I've searched through the threads and other forums on the internet, but really cannot find the answers to my questions. First let me say that I have (8) Kato turnouts, (2) DS64's which will be powered with separate PS14's, and I have the NCE PowerCab. 1st question: Do I need to connect the (2) DS64's together with any cables or do they operate independently with the NCE PowerCab? 2nd question: Since the Kato turnouts will be connected to the DS64's, do I need to connect the DS64's in any manner to the NCE PowerCab panel? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
How do you plan to operate the switches? By push button or toggle, or via DCC command? Or both? The answer to your questions depends on this.
I plan on using DCC Command, which brings up another question I just discovered. I'm trying to program the Kato switches with the NCE Power Cab & DS64. I'm not exactly sure if I'm doing it right because nothing is happening. Should I be able to toggle the switches after programming with a push of a button on the Power Cab? Thanks.
Ok, so you need to connect the Trk A and Trk B leads from your tracks to the DS64s. You don't need the PS 14s, but powering the DS64s independently is always a good idea. With two DS64s, you will need to program them so that the outputs have different addresses. But first, hook some switches up to the output terminals, and with the connections above, try activating turnouts 1 to 4 (defaults). Good luck
Thanks for the information Rick. So is it mandatory to connect track A & track B leads to the DS64's? Right now I don't have them connected to the DS64. I'm just getting the power from the PS14. I thought I read that you can get the communications from the track through the turnouts that are wired to the DS64. Let me know.
Yes, it is mandatory. The connections to the Kato switches are simply to the solenoid. Nothing connects to the track. For the DS64 to receive the DCC commands, it needs to be connected to the track to get the signals. By having the PS14s, the power for the DS64 will come from there, but the command signals are still on the track. If you were using a Digitrax LocoNet system, you could use that, instead, but you aren't.
Sounds like that's where my problem is. I will try tonight and see what happens. Thanks again for your help!!
Resurrecting this thread in lieu of starting another. Anyone ever use DS64's for controlling turnouts and routes @ a stub-end yard? I have 11 yard tracks along w/ a lead that has 2 additional turnouts for a run-around...and using 3 DS64's. 10 yard turnouts + 2 turnouts at the lead. I've been reading about simple addresses, then selecting 3 digit addresses ad so on. Looking at DS64 instructions, seems like it is not that big of a deal as long as you pay attention to what you're doing. What I haven't grasped yet is programming for routes from one DS64 to another. ???
