I received my UT4R throttle today, and finally got wireless control working on my layout (still cant get the DT300R to work). Question - this is probably in the Digitrax manual but I don't have it handy - what is the process for an emergency stop in the event I suddenly lose the wireless signal? My layout is just a small switching layout with tracks running to each end and nothing to prevent a locomotive or freight car from being shoved right off onto the floor. Even worse, a concrete floor. I plan to come up with a way of blocking these off while I operate (I was thinking tongue depressors which I can remove for pictures), but in the meantime I am a little nervous as I operate.
If you lose control of your train on wireless, you need to "plug in" to regain control. That is why you need jacks around the layout, unless the booster is easily accessible. Harold
What's wrong with your 300R?? I have two of them and may be able to help you. I have read that manual more times that I care to think about Harold
The 300R shuts down when unplugged from the jack. Actually, the UT4R seemed to want to do the same thing, but I kept at it and it is working. The signal seemes "spotty". I say that in the sense that the green light on it flickers and goes completely out quite a bit. I did read in the manual with the UR91 that if there is a lot of metal around it can cause a problem. My layout is beneath the main heating duct for the house, so I don't know if that is causing any problem or not.
If your throttle dies when you unplug it, then you most likely have a power problem. Replace the battery with a new one and see if that helps. David
My first impulse is to say to check the orientation of the antenna wires on the UR91 and try different locations or heights; I also agree with ncng in that you may have a battery related problem on your DT300R; generally when you install one, it will read back the voltage to you. You could have a bad contact or something related if when you inplug the throttle goes dead. Harold
The DT300R goes to IDLE when I unplug it. I'm going to try a rechargeable battery I got at Radio Shack and see if that makes a difference. The UT4R seems to be working fine. I just need to permanetly mount the UR91 panel somewhere now. That's on my list of things to do on the layout. I've been great at figuring out what needs to be done, pretty bad at actually getting around to doing them.
Rechargables generally have a lower voltage,,, Maybe it is a communication error between the UR91 and the DT300R Harold
srf, please don't take this wrong, but check the orientation of the 9v battery. the battery can be reversed and stored in the throttle. I only mention this because I'm guilty of said offense Ed Dillard
srf lemme play with mine and see if i have the same issues. my 400 works great and both UT4R's are working like clockwork. I don't use the 300 much, so I need to work with it some to see. maybe a few days....
Thanks, I appreciate it! My UT4R is working great too, so at least that one is going good. I kind of prefer it to the 300 anyways, radio or no.
SRF, I hate to be the bearer of bad news.... my dt300r worked fine, plugging into either a up-5 or the ur-91 to acquire/dispatch only time the throttle went to idle was when a) nothing was selected on the throttle or b)unplugged the throttle and did no functions for a length of time when the throttle was active and unplugged, the idle message came up about the same length of time as it did on my dt400r (like 5 minutes or so??) didn't measure the time, just laid the 300 and the 400 side by side and watched for the idle message. gave both throttles fresh batteries at the same time, so it wasn't a battery issue. used analog (address 00) on both throttles, again acquiring from both the ur-91 and a up-5 I dunno, maybe it would be worthwhile to let the fine folks in norcross have a peek at your 300. seems a waste to buy it to only have it lay around not being used (this coming from a guy with a dt100 gathering dust!) sorry I couldn't be of more help...
Thanks. It does appear that there is something with the throttle, so as you said, maybe digitrax ought to take a look at it. I do use it some tethered, and it's not at all bad in that use, but of course I bought it for the purpose of wireless. Well it's a roadbump really, not a terribly big problem at the moment.
