Define this "hesitation"? Does the offending loco stall completely or is there a slight flicker in the headlights prior to the AR-1 flipping over?  Also, are these particular locos equipped with sound?  Also, and I know this is kind of obvious, are your train lengths shorter than your reversing section?  If they are even one truck length longer, you will cause a quick short if a metal wheel bridges both gaps on either side of the loop.

I am using similar components as you with my SB3a NCE 5amp booster and an AR-1 and have not had problems to date.

I have the same situation Jim.  I put PSX-ARs on both ends and they both work great.

- murf

Hey Johnny.

Some of my loco are sound equipped some are not. When an engine goes through the loop, returns and hits the section where the AR should trip, the engine stalls. I can, eventually, get the engine to go through without stalling, but then other engines will have problems.

As far as train length, this will occur whether there are cars on the track or not. And my reversing loops have plenty of space.

I have read that some people have good luck with these and some don't.

That is why I posted here.

I will work on it some more tomorrow.

Thanks for the reply.

Jim Lowery

Hey Murf.

I have heard that these work really well "PSX-AR" and they can be set up to auto throw the return switch. Like I said I just want to run some trians.

Jim Lowery

The Digitrax units use relays to reverse the power.  These cause arcing and are limited by the speed of the relay throw.  I use the PSX units as well and they work perfectly every time.

That is the only series of auto reversers or circuit breakers that I recommend to my clients!

I'll have a single reverse loop in my upcoming layout and, with the resounding praise from you guys, I'll have to invest in one of these lil' guys!

Thanks for the tip!

Jim, I see that you had adjusted the AR-1 during your initial setup.  Could it be possible that you turned the trip voltage up too high for the relay to kick?  You stated this happens intermittently for you which leads me to believe that when the loco enters the reversing loop with the polarity set to match the mainline, the loco will pass just fine.  That same loco later on in the run may enter in the exact same manner but, only this time, the polarity has been swapped (the relay kicked over after the loco passed through the section on the previous run).  If your trip voltage is too high, it may cause your loco to stall.

Try turning down the trip voltage - only small adjustments at a time! - and see if you can get the loco to pass through.  Hopefully it will work for you.  If not, I suggest a PSX-AR!

No I have adjusted this thing ad infin itum. up down middle etc... So I just ordered the PSX-AR, and since it is a reversing loop it will throw the points as well. I hope this ends the problem. If it works, I will get one for the other end. Thanks for the input everyone. I will let you know what happens.

Jim Lowery

One AR unit feeding both ends of the layout, or two, one feeding each end independently?

one at each end Andy. It is really odd. I was out there today, and my engine goes through just fine, then loops back around again... click... engine stops for a couple of seconds and starts to roll again. Same engine, same section different result.

Gremlins

Jim Lowery