Wiring Multiple Clip Ons to Larger Track

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How many loops of track? How many trains will run at once? Do the loops crossover? Running conventional or command?

We would love to help but we can't see your link. 

There is one loop, one train running, the loops do crossover (with X track pieces) and running conventional.

Here is the image (it won't let me upload an image here?): http://imgur.com/bks5Rqy

     You say the circuit overloads. Is one of the lock-ons wired backwards relative to the others? Post A on the transformer should be hooked to clip# 1 on every lock-on and post U to clip# 2. If one lock-on is reversed there would be short circuit. I can't think of much beyond that.

I agree, I can't think of any reason why this isn't working.

I have verified that all lock-ons are wired correctly and the same way, I have tried swapping out lock-ons, using different wire, but it doesn't seem to work.

When I turn on the transformer, the LED goes on, however the train does not move.  Strange right?

Take the LED out of the circuit(s). That needs a diode.

You have the wires crossed in your diagram!  You are connecting wires between the center rails and outside rails.  Make sure that the wire that feeds the center rail feeds the center rail on ALL track connections.

How do I have the wires crossed?

im not sure what you mean, in the diagram and on my actual track I have one wire that goes from the switch to the center track (the same for both lock ons) and the ground wire returning from the outside track. Both lock-ons are wired the same way.

Where is the crossover error?

I think I misread it, I would have sworn I saw they were swapped.  In any case, that's what your symptoms suggest, I guess that's why I thought I saw that.

No problem I appreciate your help!!

i just tried taking the LED out and it works!

Out of curiosity, does anyone know why it works with one lock on and an LED but not with multiple ones?

False alarm. It worked for a second and then stopped working. I think it might actually be the way I am connecting wires. I'll re-wire the setup and then report back.

Check the wiring, CLEARLY the LED can't be causing an over-current, that's just not going to happen!  The LED and resistor are in all practicality invisible to the transformer, like a flea on an elephant's butt.

I suppose a meter would solve this quickly.

Track, no transformer wires, center to outside to outside rails. Bad insulator paper under a rail?

I still think the wiring is crossed, it's the only thing that makes sense with an overload after connecting the second lockon.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I still think the wiring is crossed, it's the only thing that makes sense with an overload after connecting the second lockon.

 I think so as well.  Disconnect the 2 wires on the lock-on (the ones that don't work) and trying  touching one wire to each connection  briefly...  If only one of the connections "sparks" hook it up to the other one. Then hook up the last wire, should be no sparks .. Unless.... As pointed out by  Moonman, a  center rail insulator has let go and the center rail is touching the metal  tie.. Hope not.

If a center rail insulator was gone, the other lock-on would be shorted as well.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

If a center rail insulator was gone, the other lock-on would be shorted as well.

Good point.  What about the resistor value?

Unless that resistor is a pretty large one, any "short" with it in the circuit would quickly resolve itself!

I just re-wired everything and, I'm not exactly sure what happened, but all of a sudden it's working perfectly. I didn't change anything from the diagram (LED still included). The only thing I can think of was I removed an un-used lock on that was really rusty.

Anyway, thanks everyone for your suggestions!

Good find! Trains for Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

You fixed the short, job done.