Operating Kato Unitrack points via DCC

[Philately]

A few months ago I abandoned all pretence at being a railway modeller and decided that what I wanted was something to play trains on.  N gauge is my chosen size so I bought some Kato Unitrack track packs.  As a medium to enable one to set up a layout easily it is brilliant, if a bit limited in pointwork. Things like single slips are alien to it, though it does an absolutely brilliant scissors crossover.  

 

At the moment I am using the Kato controller as a power unit for the Kato 2-wire solenoid point switches that came in the track packs I bought.  Motive power is controlled via a Z21 and an iPad, which is likewise very user-friendly, but unsuitable for powering the points without an adapter.  You may well ask why bother, seeing that Kato wiring is so easy to use, with plugs and sockets pre-fitted, and extender cables readily available; the answer is I'm aiming for computer control, and in any case want to integrate signals so that when visitors come, one can act as signalman.

 

Foolishly I bought an 8-way decoder for stall motors, thinking that Kato N Gauge points worked this way - they emphatically don't!  I'm now advised that I need a DCC Concepts 8-way accessory decoder with adapters for 2-wire point control.  Does anyone know of any other DCC alternative I could use?  Just to allow choice.

 

Richard

[Nigelcliffe]

Digitrax make an accessory decoder specifically for the Kato turnout motors. 

 

Given how the Kato works, many accessory decoder for solenoid motors will work *if" wired appropriately.  The Kato is a single coil and "directional" in how it works, whereas most solenoid motors have two coils, one for each direction.  

 

 

- Nigel

[newbryford]

 

 

Foolishly I bought an 8-way decoder for stall motors, thinking that Kato N Gauge points worked this way - they emphatically don't!  I'm now advised that I need a DCC Concepts 8-way accessory decoder with adapters for 2-wire point control.  Does anyone know of any other DCC alternative I could use?  Just to allow choice.

 

Richard

 

There is also a 2 way decoder available from DCC Concepts, The ADS-2SX, as well as the above mentioned 8 channel ADS-8SX 

.

Used with the DCD-SDC 3 wire to 2-wire connectors. (I know these can be made from simple components but some folks like to "plug n play")

Edited August 28, 2018 by newbryford

[DaveyH]

Digitrax make an accessory decoder specifically for the Kato turnout motors.

- Nigel

Nigel is correct. I used a Digitrax DS64 to Power Kato Unitrack point motors.

 

Quite an expensive solution as the DS64 only has four outputs. I think up to four Unitrack point motors can be powered by each output though - assuming any route setting allows that kind of set up.

 

Davey

Edited August 28, 2018 by DaveyH

[Nigelcliffe]

Nigel is correct. I used a Digitrax DS64 to Power Kato Unitrack point motors.

 

Quite an expensive solution as the DS64 only has four outputs. I think up to four Unitrack point motors can be powered by each output though - assuming any route setting allows that kind of set up.

 

Davey

 

 

I was thinking of the little DS51K1, which is about £12, and works a single turnout, and designed as a product for Kato.   

Still a little on the expensive side, about the same price per turnout as a DS64. 

[AlexFord]

I've used Lenz LS150 point decoders with Kato unitrack points and Roco Multimaus/SPROG/NCE PowerCab, the trick is to use diodes on the - and + terminals for each of the accessory outputs. For a better explanation see these YouTube videos (which are where I got the idea):

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g5YjTPqou4

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3k0S4ENIkA

 

I don't know if this is a particularly economical solution - I bought the LS150s over a decade ago for around £30each and they seem to be closer to £60 now. Also to keep the plug and play convenience I decided to try and retain the existing Kato wiring. Then found that 3rd party Tamiya connectors from ebay aren't necessary compatible with Kato's Tamiya connectors so I gave up making my own extension leads and cannibalised Kato 24-841 Point Extension Cables.

 

Anyway, it is another choice 

 

Alex

 

 

 

 

[TWG]

A&H Models have an instructional video showing the Z21 and use of a LS150 with a Kato point.  LDT Littfinski does a 4 output decoder designed for  Kato and similar point motors (LDT 1-DEC-DC).