Larry, another excellent video full of information. I am looking forward to the future video on the DS64 and the other decoders. Again, I learned a lot about DCC in this video. Thanks for sharing. Ken
Glad you found it useful. I figure I could do a video every week for the next couple of years and still not cover all the topics I have outlined, so keep watching!
Thanks Larry. lots of info. i do use several NCE switch 8 MK2s. Another good point to make is the Button board made for the Switch 8. If you are using a simple button button panel (without JMRi) it works great to throw turnouts. Just note that the buttons will not pass the current state to of a switch to JMRI.
Yes, you have to have their auxiliary input unit for feedback. I covered the use of the Button Board in the earlier video on the Switch 8 so I decided not to repeat that material. Hope you are enjoying them, these are really nice options for push button control panels.
I am looking forward to your tutorial on setting up DS64 Routes. I have my DS64 working OK with throttle or JMRI control but programming routes seems confusing, or at least not well explained in the Digitrax documents. Please explain it in layman's terms. What issue of MR has your article on it? Thank you for your effort in these videos.
Larry, did you ever do a follow-up video on the Jack Wabbit Quad? Specifically with Kato turnouts as a substitute for the now defunct DS64. I've "attempted" to read the manual for the JWQ but it is like reading the scribbles from my 2-year old granddaughter - makes sense only to the author. Ron
Hi Larry its Ray again you know if you use a bright boy or a fine sanding block lt will leaves scratches on the rail now i used a block of wood with a screw and washer and rub it back and forth on my some day railroad of mine? USA.
noob to dcc and n scale. had to wait to retire to find time. DigitTraks has a new accessory decoder, DS78V. I've look at the 4 turnout version so I understand how to connect my Kato turnout to the decoder. But this new guy has 3 wires coming from the turnout and Kato only has two? also connector is a pin array like the tourtose ones you showed. How do i connect this and my Kato turnouts? thanks for the help. Eric Seevers
The DS78V is for controlling servos not switch machines. The Ds74 is for switch machines but the instructions say nothing about use with Kato and the only stationary decoder they seem to list for Kato Unitrack turnouts is the DS51K1. You could contact them and see if there is a way to use the DS74.
Question The DCC decoders that go in the locomotives, do they have build in speakers for the sounds of the type of loco or are they attached to speakers? If they are attached to speakers, which is the best sounding. I have heard some locos that sound terrible.
Some come with speakers attached but most do not, you have to add your own. I have done several videos on speakers and their installation so scan my channel home page for the list. Also in all my sound installation videos I show how to install the speakers. Getting good sound is a matter of selecting the right decoder and speaker, and installing it correctly.
Great video! I got a question I hope you may be able to answer. I got an MRC PA2, peco 83 electrofrogs, and green tortoise switches. What is a good budget decoder for the tortoise/ MRC combo? Also do i need frog juicers or can the tortoise themselves do the job of reversing polarity for the frogs. Thank you for your videos and time.
The Tortoises have two switches built in that you can use to provide power and correct polarity to your electrofrogs. Based on the number of questions I am getting I think I need to do a video just on wiring Tortoises for this purpose. Now as to the budget decoder I assume you mean accessory decoder. First, you only need accessory decoders for switch machine controls if you want to use DCC commands to control them or if you want to use pushbuttons. I showed how to do that in my video series on control panels. You can also just use toggle switches and DC power for a cheaper method. I still need to go back and do a video on how to do that. Too many things on my to do list and not enough time to do them. So tell me what you want to actually do and I’ll see if I can help with a better answer.
@@TheDCCGuy i plan to control my tortoises via the DCC on my MRC. No toggle switches. Will be using 24 turnouts. Already got all the tortoises and turnouts. I see many videos online for this for digitracks but none for MRC. PS, thanks for having captions as I am deaf.
In that case then you can use just about any accessory decoder that is designed for use with stall motor type switch machines like the Tortoise. Just like mobile decoders, accessory decoders of any brand can be used with any DCC system. For example the DS44 I showed in the video could be used to control up to 4 Tortoises using just the DCC commands generated by the PA2. I suggest you visit various manufacturer websites and download the manuals for their accessory decoders. That should give you an idea of which you feel most comfortable with. On my last layout I had accessory decoders from half a dozen different manufacturers without any problems. Once you decide I suggest you purchase one and try it out before committing to a whole bunch of them. Good luck-Larry
To trigger an accessory on my NCE system I currently can initiate either on or off using the Select Acc Key. Is there a way to initiate a "momentary on" to start a sound file on an MP3 player which has several addresses each with different sounds?
There might be some accessory decoders that can produce a momentary on pulse and do the trick but most are configured to turn things on or off. You might ask NCE tech support wether any if theirs will do that. After that it will mean digging through various companies manuals to see what they offer. I’d start with Digitrax as they have several versions some with programability.
Larry, is there anyway you could explain how addressing an NCE (Snap It) accesory decoder works, on the paperwork for the snap it accessory decoder says I should be able to address the decoder from 1 to 2044. I tried to address my second decoder to an address of 1940 and the decoder did not respond to that address, it did respond to an address of 19 and 1 please help if you can
To program the address you put the programming jumper to programming position then send a command to the accessory address you want it programmed to. Do you have both instruction sheets? They released an insert that tells how to program the address. Available at the information station on their website.
I'm using a loco/mobile decoder to rotate my Peco turntable Locomotech motor kit. It works very well with my NCE Powercab. The only thing is, I cannot program any CV's as it's not a loco that's physically sitting on the rails. I would love to be able to program CV4=0 in order to stop the turntable IMMEDIATELY I press power to zero. But unfortunately it continues to rotate for a second or two and overshoots the exit rails off the turntable unless I pre-judge where I want it to stop. CV4 set higher than 0 is fine for locomotives as it gives braking realism but not good for controlling turntables. Am I missing something when it comes to programming accessories or is something missing from the NCE Powercab??
I think it is just the momentum of the turntable motor and drive system. I use a potentiometer and 12VDC power supply to control my turntable a d it does the same thing. I am thinking about installing some kind of mechanism that will stop it as soon as I get a chance to design one.
@@TheDCCGuy I initially thought that but when I press the red EMERGENCY STOP button on the Powercab, the turntable does stop dead immediately, with no overshoot.
What kind of decoder is it and have you tried turning BEMF off? It apparently has some amount of momentum in the decoder so I would look for ways to make sure that all forms of momentum are off when the throttle is set to speed step “0”. You also might want to check the momentum setup for that decoder in the PowerCab throttle (refer to your manual).
@@TheDCCGuy The decoder is ESU LokPilot 5. I just don't feel that the NCE Powercab when it comes to DCC accessory programming is all that proficient due to the fact it expects decoders to be attached to a moving locomotive where it can be programmed on a Programming Track. The "Program Accessory Decoders" (Shortcut = Prog 7), asks for the accessory address. This is confusing... does it mean the number I assigned to the decoder as a 4 digit loco number? If I type in the 4 digit number I assigned (6001) then press Enter, it starts flashing on the first number "6" then if I press Enter again it displays 1=N (ON) or 2=R (OFF). It just seems to think that all accessory decoders are used for points/switches and nothing else. I need to find a decent NCE Powercab video on programming Turntable decoders. For now I just can't find anything.
Is it possible to use the DS64 to control a servo? Can it be direct wired like the Tortoise? I have a situation where I cannot use a Tortoise (I use them on all other mainline turnouts) either above or below the layout.
My experience with servos was model sailplanes and a controller was required. I suggest you check the www.tamvalleydepot.com/products.html website to see what they have on using servos for turnout control. DS64s a very flexible so there should be a way, I’ve just never tried it.
There are two options, (1) create a dead section, or (2) use a block occupancy detector to activate the switch motor. In the first case I have cut a gap in one rail on the approach to the heel and powered it from the SPDT in the switch machine. I set it up so power to the rail is off when thrown against that approach and on when the switch is closed. Works fine with a single loco but multiples can push the lead loco on into the points. The second case is more complex as I showed in my video (#197) on automating a reverse loop using the Cobalr iP Digital switch machine and their LMID detectors. I looked on the Circuitron website but the application notes on the Smail are not available. Maybe an email to the company will help. DCC Specialties offers several devices that may do what you want but will take some studying. They are now housed on the Tonys Trains website.
You just take the power feed from the DCC power bus wire that would normally feed the dead rail and wire it into the SPDT switch built into the Smail. Take the output and connect it to the dead rail. If you get the wires reversed then just reconnect them until it works so that when the turnout is set against the straight track power is off if the turnout is thrown and powered when closed. Yes it will stall the loco if the turnout is not set correctly but that is better than a derail at the points and associated short circuit. It also is a lot cheaper and easier than the second option of automating the turnout.
Model Railroading I have not seen any videos on how to do this. Do you think that you could do one. How long of a dead space do you need. Does it make a difference when loco s have current keepers. Please and thank you.
I am about 99.9% sure it is one type or the other not a mix. They cover the process for setting up the unit for one or the other and they come set for solenoid.
Back in the hobby after 30 years. I’m learning a lot, Larry. Thanks for doing this.
I constantly find there is always something new to learn with model railroading, enjoy the journey.
Thank You, it took two years to upgrade my brass collection. I do however have have amazing control and sound. My railroad will take a lifetime.
Sound and excellent motor control are the big draws of DCC for a lot of folks.
Thanks Larry, great information here.....
Larry, another excellent video full of information. I am looking forward to the future video on the DS64 and the other decoders. Again, I learned a lot about DCC in this video. Thanks for sharing. Ken
Glad you found it useful. I figure I could do a video every week for the next couple of years and still not cover all the topics I have outlined, so keep watching!
I intend to keep watching. Thanks again.
Another great video! Thanks
thank you for detail video as share other about DCC
Thanks Larry. lots of info. i do use several NCE switch 8 MK2s. Another good point to make is the Button board made for the Switch 8. If you are using a simple button button panel (without JMRi) it works great to throw turnouts. Just note that the buttons will not pass the current state to of a switch to JMRI.
Yes, you have to have their auxiliary input unit for feedback. I covered the use of the Button Board in the earlier video on the Switch 8 so I decided not to repeat that material. Hope you are enjoying them, these are really nice options for push button control panels.
I am looking forward to your tutorial on setting up DS64 Routes. I have my DS64 working OK with throttle or JMRI control but programming routes seems confusing, or at least not well explained in the Digitrax documents. Please explain it in layman's terms. What issue of MR has your article on it? Thank you for your effort in these videos.
Very nice video, I've subbed to your channel
Glad to have you join us. What prototype and scale do you model?
The DCC Guy I use 00 gauge, please feel free to sub to my channel
OK, my other models are all OO gauge too, GWR in the 1930s-videos coming!
Larry, did you ever do a follow-up video on the Jack Wabbit Quad? Specifically with Kato turnouts as a substitute for the now defunct DS64. I've "attempted" to read the manual for the JWQ but it is like reading the scribbles from my 2-year old granddaughter - makes sense only to the author.
Ron
Sorry, still on my to-do list.
Hi Larry its Ray again you know if you use a bright boy or a fine sanding block lt will leaves scratches on the rail now i used a block of wood with a screw and washer and rub it back and forth on my some day railroad of mine? USA.
noob to dcc and n scale. had to wait to retire to find time. DigitTraks has a new accessory decoder, DS78V. I've look at the 4 turnout version so I understand how to connect my Kato turnout to the decoder. But this new guy has 3 wires coming from the turnout and Kato only has two? also connector is a pin array like the tourtose ones you showed. How do i connect this and my Kato turnouts? thanks for the help. Eric Seevers
The DS78V is for controlling servos not switch machines. The Ds74 is for switch machines but the instructions say nothing about use with Kato and the only stationary decoder they seem to list for Kato Unitrack turnouts is the DS51K1. You could contact them and see if there is a way to use the DS74.
Question The DCC decoders that go in the locomotives, do they have build in speakers for the sounds of the type of loco or are they attached to speakers? If they are attached to speakers, which is the best sounding. I have heard some locos that sound terrible.
Some come with speakers attached but most do not, you have to add your own. I have done several videos on speakers and their installation so scan my channel home page for the list. Also in all my sound installation videos I show how to install the speakers. Getting good sound is a matter of selecting the right decoder and speaker, and installing it correctly.
Great video! I got a question I hope you may be able to answer. I got an MRC PA2, peco 83 electrofrogs, and green tortoise switches.
What is a good budget decoder for the tortoise/ MRC combo?
Also do i need frog juicers or can the tortoise themselves do the job of reversing polarity for the frogs.
Thank you for your videos and time.
The Tortoises have two switches built in that you can use to provide power and correct polarity to your electrofrogs. Based on the number of questions I am getting I think I need to do a video just on wiring Tortoises for this purpose. Now as to the budget decoder I assume you mean accessory decoder. First, you only need accessory decoders for switch machine controls if you want to use DCC commands to control them or if you want to use pushbuttons. I showed how to do that in my video series on control panels. You can also just use toggle switches and DC power for a cheaper method. I still need to go back and do a video on how to do that. Too many things on my to do list and not enough time to do them. So tell me what you want to actually do and I’ll see if I can help with a better answer.
@@TheDCCGuy i plan to control my tortoises via the DCC on my MRC. No toggle switches. Will be using 24 turnouts. Already got all the tortoises and turnouts.
I see many videos online for this for digitracks but none for MRC.
PS, thanks for having captions as I am deaf.
In that case then you can use just about any accessory decoder that is designed for use with stall motor type switch machines like the Tortoise. Just like mobile decoders, accessory decoders of any brand can be used with any DCC system. For example the DS44 I showed in the video could be used to control up to 4 Tortoises using just the DCC commands generated by the PA2. I suggest you visit various manufacturer websites and download the manuals for their accessory decoders. That should give you an idea of which you feel most comfortable with. On my last layout I had accessory decoders from half a dozen different manufacturers without any problems. Once you decide I suggest you purchase one and try it out before committing to a whole bunch of them. Good luck-Larry
To trigger an accessory on my NCE system I currently can initiate either on or off using the Select Acc Key. Is there a way to initiate a "momentary on" to start a sound file on an MP3 player which has several addresses each with different sounds?
There might be some accessory decoders that can produce a momentary on pulse and do the trick but most are configured to turn things on or off. You might ask NCE tech support wether any if theirs will do that. After that it will mean digging through various companies manuals to see what they offer. I’d start with Digitrax as they have several versions some with programability.
Larry, is there anyway you could explain how addressing an NCE (Snap It) accesory decoder works, on the paperwork for the snap it accessory decoder says I should be able to address the decoder from 1 to 2044. I tried to address my second decoder to an address of 1940 and the decoder did not respond to that address, it did respond to an address of 19 and 1 please help if you can
To program the address you put the programming jumper to programming position then send a command to the accessory address you want it programmed to. Do you have both instruction sheets? They released an insert that tells how to program the address. Available at the information station on their website.
I'm using a loco/mobile decoder to rotate my Peco turntable Locomotech motor kit. It works very well with my NCE Powercab. The only thing is, I cannot program any CV's as it's not a loco that's physically sitting on the rails. I would love to be able to program CV4=0 in order to stop the turntable IMMEDIATELY I press power to zero. But unfortunately it continues to rotate for a second or two and overshoots the exit rails off the turntable unless I pre-judge where I want it to stop. CV4 set higher than 0 is fine for locomotives as it gives braking realism but not good for controlling turntables. Am I missing something when it comes to programming accessories or is something missing from the NCE Powercab??
I think it is just the momentum of the turntable motor and drive system. I use a potentiometer and 12VDC power supply to control my turntable a d it does the same thing. I am thinking about installing some kind of mechanism that will stop it as soon as I get a chance to design one.
@@TheDCCGuy I initially thought that but when I press the red EMERGENCY STOP button on the Powercab, the turntable does stop dead immediately, with no overshoot.
What kind of decoder is it and have you tried turning BEMF off? It apparently has some amount of momentum in the decoder so I would look for ways to make sure that all forms of momentum are off when the throttle is set to speed step “0”. You also might want to check the momentum setup for that decoder in the PowerCab throttle (refer to your manual).
@@TheDCCGuy The decoder is ESU LokPilot 5. I just don't feel that the NCE Powercab when it comes to DCC accessory programming is all that proficient due to the fact it expects decoders to be attached to a moving locomotive where it can be programmed on a Programming Track. The "Program Accessory Decoders" (Shortcut = Prog 7), asks for the accessory address. This is confusing... does it mean the number I assigned to the decoder as a 4 digit loco number? If I type in the 4 digit number I assigned (6001) then press Enter, it starts flashing on the first number "6" then if I press Enter again it displays 1=N (ON) or 2=R (OFF). It just seems to think that all accessory decoders are used for points/switches and nothing else. I need to find a decent NCE Powercab video on programming Turntable decoders. For now I just can't find anything.
You should be programming the ESU mobile decoder using programming on the main. It is not an accessory decoder.
Is it possible to use the DS64 to control a servo? Can it be direct wired like the Tortoise? I have a situation where I cannot use a Tortoise (I use them on all other mainline turnouts) either above or below the layout.
My experience with servos was model sailplanes and a controller was required. I suggest you check the www.tamvalleydepot.com/products.html website to see what they have on using servos for turnout control. DS64s a very flexible so there should be a way, I’ve just never tried it.
@@TheDCCGuy Thanks! I will check them out. I've really been enjoying your videos!
What do you recommend for auto throw switch to prevent derailing when you forget to throw a Smail switch. Thank you. I'm using nce .
There are two options, (1) create a dead section, or (2) use a block occupancy detector to activate the switch motor. In the first case I have cut a gap in one rail on the approach to the heel and powered it from the SPDT in the switch machine. I set it up so power to the rail is off when thrown against that approach and on when the switch is closed. Works fine with a single loco but multiples can push the lead loco on into the points.
The second case is more complex as I showed in my video (#197) on automating a reverse loop using the Cobalr iP Digital switch machine and their LMID detectors. I looked on the Circuitron website but the application notes on the Smail are not available. Maybe an email to the company will help. DCC Specialties offers several devices that may do what you want but will take some studying. They are now housed on the Tonys Trains website.
Model Railroading how do you wire the dead section to the Smail and wouldn't that stall the engines.
You just take the power feed from the DCC power bus wire that would normally feed the dead rail and wire it into the SPDT switch built into the Smail. Take the output and connect it to the dead rail. If you get the wires reversed then just reconnect them until it works so that when the turnout is set against the straight track power is off if the turnout is thrown and powered when closed. Yes it will stall the loco if the turnout is not set correctly but that is better than a derail at the points and associated short circuit. It also is a lot cheaper and easier than the second option of automating the turnout.
Model Railroading I have not seen any videos on how to do this. Do you think that you could do one. How long of a dead space do you need. Does it make a difference when loco s have current keepers. Please and thank you.
In the case of digitrak ds64, you said it supports both stall and solenoid motors. Can these be mixed, ie: sw1,2 are stall and 3,4 solenoid?
I am about 99.9% sure it is one type or the other not a mix. They cover the process for setting up the unit for one or the other and they come set for solenoid.
If these draw power from the track, couldn’t you just make a battery holder and put it inside the locomotive?
Accessory decoders don’t go in locos they are for controlling accessories like switch machines.
@@TheDCCGuy oh whoops! I mix them up a lot. Sorry!
The Team Digital SRC8s are a nightmare to program