Can anyone explain to me why the Kato Signals will not work with DCC? Or even Atlas for that matter. I'm just a little thick to figure it out for myself.
The Kato signal is kind of snap-in-place part that is meant to be very beginner friendly. Sort of like their whole system of plugs & harnesses -i.e. no wire cutting or soldering is involved for even the most novice user to setup a rather advanced layout. This entire Kato Unitrack system is based on DC, not DCC. Just the way it is. If you're running DCC and want a signal(s), you should probably look to other manufacturers like NJ International.
I don't know much about the Kato Signals, but the Atlas Signal system will not work with DCC due to their method of detection. The Atlas Signals will work on DCC if you use their Signal circuit boards with a different current detector like NCE's BD20. I don't like the Atlas control boards as the Yellow and Green aspects are timed. I use Atlas and NJ International Signals but build my own control modules using miniature relays operated by the BD20's. The Atlas and NJ International Signal heads are wired reverse of each other. Atlas Signals are wired common Cathode while NJ international Signals are wired common Anode.
I believe the Kato signal is kind of on a timer. It detects the train and changes color to red. Then after a short interval changes to yellow and then to green. Andy Tetsu Uma
The Kato Signal uses the polarity of the rail to determine if a train is passing or if a train is running in opposition of the signal.
I've tried the Atlas signal board and detector straight out of the box on DCC a couple of years back, it does work. Timed signals are an option wth the Atlas signals but they will operate normally too. However, having said that, I am now using the SIGM20 board from British company CML Electronics in conjunction with a Digitrax BDL168 detector board as used in the article on N scale signals in the August MR. The signal board connects to the Digitrax loconet and each signal is treated as an accessory decoder like a turnout, CML has a set up program you can download that makes it very easy to set up the signals. It can be used with common cathode or anode signals, on my Santa Fe Depot T-TRAK module set that I've used as a guinea pig I have an Atlas signal alongside some from Ebay seller We-Honest (which I will be replacing with searchlights when they arrive). This is the link to CML and the SIGM20 http://www.cmlelectronics.co.uk/index.php/sigm20
I use CMRI for detection and driving signals. It works with pretty much everything, DC or DCC JMRI for the software side. Michael Pennie
