Hi, I am in the process of collecting information so I can order Unitracks materials for my new layout. I have about 13 Unitracks turnouts and of course I do not need a switch for each one of them, but for the one that I do need a switch for I have these questions: 1. Should I order Unitracks turnout control switch? 2. Should I order Digitrax Ds64 or Digitrax Ds65 "Discontinued?" 3. What is the difference between Digitrax Ds64 and Ds65? I wonder why Ds65 was discontinued. 4. Do I need other things to control the turnouts? Thanks. Mo PS: There is a Unitracks forum here, but I do not see any icon to post a new topic there. There is just an icon to post a reply!
The "Post New Discussion" link is at the bottom left of the listed duscussions in the groups...for future reference of course. I am sure the Uniutrackers will answer here also...its all good. ;-) .
Mo, The Kato turnout switch is if you want to operate the turnouts outside the DCC environment; while using the Digitrax items will let you control the turnouts from your throttles (or computer / elsewhere). I've put my turnouts onto DCC control. You can use the DS51K1, which controls a single turnout (very quick / easy); the DS52, which can control 2, or the DS64 which can control 4. The 51 and 52 are very basic switches - they throw/close the turnout when commanded to. The 64 gives one a lot more options, including routes, block/signal control, etc.
If you're going to use DCC, the Digitrax DS51K1 is the stationary decoder you need to control a single Unitrack turnout. This stationary decoder will also control the Unitrack double crossover.
This is very interesting. Does the switch get it's signal through the track? If so can I use DC locomotives on the same track? I am not prepared at this time to upgrade my locos to DCC. Maybe some day on some of my lines. What I'm driving at is if I could use DCC to control my remote turnouts that would save a mess of wiring.
The 51 and 52 get their power and signals from the track. The DS64 can be powered independently, and get the commands either via LocoNet or the track (DCC command). But, not sure you want to change your track from DC to DCC just for turnout control, if the locos aren't going that way. Conceptually, you could run a parallel set of bus wires, just for the DCC, and run your turnouts using the DS51 directly off this common DCC bus.
You need a DCC command station to control the turnouts that run on DCC.The stationary decoders still have to be wired to the turnout and then to the common bus lines.
That would become too confusing. You either run DC or DCC. To switch back and forth between the two creates issues down the line....
Moshken uses a Digitrax Zephyr system - so there should be no problem using the stationary DCC Decoder for the Switches - and he would not be switching from DC to DCC.
Jim: I wasn't referring to Moshken. I was referring to Grey One who runs DC and wants to use stationary decoders to run his turnouts. Look at the three three or four posts starting with Grey One. Originally Posted by Grey One This is very interesting. Does the switch get it's signal through the track? If so can I use DC locomotives on the same track? I am not prepared at this time to upgrade my locos to DCC. Maybe some day on some of my lines. What I'm driving at is if I could use DCC to control my remote turnouts that would save a mess of wiring. Originally Posted by RBrodinsky: The 51 and 52 get their power and signals from the track. The DS64 can be powered independently, and get the commands either via LocoNet or the track (DCC command). But, not sure you want to change your track from DC to DCC just for turnout control, if the locos aren't going that way. Conceptually, you could run a parallel set of bus wires, just for the DCC, and run your turnouts using the DS51 directly off this common DCC bus.
I use NEC Switch Kats with a Digitrax Zephyr on my Unitrak Japanese layout. They also allow local push button control and indicator lights.
What would be confusing about it? You control the train with the DC throttle and the turnouts with the DCC system. You don't even have to use a DCC throttle for the turnouts, you can still build a control panel just like you would with DC and the operation of the layout would be no different than it would be with DC. For someone who wants to stay with DC, I think using DCC for turnout control is a great way to reduce layout wiring on layouts that have turnout control grouped in control panels. For example, a layout with one centrally located conventional control panel would need to have a common wire that goes to every remotely controlled turnout and at least one additional wire for each turnout(or group of turnouts operated together, such as a crossover) running from the control panel to the turnout. Using DCC, all you need are two wires running from the command station around the layout, daisy changed from turnout to turnout; although, if you use Digitrax, you may also want to have Loconet running around the layout(I'll explain why in a minute). If your turnout controls are all placed right next to each turnout, then it would not save you any wiring and would in fact increase it; however, it would give you the option of easily adding turnout control in multiple locations if you so desired. Although any DCC system that can control accessory decoders could be used, I think a Digitrax Zephyr, because of it's form factor, would be ideal for this. If you don't want a control panel, the Zephyr and the accessory decoders are all you would need. Even if you do plan on having a control panel, it might be a good idea to start without one if you think you might modify the track plan during construction. You would have complete control of your turnouts during construction, and once the track plan was finalized, you could build the control panel without having to modify it with each change. There are several input devices for Loconet that you could use for the control panel, and the only wiring required between the control panel and the command station would be the 6 wire Loconet cable(think about how much easier wiring up the control panel could be - you could do the whole thing sitting at a workbench, and when you are done carry it over to the layout and plug in the 6 wire cable. You could even test it while at the workbench if you extend the Loconet to it). As far as running Loconet around the layout: If you want to be able to control turnouts locally as well as from a central control panel, the DS64 has inputs for that, but if you have indicators on the control panel, you would need Loconet to keep them synchronized with the turnouts. The Zephyr does not have built in routes, so if you want to do routes you either have to use an input device that has them or use DS64's. The DS64 does not have to be connected to Loconet to do routes, but if a route spans more than one DS64, then they do have to be connected to Loconet. You could even add a computer(for turnout control or signal logic), block detection(of course they would have to be DC compatible block detectors) and signaling all through the DCC system, and still use DC to actually run the trains. The funny thing is, this is the opposite of what many DCC users do. Many(especially of the ones who already have their layout wired and convert to DCC) use DCC for train control, but conventional turnout control.
As far as the Digitrax DS51K1 goes, I tend to prefer other decoders because others are more cost efficient or have inputs for local control (or are both); however, there is one really neat thing about the DS51K1,especially for people who like to change their layout around. The DS51K1 can fit inside the roadbed of a Kato #6 turnout(I haven't tried one in a #4).
Whole Hawg I'm building (s-l-o-w-l-y) the Woodland Scenics Scenic Ridge layout kit in N-scale, and decided early on to go DCC all the way, along with Unitrack. It's probably the smartest thing I've ever done in Model Railroading! I used one DS64 to control the 3 turnouts, and put an RF/IR receiver in the top of the mountain for future wireless control, and I'm using a Zephyr (for now) as the main control panel. And all is well, except when I try to run multiple trains and they're pulling through the station at the same time and my fingers get tired, dancing on the buttons! WHOOF! But DCC IS the wave of the future.
