All of a sudden starting yesterday when I turn on my DCS to run trains and hit the "track starting voltage" on my remote, it blows a fuse instantly in my Variable #2 circuit which happens to be my inner main line and yard. I have checked the track as best I can with a bright flashlight, checked that all cars are on the track, etc. I have a multi-meter but don't know how to use it to look for a short somewhere.
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Were you under the layout lately? Have you moved anything? Have you bumped anything?
I would get everything off the circuit Perhaps even hooking up the or an alternate transformer to the aiu variable. You can add things one at a time. If it shorts with nothing on the circuit it is wire feeling and tracing time. Look or feel for abrasions etc.
Last thing to check. A small screw or wire across track will do it. Steel wool can also do it.
Here is a link....
First move is disconnect wires from track and try power up to insure DCS TIU is not bad.
If no go, take all equipment off the track and retry again. If all OK then add a car at a time. Maybe a car that has a power pickup roller whose wire may have worn through and shorting out.
If no go, then separate track sections or loops and try each loop and section independently (cut in half troubleshooting). A quick way is use a small transformer set full on and momentarily touch its output leads to center and outside rails to a loop or section to see if sparks fly when connected (no sparks is good section). If find bad section then cut it in half and repeat until you get to a track section. Might be a bad insulation or a center pin insulator defect.
Good luck.
I agree with the first two paragraphs of rrman. Also with his 3rd paraprahIf your lasyout is separated into blocks controlled by toggle switches, turn them all off and see what happens. If you use star wiring through a terminal block, with all eqpt stll off the track, disconnect each pair of wires from the block none at a time. Using you test eteres resistance setting, look for a pair that gives you 0 ohms resistance, or at least something less than 1 or 2. This is to try to isolate the area.
Williams lighted passenger cars were always a fertile field for shorts on my layout, as wire from the rollers would fray through.
Thanks guys. That is a good list. I had company arrive right after I posted so couldn't get back on until now. The visitors are still here so it will be a while before I can start to work on this problem.
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Dennis
Dennis,
Did you locate the problem(s)?
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