Star power

One transformer?

Yes a Lionel Zw-l

With only 4 loops

Wihtout more detail as to size, configuration, exactly where, and such, its hard to say if and what the problem is.  There are many possible solutions.

Sorry for the delay, busy weekend.  I am using a zw-l and two power loops for phase two. I did the layout in scram, I'll attached the file.  I ran 16 gauge speaker wire from the transformer to a miller Power Distribution Board. From the board I ran 16 gauge wire to four points on the loop that  are on a 13' x 12' board. 

 

I am thinking it may be the power distribution board...  I use other boards for wiring the switches to the aiu and had a couple of dead spots .

well, all of your tracks not being connected would be a problem! (Sorry, had to rib you on the SCARM skillz)

 

I get ~ 173 feet of track on that board. Sound close to you? That would be 17 pair of feeds at every 10 feet or 14 at every 12 feet per Barry's bible.

 

I use that many feeds from a bus.

 

If you could take the track out at the bridge and top connection to the other table and measure the resistance of the track from like rail on bridge cross and other cross, it would tell you if there is a problem if it is high. Then you could try to isolate it. I suppose you could crawl under and check resistance on the distribution board from the input to each connection screw. If one seems way to high, then you would have to take it out for further testing.

 

Were the switches and double cross Ross ready? They need some wiring if not.

 

It should run fine with one power and common and the resistance should be low if all is well for the entire new board.

 

That's a few diagnostics that I recommend to help determine where to look.

 

 

Not sure this really fits in with your problem, but FWIW I have a Miller terminal block on my bench right now with a dead terminal on the common bus. It appears to be soldered just like all the others, nothing visibly wrong, but it's not making contact. Just thought I would mention this since you said yours was suspect.

 

This was dealing me a fit when I installed it, had one circuit out of 4 or 5 that would just not work. Thought it was my wiring, but it was this terminal. I installed an MTH terminal block in it's place (problem solved) and took it to the bench for examination. I will use a jumper on the bad terminal and re-use it again somewhere else, now that I know what is going on.

 

 

Yes all the switches are wired. I used a miller power board for them and had dead termals. I am thinking about just using a terminal and connecting all the wires to one lug to insure power. Miller boards are probably not design for track power.

That was my second layout phase that I used scram. The first one my son show me how to use the software. 


The finish product looks a lot better.

I suppose you could go right to the terminal board like you said, as they are a known problem.

 

Just messin' with you on the software thing. It's takes some time.

 

I am glad that posted the view of whole layout. Nice long run. Perfect to work in the balloon shape on the other board. It takes some space to work that into a layout. I've liked it since I saw the old one in Humboldt, CA.

Here is a better view. The ballon is a left over from previous layout

The miller board looked heavy enough, but maybe you are right about the use for higher voltages and amperages? The signs only use 4.5 volts I believe. I was doing switches with mine, but they are all 18 volts. I really like the smaller size of the Miller boards.

 

Although a little more expensive, I have had very good luck with the MTH terminal blocks. Overkill, but I prefer the 24 terminal ones because the wire terminations (hot & common) are on the same sides of the term strip, unlike the 12 terminal models with one on each side. Makes a neater looking wiring job.

 

And, very nice layout, thanks for the pics it's looking good.

I thought the inner most angle leg ran around the yard. It is still nice. Thanks for video.

I found 12 position marine terminal bus bars for the Eagle Scout MTH layout that we are restoring. I got the covers, but probably not necessary. I Sharpie the yellow and red if I need another color. Nice big feed for a 12awg.