This time I used the DCS100 Super Chief to program the TF4 which is a four function transponding decoder. May be interesting for those who have the DCS100 instead of a DCS51.
There's been a lot of conversation over the years of programming and utilising Digitrax transponding. For what it is worth I was curious to try and program a new out of the bag TL1 and set up a new address and function control CVs. I have made a short how to video on it here and let me know if any questions or ideas for others too. Hope it helps someone.
The second part of this project focuses more on the electronics and resistors for getting the right light level in the lamps and interior lights plus getting the pick ups installed and electrically connected. In this part I play with a stay alive capacitor by DCC Concepts called a FlickerFree which I will then attach to the output of the Digitrax transponder function only decoder TL1. Once addressed the TL1 function on will turn on the lamps on the van as well as send out transponding signals to
Several folks have asked where the video is so I have cobbled together a suite of snap shots and videos plus time lapse actions on pulling together the primary stages of this modification. Video two covers off the electronics and wiring aspects and number three brings it all together in a finished package. Hope this is useful to someone and please let me know if there are any questions at all.
Something a little bit different from wiring DCC control boards this long weekend here in Perth. Recently obtained two of the latest range of Bachmann 4mm scale LMS brake vans in grey with duckets and brown without duckets. Have decided to fit working lamps and interior lights plus transponding decoders from Digitrax that will broadcast the DCC address of the transponding decoder via Loconet.
Have started by removing wheels, couplings and coupling pockets plus the plastic brake gear fro
A great easy way to snap connect and splice wires together with no soldering or crimping required! I picked up these samples at a trade show and they are great for making under layout connections of wire sizes from AWG 24 to 12.
Hello all, I took a little time to plan out some of the topics I will be covering this year as part of my layout construction and test track builds and have put together a short preview video of some of the Digitrax and DCCConcepts products that I will be using and covering off in my how to videos on YouTube.
So the second bracket signal is underway plus wiring up the first to the Digitrax TSMK plus I made a 10 wire ribbon cable using IDCs which are insulation displacement connectors. I have put a short video together on how the signals and ribbon cable are built that hopefully explains it better than a lot of words!
Well even though we are on a family holiday there is still time to do some modelling and in this case it is the wiring up of the coloured light signals that I have been looking forward too. I have extended the wires of the LEDs so that they will be long enough to penetrate the layout board using Kynar wire soldered to the LED wire ends and covered with heat shrink tubing to prevent shorting. Each LED had its own wire soldered to its respective cathode so I have made one common cathod for the who
Once again not about wiring up the signals but who can resist a bargain at the hardware store when they are out with the lovely wife and can justify it for increased productivity and wiring integrity on their layout?
Now the track is laid in the yard it is on to the main scenic boards for High Tor proper which will be mainly plastic chairs MEK fixed to ply sleepers but I also like the copper clad soldered type track laying too so had a go at some DCC Concepts Legacy range of stainless steel BH rail on their copper clad sleepers that are precursors and etched with solder pads suitable for the size of turnout you are building. This one is a B7. I used my 50 Watt Antex soldering station at full temperature alon
Yes, I pushed on with under layout wiring while the board is tipped up on its side to make access easy and didn't get on with the fiddle parts of wiring up my signal which I must do tomorrow. Anyway, I am using the old Tortoise turnout motor by Circuitron because I have preinvested in them many years ago and had a play with the initial generation of Cobalts back in the day and wasn't happy with their power sensitivity (short video on my bench top comparison of the Cobalt to Tortoise plus how I s
Have been building my own cantilevered Pratt Truss gantry style bracket signals using the ratio kit and some Eckon signal masts. Will be lighting these up in the next day or so once I extend the wires to reach below the board level. I have come up with a test jig that I think you will enjoy...
Divided my 12' x 10' layout into three boards and to make planning and executing the installation of the electronics a bit more managmenble I did up a drawing so I knew what needed to go where. This also helps when actually wiring it up as well as planning purchases too. Used the program called Visio which we have at work for doing flowcharts and the like but PowerPoint is just as effective I've found for this sort of thing. Failing that a pencil and ruler still works too!
This is heavy Gauge 12 AWG or so common or earth wire that is used to assist in establishing a common zero voltage across several Digitrax items. In this particular case I have a BDL168 block detector by Digitrax along with their power manager PM42 all requiring common wiring to the booster and command station via a common wire. I use earthing cable not dissimilar to household wiring cable for this purpose as it bends to shape and stays in shape and will have no problem transmitting current give
Got the yard laid out, ten Peco medium radius I think they are streamline code 75 turnouts 12 foot board by just 12 inches wide giving 6 tracks, most with run arounds to provide some storage and fiddle yard space on the layout. This board will be under one of the main scenic boards. Control is Digitrax DCC with block detection for signalling. Track is pre soldered, every piece with its own droppers, no relieance on track connectors anywhere. All turnouts are modified to live frog with over centr
Was suggested I blog what I am doing in my 12' x 10' Digitrax DCC controlled loft layout called High Tor built to 4mm scale set in the Peak District in 1933-35.
This video is of my first DCC control drawer for the yard.
