I want to install a switch to power my programming track. I got that one DPDT (see attachment). It has three position, it looks like what I want but googling for wiring details revealed this thing is for reversing polarity (what?) You got it. Im confused once more. My goal is to have a switch to control power to the programming track as follow: ON: programming track AND main line active. (so I can 'drive' the engine to and from the prog. track) OFF: Nothing at all ON: Programming track only. (so I don't program all my engines at once) Can I do just that with this unit? If so, how? Once again, Im sure this is something too easy and obvious to figure out by myself! Thanks you in advance... EDIT: The solution is on post #5 by mfm_37. A visual of the solution can be seen on post #18
My booster (PowerCab) does not have a programming output; only a track. There is a separate part NCE sell as the "Auto-SW". Im trying to save $25 by installing my own switch. huh.. yea:mwacko:
Yes, that DPDT switch will work wired according to the diagram Steve posted. Something to be aware of, however, is if you have the track set for programming and you run an engine onto it from the layout, it will short the programming track outputs to the main layout outputs and has the possibilty of frying the programming outputs. Many people have used programming tracks wired that way for years without any problems, but it is something to be aware of. If it does concern you, you can use a 4PDT switch and have a buffer section between the program track and layout that is unpowered when the program track is switched to program. Here is an example of how to do it.
Won't work the way you want it to per that drawing. Only one side of switch is needed. You connect the PowerCab outputs direct to the program track and to one side of the DPDT switch. Connect your main layout to the center terminals of the switch. Flip the switch one way and the main will be connected to the PowerCab as well as the Program track for normal running. Move the switch to center or the opposite side and only the program track will be connected to the Powercab for programming. Don't let any trucks, wheels, etc. bridge the gap between main and program track. That will connect the main to program and effectively bypass the switch. Martin Myers
I can't make sense of my own original post so let me re-formulate my question into a request. Please provide the wiring scheme for this: I want: Programming track and main line at once Programming track only The PowerCab have only one output. There is no programming output therefore the diagram from post #2 is no use to me. I understand the diagram but I need something else. Thanks you.
I used a SPST (Single Pole, Single Throw) switch. The input to the switch, coming off the DCC main station, doubles as the input to the switch and the output to my programming track....meaning the programming track is always powered when the base station is powered and power is run out its terminals (Digitrax SB150 with the DT400 throttles requires the extra step of enabling power to the rails). The output terminals for the SPST serve the rest of the layout. The programming track is my turntable lead, necessarily gapped at the pit lip. The other end is gapped at the end of the turnout. When I place an engine on it for addressing, all I have to do is to flip the toggle and the rest of the layout goes dead. Taking pains to ensure the engine is not straddling the turnout-end gap, I can then programme at will. When I am ready to drive the newly adjusted engine out onto the main, I merely flip the toggle back, the other engines beging to pump and inject, and I run the new gal off to the yard.
This sounds like what I want. I missed your post by a few minutes. You must have been writing it while I was drawing a pretty diagram.
Hello All This is covered very thoroughly in the Power Cab Manual. A photo of the hook up using the “Power Cab” is shown. Pay attention, Power Cab diagram. I know the Male Species do not like to read the manuals but it sure helps if you read it first. A couple more times will help also. The output of the Power Cab becomes the Program track output in Program Track option. That is for protection of a possibly miss wired decoder. The link to the manual. Again, read read the manual. http://www.ncedcc.com/pdf/Power%20Cab%20Manual%201-25-06.pdf The switch wiring will be different using a booster with track output and program track output.
To all tuned in, I started this just after Martin's input and thought perhaps I needed to throw in here. Seems, others have jumped in ahead of me...so...I'm not sure this is relevant but give it a read anyway. On analog DC I've wired most of my layouts to the DPDT standards, so I could operate using the options of Cab A or Cab B. The same principles apply here. The DPDT is "Double Throw Double Pole" with Center Off. Center off keeps it from shorting out. It's not a three way switch. The illustration provided by Steve/fishplate, is correct, as DCC power supply has a Main line power supply and a Track-Programming outlet. Checking with a friend he stated the DCC power supply has an outlet for the Main Line track and one for the Track Programming, affirming said illustration. Edited: This applies to MRC's DCC systems. Wiring an isolated Programming Track: If you wire the DPDT as illustrated by Steve, you can wire up an isolated section of track and make it your programming track. If the wires are connected as per Steve's illustration, when you flip the switch to the right, the track will be powered up by the Main Power supply, when you flip the switch to the left you now have it on the Track-Programming outlet. This allows you to run your locomotive on to the dedicated Programming Track from the main, switch the DPDT and the track becomes your Programming Track. You can then program or address your locomotive. Switch the DPDT back and you can run your locomotive back out onto the main line. This option, will only work with an "Isolated" piece of track. This is the option I would choose. Wiring the main to be both the Main Line and Programming Track: Not to confuse the issue but Steve's illustration will also work in this application, if you wire the DPDT to the main line, this will allow you to switch from the Main Line power supply to the Programming mode... The only problem is, if you have more then one locomotive out on the main you take the risk of programming or addressing both of them. Said, another way: The DPDT will allow you to turn off the Main Power to the main line, to allow you to switch to the Programming option, program or address your locomotive and then switch back to the Main, to continue running. I like for my locomotives to operate individually and I wouldn't want to make the mistake of reprogramming or addressing my other locomotives to the same address. This is not my option of choice. Having both as per your request: You won't find me doing this...but here goes. Now I'm going to go technical on you. You can have both an isolated programming track and still be able to use the main for programming. What you need is two (2) DPDT's wired as per Steve's illustration. One DPDT would be connected to an Isolated piece of track. The other DPDT would be connected to the Main Line or main bus. The danger here is if you accidentally switch both DPDT's to Programming. What locomotives you already have out on the main will more then likely be programmed to the same address, as the one on the Isolated track. This tells you how, gives you a fair warning... and I will allow you to draw your own conclusion. I do not recommend SPST, or single pole single throw as you are switching from one mode to another mode and this isn't common wire or common rail wiring. Go get some DPDT's and rewire. Just to reiterate or affirm, Steve's illustration is correct and this would be the best and proper use of the DPDT. I do agree with Lexon, Read the Manual. Always, read the manual when dealing with DCC. I'd also recommend you go out and pick-up as much literature on the subject as you can afford to do. Read, read, read. I hope this helps. Edited: This turns out not to be the correct solution for Virgule as he only has one outlet on his DCC command module. See Martin's solution.
The manual illustration is for setting up a separate programming track. That is the best way to do it but the OP wanted to have the programming track part of the mainline when not programming. To do that it needs to be connected to the main when the Powercab is not in programming mode. The diagram in the manual will allow only the main or the program track to be connected- not the main and the program track. Martin Myers
Copy that. I tried the manual example. The power is not going through the switch for a reason or another. I have a feeling this is going to be a bumpy ride:tb-tongue:
Rick, common rail is not recommended for DCC, per Digitrax's own instructions. I ought to have mentioned that I use a DB150 which does not have programming outputs. So, I only have the two output terminals. A programming track is not necessary, really, except that for the addressing, Digitrax recommends Paged Mode, which as you know, means any other decoders will get the same messages and act on them. It makes sense to have an isolated section of track right on the layout for us DB150 users, and to lock out power to all but the programming track. This is accomplished easily with the SPST.
COverton wrote: Rick, common rail is not recommended for DCC, per Digitrax's own instructions. ...going on to say... This is accomplished easily with the SPST. End Quote I got that and thank you for affirming the above. I hope you don't mind my putting yours and my quote together here, following each other. Edited: You and I differ on the mode of or type of electrical toggle switch to use here. I'd rather use a DPDT as I feel it is safer to use. Virgule wrote: Copy that. I tried the manual example. The power is not going through the switch for a reason or another. End Quote. Vigule, I'm not sure what you mean by "Manual example". Then you go on to say, "The power is not going through the switch". More then likely it's not wired properly. Try it again and follow Steve's original example. Edited: In the single port application you need to follow Martin's suggestion. Another question comes to mind. Are you using a Momentary On DPDT. If so it will always spring to center off. You will need to hold it open...either to the left or right. Of course this can only confuse matters more for you and make this more frustrating. Worth checking to see if it's so. Hopefully, you have a on, off, on... center off DPDT. Best of luck!
I doubt Steve's original example apply to me. I see it feature a twin output (main and prog.) booster and only one track. What I have is a mono output booster and two tracks. Perhaps Im just confusing things. I am quite sure it's not the right scheme for my need. I got directed to my PowerCab's manual. There is an example there. (see page 12 of this PDF ) There seamed to be no power passing through the switch. I could not control engines and such. Multimeter reporting 0.000 all around the layout. Either miswiring or a dud switch. I'll revisit in a moment. There is three positions: ON, OFF and ON. There is 6 connections on the back. I attached a picture of the actual switch I have on my first post. Front and back view. Here it is again for convenience. Thanks for the help guys. Keep it coming; we'll nail it.
Ok im back. It was miswiring. I got it to power the mainline or the programming track. Im afraid what I want is impossible without another switch altogether. No, wait. Maybe this will work: nah it won't. I bet the power will "spill" over to the other side through that "Y" connection... I'll definitely need a 2nd switch. will I?
Gentlemen, I posted the right way on the first page of this thread. Go back and read the connections carefully. Powercab has only one output. That output is full power when running trains and current limited when programming. The output must connect to both the main line and to the programming track. That means between the Power Panel and those two destinations for its outputs, it needs to be split into two sets of wires. If you place a switch in the track set of wires then the connection to the main line can be broken with the switch when the Powercab is being used to program. Amzingly enough, Digitrax gives a better example and instructions than NCE on this. See page 25 of the Super Empire Builder plus manual for a drawing. http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/superempirextra.pdf
