SUGGESTED LIONEL S GAUGE PRODUCTS

MTH uses electronics within the Engine to sense and automatically reverse the polarity to the motor...

That would be fine as an accessory track pack. Looking at the bigger picture, I would like to see the S Fastrack selection include wide radius curves. Like S-72, etc. Various degrees of crossings, wide radius switches.   

S needs to reach out beyond the Gilbert  Flyer tight radii. We now have the wonderful engines to run, they would look great on a sweeping curve.

And turnouts to match the curves.  While numbered turnouts (#4, #6, etc.)make sense in the scale world, a turnout that could be put in place of a curved section of track would probably be more attractive for our HiRail and Flyer friends.

One of the shortcomings of SHS S-Trax was the only turnout available was for the 20" radius and SHS was working on a #5 rather than ones to match the 24" and 27" radius curves.

Rusty

I'd like to see a system that could be retrofit for any 2-rail track system.

DCC has modules to reverse track polarity and throw turnouts, but that doesn't help folks with Legacy or DCS.

Rusty

I`ve read about this feature of Automatic Polarity Detecting and Reversing for years and as far as I know it`s part of the DCS System...

I`ve asked on the MTH Facebook page if the Automatic Polarity Reversing includes AC and DC and with-in the DCS System.. If they don`t know I`ll ask MTH directly...

I asked MTH Facebook and they don`t seem to know anything about this feature I`ve read about, all they knew is that the electronics can sense AC or DC Track power.. I think I`ll call MTH tomorrow, so I can talk to someone in person..

I called MTH today and the technician I talked to had no knowledge of the feature I had read about..

If HO DCC has a detection circuit that reverses the poliarity I can not see why it can not be done with ac powered trains, infact I wounder if the circuit would work........

DCC Specialties makes a product called the PSXAR-AC which will automatically change polarity on a two rail AC layout.  You connect your mainline track power to its input.  The output goes to an isolated section of track within your reverse loop. There needs to be a gap at each end point of the reverse loop.  In my case I have three entry points to my reverse loop so three gaps are needed.  When a conductive wheel crosses a gap one of two things happen. If the polarity is the same the board does nothing.  If the polarity is opposite then the polarity of the isolated section is reversed.  This happens so fast that engines and lighted cars show no indication of it happening.  Its all electronics, no relays so we are talking about milliseconds.  An additional feature is that if there really is a short in the isolated section the power is shut off for a few seconds.  It then powers up and will continue to shut off until the short is removed.  You can also limit the amount of current required before it tries to reverse or shut down.  The link below will take you to the page that explains about this product. Please note the picture on the web site in not correct for the AC S Gauge version. When I received the unit it looked like the picture.  The MOS-FETs (black squares on the board) were not up to the demands of the application.  After multiple times sending back they upgraded these MOS-FETs and put a large heat sink on them as well. Since this was done the unit has operated flawlessly.  I am running TMCC/ Legacy on my layout and it is a pleasure just to run and not have to worry about a reverse loop.  If you order one directly from them or a vendor you must specify the AC version for S Gauge.

http://www.dccspecialties.com/...r_compatible_2ac.htm

Do I understand correctly that this gadget will do what it takes to run a reverse loop ?

I operate AC, with an old AF 18B transfo, and old post war AF locos. I have never been able to get the AF 695 reverse loop relay to work properly, whatever the reason may be. So, will the PSXAR-AC solve my problem ?

Thank you.

Dear ekaplan,

Thank you for explaining that system.  Until your post, it seemed phantasmal.  In my own mind, I knew there had to be an isolated section like any traditional loop.

I have actually had pretty good luck creating an automatic loop with stock Gilbert equipment, but the train sensing is always the weak link.  It is reliable until you start introducing engines that are diverse either in weight (for pressure trips) or in current draw (for electronic trips).  I had poor results with an early light sensing trip.  The current sensing ability here is the key for simplicity.  I have had very good experience with a trip from dallee.  It just requires you to pass the feeding wire through a loop in the board.  Good stuff, although the trip itself runs on DC so requires an extra circuit there.

i am wondering if anyone else has had a good experience with a new production trip?  If so, where did it come from and how does it work?

thanks,

John

There were only 2 things I was jealous that my Lionel friends had. With the intro of the mint car, the basics are there for an aquarium car, which was one. The other was a pickle car, so...........

How about a subway or Acela. I always thought Lionel could sell some of the fantastic PW O gauge sets in American Flyer

Not bad.

Not bad at all.

Rusty

Doing Christmas tune ups on the grandkids trains. Whipped this up last year for them from a Lionel S docksider. Might be a good idea for Lionel to produce.

Rich

I have installed the PSXAR-AC polarity reverser as an option on the TURNTABLES I manufacture for 2-3 years. They work as intended! DCC Specialties have this circuit board for layouts powered by AC, DCS and DCC. If anyone would like a picture of the unit installed on the TURNTABLE, please email me at: daba@chibardun.net . I can also email you pictures of the E-Z ENGINE TURNTABLE with all the options. Sizes 12 inch thru 34 inch diameters in one inch increments. Pit depths one inch to 2-1/2 inches in 1/4 inch increments. Thanks, Dave B.

one more.