DCC Specialties PSX-AR Turnout control

[nebrzephyr]

Have recently moved and starting a new layout. This will be my 1st experience with reverse loops. In looking at the DCC Specialties PSX-AR board it indicates it will automatically throw the Tortoise to allow the train to exit the reverse loop. What I can't find is how does the Tortoise gets reset to the opposite position so the next train can enter the loop from the same direction as the first train.

Or does the PSX-AR assume trains will alternate the direction they enter the loop, that is 1st train enter clockwise, 2nd train enters counter-clockwise? And then the PSX-AR always just reverses the Tortoise to opposite of the current setting.

Thanks. Bob

[mlehman]

Bob,
I run all mine with manual throws, but the PSX-AR can be addressed manually via push buttons or standard DCC accessory commands. It is also flash-programmable. Between those features, I'd almost bet someone has a simple hack to automate returning a turnout to Normal position.

The PSX-AR has three addresses. One manually controls the power to the PSR-AX. The second is to allow photo-cell control to turn the power on or off. The third allows control of the Tortoise. Page 8 of the manual notes you can install a pushbutton to reset the Tortoise position by turning the power off, then on, resetting the Tortoise to Normal. That should mean you can do the same thing via DCC command. That's what I also don't see, is how to automate this last step. Is that what you're talking about?

[nebrzephyr]

Thanks Mike. I don't see anything on page 8 that talks about a manual push button. Yes, the way I am currently designing the new layout I would prefer to have the train enter the loop the same way every time, i.e say clockwise.

I'm really not interested in doing it via CV's as that means my grandsons would need to use a DT400 say, versus the small Digitrax controller. Plus it makes it more complicated for them to run trains.

Maybe I just go with the OG-AR and do a manual turnout control with push buttons.

Bob

[mlehman]

Bob,
My manual is from almost a deacde back when I was converting to DCC, so may be different than current versions. Here's what mine says on page 8:

If you need to return the turnout to the reset position without issuing a DCC command, here is a simple solution. Install a normally closed pushbutton switch in series with one of the power leads to the input to connector J1. When you need to reset the turnout, operate the pushbutton for a moment and when you release the PSX-AR will go through a power on reset and the switch will return to the normal position.

[nebrzephyr]

Mike, thank for the piece from the old manual.. Maybe I just missed it in the current version.

Admittedly the PS-AR has other benefirs over the OG-AR but from a simply "reverser" function if I need a push button to flip the switch back, then maybe I just use the OG-AR with a set of push buttons.

Thanks for your help. Bob

[davidmbedard]

The other viable option is a reversing unit and a spring switch. It sucks when the PXAR fails and every sing axel comes off the track.

David B

[mlehman]

David,
I'm curious about the nature of the failure you describe. Never have heard such a complaint with the PSX-AR, but the internet is a big place. Were the switch machine and any sensors wired up correctly?

And if the turnout wasn't thrown correctly, why didn't the engineer stop the train when wheels first started bouncing on the ties?

You wouldn't need another auto reverser, though, given the PSX-AR does that. It would work fine with a spring switch, too.

My limited experience with spring switches is that they are finicky mechanical things that require considerable tuning and consistent rolling stock weight, etc. Lots more chances for something to go wrong. If a PSX-AR and a turnout wired to it show an issue, tracking that down will fix the problem with most everything. A failure to navigate a spring switch may result in an adjustment that fixes things with that car, but could result in it causing other cars to have similar issues, which could lead to considerable frustration.

[davidmbedard]

The failure came about about 9 years ago during a setup at a Freemo meeting at Big Valley Alberta. The turnout controlled the lead turnout to a large reversing loop. Upon coming out of the loop, the PXAR would in fact detect and throw the turnout to the correct orientation , but because of sparking due to dirtyish track, it would flip against the exiting train......resulting in many wheels on the ground.

Now, I'm not versed in the different versions of this electronic wizardry, but with that experience and my complete failure with servo controlled turnouts, I have always leaned towards the simplest, cheapest option. In the case of this thread, a spring switch would handle things just fine points - wise.

David B

[mlehman]

David,
Ah, so it's not the PSX-AR so much as any reverser you don't trust here? I guess I can see that after your experience, but it also sounds like it wasn't so much the auto reverser as some maintenance issue that caused it to react in an unanticipated way.

My experience with spring switches is very mixed. With consistent rolling stock and weighting, like on a unit train, they do OK. Once you mix in lighter cars and different trucks, spring switches are a different proposition. ,v