I just bought a Aristo Reversing Unit and it is not working correctly.
I set it up per instructions with the diodes under the rerailers on the same side a piece of 24" track inbetween and 12" pieces on each end. I used a LGB transformer turned it halfway on the loco moved and switched itself back and forth over the rerailer. I could hear the reverser unit clicking on and off.
Any ideas what could be wrong?
Thanks
Yes, if there are “pickups” on both sides of the gap, it will do this… usually a long loco, or a loco with a lighted caboose, etc.
Greg
If it was the 5003 power pack, the output if I remember correctly is half wave and a reverser would not like this. Try a different power pack.
I was using a USAT speeder then an Aristo 2 axle switcher then a PIKO saddle tanker so the wheel base was pretty short on these .
I thought you had hit it Dan. I was using a 5003 power pack. I then tried a LGB 50081 which didn’t help then tried a USAT transformer “The Sounder” 20M and none of them worked properly. I actually have another aristo reverser that worked fine with the LGB 50081 so first I swapped out one then both of the rerailers just in case it was a bad diode in this used setup I just bought. It didn’t help. When the loco moved it went over the rerailer and kept on going.
I then disconnected the used reverser unit and hooked the one that I know works and it worked the same. When the loco moved it would go over the rerailer and not stop crashing through the track bumper?
When I get home later today I will give it another shot but I cannot imagine what is going wrong. I cleaned the track but maybe I will try a new shiny piece.
Try reversing the polarity of the diodes.
Where are you connecting power to the track?
Make sure the timer is not adjusted too low, sometimes that messes up operations.
The only issue I have ever had with mine is I had to replace a couple of diodes over the 12+ years that I have owned it.
And, it doesn’t like bigger engines that have a high startup current draw.
I downloaded this file from Astrocraft site some time ago.
Is was titled “Aristo 11090 - 11091 - Correct Diode - Wiring Polarity”.
The only thing I can see is the leads from the reverser to the track are opposite from the manual.
Hmm now you guys have me thinking. With the used set I just bought I was using alligator clips to connect power to the track at the end of the line. I just wanted to test this quickly to make sure it works. With that diagram Tom I can see where I would have a problem.
With my older set that was brand new I had attached the power wires to the screws under the rerailer BUT when I had it set up the power was inbetween the diodes not at one end like I had it arranged this morning!
I bet that is the issue.
Yes, power has to be connected in the middle of the line… Not on the end, that explains why the train kept going past the re-railer.
Well now I feel like a dummy. Both reversing units are working fine. Yes that same diagram is in the instructions. I kept looking at it and trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. The power lines needed to be in the middle of the diodes not at the end.
Thanks for all the help guys and getting me back on track.