Voltage Question

Don't measure from the non-derailing rail, that's not a useful measurement.  You're really measuring the internal circuitry that senses the wheels conducting from the opposite rail.  Ignore that reading and move on.

Sounds like voltage loos due to poor electrical distribution throughout the layout. A few tips:

• Be sure to use the proper wire type and size for the application. Generally 14AWG is recommended for the bus runs and 16AWG for local drops.
• Make sure you have multiple drops to the track. Track joints are well known to inhibit the flow of electricity and so having drops/feeders every few sections of track is recommended
• Be sure you have multi-meter that can read the true RMS Voltage of an electronic AC waveform.
• Look into adequate subcircuit protections with strategically sized and placed instant circuit breakers and TVS diodes. (This won't help with your voltage drop question, but part of a good layout electrical distribution plan)

Look again, he was measuring the non-derailing sense rail.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Look again, he was measuring the non-derailing sense rail.

I somehow missed that detail. That is no good as you say. All the recommendations still stand, but if the issue is only at the non-derail isolated rails, then the remainder of the infrastructure may by up to the task.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Don't measure from the non-derailing rail, that's not a useful measurement.  You're really measuring the internal circuitry that senses the wheels conducting from the opposite rail.  Ignore that reading and move on.

Ok thanks.  I wasn’t sure if that was a concern or not.

I am using 14 gauge bus with drops every 6 feet.  I don’t have any voltage drops, it’s just lower across the isolated sections for non derailing.

You're wiring is fine, it's a non-issue.