computrains Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 Hello all, I’ve an unusual situation. When testing a section of track (actually a point frog), the meter reads 15.9vac. Put a loco on that section of track and it’s dead. Not a short, just no power. Meter reads less than 1vac while loco is on the track. Lift the loco and 15.9vac returns. Can anyone tell me what could be happening please? Roland Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil S Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 This suggests a poor (highish resistance) conñction to that section..... Quite simply; when no current is being taken ( just the high resistance of the meter) then there is no voltage drop noticed. However when a load is added ....such as a loco with a resistance of probably only 10 - 30 ohms across it ..... If the join in the track has an equal resistance, the voltage measured will be halved. For 1 volt as measured ....about 100- 300 ohms .....perhaps a loose fishplate or one with insulating adhesive coating its interior after ballasting.... Or the track moving with the weight of the loco making it loss contact. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
computrains Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 Thank you Phil, Poor connections - the bane of us railway modellers! I’ll beef things up and report back. Roland Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAF96 Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 Try the thumb test. ..with that loco on track drawing current press your tumb on each rail joint until you feel the hot one.. That is the loose joiner. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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