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Wiring Isolated Track Sections

KT ken's trainsOGR Forum Member

I have a turntable (TT)and several spurs plus 2 entry/exit track sections that access the turntable. I power the spurs (feed into the engine house) and turntable track with a separate ZW output terminal (D). My main track is powered by the same ZW, but from terminal A. The 2 entry/exit track sections are isolated on both ends and power is supplied from ZW terminal A or D, based on a power select switch on my cntl panel. When I come onto one of the isolated track sections from the main, the switch is in the 'main' position. The trains reaches a sensor and is stopped before it approaches the TT. When I exit the TT, the switch could accidentally be in the 'main' position, but I can only power the TT track from the turntable power terminal. I just read that if you cross an isolated track section where each section is powered by different terminals on the same transformer, you could damage the transformer. Is this true, and if so, will this only be a problem if the voltage at each output is significantly (?) different, such that the current flow would be through the two separate pickups on the coils and through several coil windings with almost no resistance?

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KT ken's trainsOGR Forum Member

Thanks Rob. I just ordered a clamp on ammeter and need to figure out where to clamp it. I was thinking to just measure the current output of, say terminal A (which is powering that section) with the engine moving toward the isolated junction, and check to see what happens to the current when it bridges the junction. I don't know if that would tell me if there was actually an internal problem or not.

Ken

Last edited by ken's trains
CC Choo Choo CharlieOGR Forum Member

Below is how I added a clamp on ammeter to my three Lionel LW transformers and how I solve the problem of a 0 to 25 amp ammeter range, much to wide to read on my typical 2 to 5 amp operating range.  I use one ammeter for three LW transformers.

Adding an Ammeter to Layout's Three LW Train Transformers

I have had a Amprobe Clip on ammeter for 50 plus years and it is scaled for 0-25 amps Max.  I use it check the amp draw of appliances around the house and shop.  It has an adapter that lets you plug in the cord of an item into it and read the amps without cutting wires.

I have been curious as to how much amperage my trains draw especially when running a passenger train with Lionel 2400 series cars with 6 to 8 large original light bulbs in the 3 to 4 cars.

I thought if the Amprobe ammeter would work I could use it for all three LW transformer and not have to install three ammeters on the two control panels.

The Amprobe ammeter has a small area to show the 0 to 5 amp range I would use for measuring train amps and is hard to read accurately in that small area.

Picture of the $25 Amprobe Clamp on Ammeter, full range 0-25 amps:  note the compressed area of 0 to 5  amps on the left of the scale.

IMG_1690

To amplify this area to 5 times its size, I made a simple 5 loop wire doughnut and rapped it with electrical tape.  That changes the max reading from 25 amp max to max of 5 amps for the whole range of the meter.

Five coil wire doughnut installed and meter is rotated to each of three LW transformers

IMG_1711

Picture of 5 turn coil, LW transformer and Amprobe clip on ammeter, reading scale for 5 turn coil in service are the big numbers added on with taped on numbers.

IMG_1694

With a clip on ammeter I only need one meter and can move it to each LW.  They all now have a 5 coil donuts.

IMG_1698

The Amprobe ammeter works very well for monitoring trains and still is available for other amp meter needs.  I love it when I can re-purpose something I already have.


Charlie

Last edited by Choo Choo Charlie

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Tags: Wiring, Sections, Isolated, ZW, Track
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