Realtrax losing power. Need some suggestions

If you are able to identify the areas that appear to have a decrease in power check for breaks or cracks of the copper type hooked tabs at the ends of the track connection or separations between the tabs and rail above.  Sometimes the hooked tabs will ride up and over each other leading to poor connectivity especially when the track flexes with the weight of an engine passing over the area.  You can hone in on the trouble spot(s) w/ a multi-meter and if needed, you may wish to add some feeder power lines to that area.

Greg-

 

The most likely cause is the built-in resistance of the rails and track joints, which increases the further you get from the transformer. To overcome this add feeder wires anywhere there is a voltage drop, which will ensure even power distribution across the entire layout. I would recommend a minimum 14 AWG wire for the feeders; a thicker wire (smaller AWG) might be needed if you have particularly long runs from the transformer. Since you are using Realtrax, you have the flexibility soldering feeder wires to the brass electrical contacts on the underside of the tracks, or adding lockons.

 

Hope this helps!

 

-John

Does he need to run feeders to the middle rail only or should he do the outside rails also.

I do both the middle power rail and the outside common ground rails, a poor ground is just as bad as a bad power joint. Do both when you're laying track and hopefully save one problem in the future by not having power problems.

I just rebuilt my Realtrax layout, and after again reworking a section, the loco stopped dead as soon as it entered that loop through a switch.  I again disassembled the loop, and, as Keystone suggests, several of the small copper "hook" connections were now bent beyond repair, and would not have mated at all with the next track section -- hence, no power and a dead loco.   I repaired the several hooked tabs that were repairable, and just put two track sections in our home recycle bin.  The loop works fine now.

 

I'll be more careful with my inspections of the hooked copper tabs when removing and re-installing my Realtrax in the future.

I really like Realtrax for what it is.  However while saying that it is not bullet proof.

 

I always tune up the contacts with a needle nose, solder a bonding jumper to connect outside rails.  Feed power before and after each switch on all three ends.  Feeders spaced on about 8' intervals.

 

Most feeders are soldered on the tab base under the track base.

 

For ruined tabs you could glue the plastic bases together and solder jumpers.

 

If you think it is too much work, then it is. If you think it is not that much extra effort your are right there also. Only your thinking holds you back.

 

Hey all,

thank you so much for the replies and advice. I will have to do an inspection to make sure that the tabs and what not are still all "there."

Happy Sunday and thanks again,

Greg

www.youtube.com/trainbros89

John,

Thanks for the reply. I do have a question regarding the lock-on. For the extra lock-ons, do we run feeder from the transformer to it or do we just plug the lock-ons in? 

Thanks so much,

Greg

I would suggest you trash the Realtrax and go with something else like Fastrack or Ross track and use their roadbed. Trying to fix it is a waste of time.

 

Realtrax has been known to have problems so if it was me, sell it, trash it But give up trying to use it.

Greg,

put one or two lockons evenly spaced at the farthest ends and run additional wires from the transformer to these new lockons. Should alleviate the problem.

 

Greg, your video shows a really neat carpet layout.  Your easiest solution may be adding more lockons.  See the middle of this page for more extensive solutions.  Set Kids Up For Success.

David,

I am starting to see that. I quickly went over some of the tracks and saw how run down they were. In the future, whenever I have a permenant layout, I am choosing Ross track for sure!

Regards,

Greg

Susan,

Thank you for the compliment about the layout. I viewed your layout and it was very helpful: visuals are always great. I appreciate your help.

Regards,

Greg