Q: What is the basic configuration and OpSw settings for a section of the PM42 when configured for circuit breaker control? A: The PM42 is a 4 section multi-purpose device where each of the four sections can be individually configured to act as either a circuit breaker, or automatic reverse loop controller. The PM42 monitors the current flow to the rails and interrupts the connection when it senses that the current demands exceed the upper allowable current level determined by the User controllable Option Switch (OpSw) settings. The power flow of a layout's command control system starts with the command station, or ...
Can a DS64 be powered from the LocoNet RailSync lines? No. The LocoNet cable is used only for LocoNet commands. The DS64 must be powered via the rear modular connector (12-14 volts AC or DC) OR via the AUX power 12-16 volts DC using AX1(-) and AX2(+) on the circuit board at the front of the unit. It is also possible for the DS64 to get it's power from the track hooked to Trk A and Trk B terminals, but experience has proven that this power source may not be reliable in certain situations. NOTE: Use only the rear power jack or ...
The jacks on the front and sides of the UP5, UR92, UR91, UR90, and LNRP front panels are Throttle Jacks and should only be used for connecting throttles to LocoNet. They should not be used to connect to other LocoNet devices. The jacks on the back of these units are LocoNet Jacks that are used for connecting LocoNet devices to the network. Technically speaking! These units were designed to have the FRONT jack's second Railsync differential signal run as a diode-or'ed power source (for throttles). This means that some cable orientations and power loads could cause unexpected operations in downstream LocoNet devices ...
If the DB150 unit shuts down occasionally due to a track short circuit: 1. Correct the short circuit condition and the booster will resume normal operation. 2. Turning off the booster when a short occurs is not necessary since it will re-start automatically when the short is cleared. If the DB150 unit shuts down frequently: 1. Move the DB150 so that the heat sink has a flow of cool air. 2. Place the DB150 out of direct radiant heat like sunshine or a room heater. 3. Try direct cooling by using a small fan to blow air onto the heat ...
I was planning on purchasing the Digitrax Super Chief Radio 5 amps but several members in the club told me to buy them Super Chief Radio 8 amp for my HO Layout. They said you will need the power when you start expanding.Question:Is it ok to use the 8 amp version for my HO layout?Answer:Yes it is fine to use 8 amp Digitrax boosters on your HO layout. The choice between 8 amp and 5 amp command station/boosters, it is a question of how much power your railroad is likely to consume on your railroad as it is built today. ...
LocoNet is Digitrax's method of communication between LocoNet compatible devices on a model railroad layout. LocoNet compatible devices are designed to work together on the network, and in some cases can also accept DCC commands from the track, but often go beyond the scope of simple DCC train control. LocoNet is a peer-to-peer Ethernet type multiple access network. Because of its design architecture, it is very robust and powerful. Layout implementation is simple and wiring is free form with minimal limits. LocoNet is designed to run an unshielded 6 conductor ribbon cable. Digitrax recommends using flat, six-conductor telephone wire ...
Q: Can I loop LocoNet? Is there any benefit to doing so? A: LocoNet should NOT be looped back on itself. The design of LocoNet allows branching in different directions, but LocoNet must not be set up as a loop or ring topology.
Most intermittent operation faults on all layouts, not only DCC ones, are caused by bad electrical connections and poor wheel pickups on locomotives. Poor electrical contact causes problems with sound decoder operation in particular. Sound decoder installations usually include a capacitor to store energy to keep the sound going when the decoder briefly loses electrical contact. When the track is dirty or corroded, it can't transmit the electricity and DCC signal needed to run locomotives. When the locomotive pick ups are dirty or corroded, they can't pick up the signal from the track. Check your track cleanliness and quality of wheel pickups ...
If your track does not have adequate power supply to the locomotives, then the DCC signal won’t get through either. Take a quarter or screwdriver blade and go around your layout creating electrical shorts by laying the quarter/screwdriver blade across both rails every 10 feet. Your Digitrax system should shutdown when the short is present. When the short is removed, the booster should return to normal operation. If the unit does not see a short or it does not return to normal operation after the short is removed, then you need to add more feeders.
To Test LocoNet Cables With an LT11. Unplug the wire harness from the LT1.2. Plug one end of the LocoNet cable you want to test into the LT1.Note: When making your own LocoNet Cables, it is important to make them in a consistent manner. At Digitrax, the white wire is always on the right side of the plug when the plug is viewed with the clip at the top.3. Connect the other end of the LocoNet Cable being tested to any powered Digitrax Booster’s LocoNet Port A or B. Be sure you have at least one Digitrax throttle plugged in ...
How can I connect my PR3 programming output to an existing programming track on my layout that is already set up for programming and mainline operations? Install a non shorting multi position rotary switch between a isolated section of track, 4-6” longer than your longest engine, and the various desired outputs from command stations and the PR3 output terminals. The following schematic allows a single section of track to be fed by the rail output of a command station, the programming track output of a command station, and the programming output of a PR3. To add other third party decoder ...
Q: I recently split my layout in half, with a DB150 acting as a booster powering one side and a DCS100 powering the other. I'm trying to reconnect the bus feeders to the rails, which all worked properly before the split. Now when I reconnect the feeders there is no short indication, BUT when a loco goes over the insulated gap between the two sections, a short occurs. A: This is a common issue when the first booster is added to a DCS100/DCS200 command station. MOST DCS100/DCS200 command stations come from the factory set with Rail A & Rail B connections that are the opposite ...
One of the basic problems encountered with command control systems is when things simply are not working. Period. Even after vigorous exhortation on your part, and perhaps even some enthusiastic train table banging, nothing is running. At this point, it is time to gather your wits and your patience for a debugging session. The first step to determining how to proceed is to determine if the problem with the electronics or with the layout? The tendency is to blame the electronics, after all it is a black box. But don't jump to conclusions so quickly! Be patient and follow the ...
1. Disconnect the wire harness from the LT1.2. Plug one end of the LocoNet cable being tested into the LT1.3. Connect the other end to the cable into on of the LocoNet ports on your DCS50. Make sure the Track Status Indicator Dot is lit.4. All four LEDs on the LT1 will light if the cable is good. LEDs may not all be the same brightness, this is normal. NOTE: Only three LEDs will light if the Track Status Indicator Dot is not lit.5. If any of the LEDs fail to light, recrimp the plugs on the LocoNet cable and ...
I'm helping a friend rewire an existing layout from analog to digital. You might be familiar with the layout, it is the original Clinchfield layout that Model Railroader built back in the late seventies, believe it or not. The layout, of course, is blocked for analog through DPDT switches which have been eliminated. I was able to repair the wiring back to original using the drawings that MR printed. The layout uses common rail wiring, this is what I have to work with, and to rewire using home run wiring would be a MAJOR rework, not doable. I was able ...
Problems occurring on most auto reversing sections are a result of improper wiring or gapping. Digitrax auto reversing units such as the PM42 or AR1 require a "hard" short which means there must be good current flow to both sides of the gaps, on the reversing section side and on the "normal" side. Our experience has been that over 90% of reversing section problems are a result of improper wiring or improper gaps. Another 5% is a result of improperly wired or configured auto reversing units. It is poor practice to put the gaps immediately behind a switch (turnout in ...
Direct Home Wiring: A wiring system where the DCC booster powers each rail via an individual wire. Each booster is wired to it's own track power section and there is no electrical connection between boosters. This means that each power district is double gapped and is connected to it's own booster. The boosters are in turn connected via LocoNet to the command station providing one source of commands for the entire layout.Digitrax recommends using only Direct Home Wiring for all Digitrax layouts. Non command control layouts typically use common rail wiring as part of their control method. This means that one rail ...
1. The UP5 Universal Panel is designed for mounting on the fascia board of the layout. Cut a hole approximately 2.5” W x 1.5” H in the fascia board. Insert the UP5 through the hole with the face plate on the front of the fascia board. Attach the UP5 face plate to the fascia board with four #6 screws. Note: The UP5 uses the black screws to mount the front fascia plate.2. Connect the UP5 to LocoNet using pre-tested LocoNet cables. There are 2 LocoNet Jacks located at the back of the UP5 board for connecting LocoNet devices on your layout. ...
Q: Can two sections of a single PM42 be configured to perform both the task of a circuit breaker and also automatic reverse section control for a single reverse loop? The PM42 can be configured so that one section of the PM42 is used for circuit breaker operation, feeding into another section of the same PM42 which is configured for automatic reverse section control. In the field, this configuration has been found to be unreliable in some layout configurations. If you are having problems getting this to work in your setting, we recommend using an AR1 to handle the automatic reversing secion. The ...