Transformer Keeps Tripping-Can't Find a Problem-Need helpful suggestions

I assume the idea is NOT to pull up all 60+ feet of track inspecting each section for a short.

Do you have a digital meter than can measure "low" resistances?   If there's a single short around the loop, you should be able to isolate the location to within a few feet.  Then pull up just a few sections for closer visual inspection.

There is the brute-force approach of hooking a car battery (or the like) to blow out a short...smoking/melting/starting-fire to the offending track section.  Not sure that's a "helpful suggestion" though. 

Yikes...We can assume it's the track from what you described... What's the next step?? I suppose you're going to have to divide the layout in half by removing 2 sections of track and determining  which 1/2 has the short. . Them same thing again.

Another method is to use a large bulb, say an automotive headlight bulb.  Put that in series with the track connection and then hunt down the warm spot where the short is.  You can also search it out with a meter between the center and outside rails, the voltage should go down until you reach the short.

ID check  standard track pieces first, that outside rails still have insulation from hot center rail. use ohm  meter  to check  for short. as stan suggested. 

Thanks for the suggestions. I am going top start with two short tubular sections that I cut. I am hoping one of those is the problem. if not then I will leave it to the process of elimination.

thanks

Paul

Paul,

  Sense you have a couple pieces of Transition Track, remove them, place some bumpers at each end of your  1/2 oval and test each half of the oval one at a time.  You might have a bad transition track or a bad piece of RealTrax.

PCRR/Dave

I bet your tubular Track insulators are compromised. Check those first

Matt, You hit it correctly. The one short piece of tubular had a plastic insulator that the metal tab pushed thru. Removed it and everything worked. Just got done running the engine to make sure everything looks good.

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions. I will probably post some pictures of the now completed ceiling oval in the next day or so. Then I can get started on my O layout below.

Thanks again,

Paul

Good deal, congratulations on your new railroad

Paul,

   Glad you are back up and running, glad we could help.

PCRR/Dave

Thanks again all. I posted pictures of the ceiling train on the Track Plans and Layout Forum.

thanks

Paul

stan2004 posted:

There is the brute-force approach of hooking a car battery (or the like) to blow out a short...smoking/melting/starting-fire to the offending track section.  Not sure that's a "helpful suggestion" though. 

Where i retired from, we had to install shielded RF screen rooms and invariably there would be shorts between inner and outer screens.  We used high amperage power supply and zapped those shorts. Made a noise similar to bug zapper!!