The O-bug finally bit me this year and I'm on my way to building my first "serious" (-ly fun?) layout. Have enjoyed reading the OGR and hope to be a contributing member going forward. With that in mind, 2 questions I haven't seen asked (or, to me, clearly answered) in the archives:
1) MTH 30-20534-1 - Lo-V Subway w/LEDs - Lots of sparking with this unit on switches and crossovers due to how low it rides on Fastrack (compared to everything else I have - engines, passenger cars, rolling stock - there's no contest). I resolved some of the aberrant current using well-placed electrical tape but there's a center "block" between the front/rear wheels that rides so low, it brushes the copper inserts found on all Fastrack crossovers/switches; the track load spikes by as much as 2 amps. Is this normal for this unit? Because, to my eye, it looks unavoidable (i.e. not a defect in execution; design's another question). A picture here for reference:
2) Power bussing only the "hot" lead wire - I want to bus only the hot wire around the track and keep a single contact for the return ground (reason: simpler). Is there any issue with this approach?
Thanks in advance and apologies for any lack in clarity of misuse of terminology.
Bonus Question: What video file formats does OGR prefer? Doesn't seem to like .mov files.
I will eventually upload a video of my outdoor, all-weather, running-rain-or-shine-or-freezing-cold Holiday Trainbox (and yes, that's real snow on its top!):
I live on a very safe but very urban and well-trafficked street in NYC and this fella goes on display in the front "yard" every year (on year #5) and sits about 2 feet from the sidewalk. It's now a fixture in the nabe's (young and old alike) annual holiday rituals.
- The Other Guy
