to protect them. Good grief!
And as long as I am looking for help again, I will ask about something I mentioned once before. Does anyone know what I could do to my just out of the box Weaver PRR 0-8-0 switcher to help with the tracking of the tender. The tether is impossible to place in any configuration that does not push the tender off to the side so much that it causes derailments. Put in a different make/model tether perhaps??
Thanks.
