RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted January 25, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25, 2023 Good morning all, I’m currently constructing another layout (this time I will finish it) and I’m using Cobalt iP digital point motors operated by my ECoS. This works great, as some of you will know you can draw up your track plan and flick the points with a tap on the screen. My question is can you operate the iP digitals using Cobalt S levers and if so how difficult is it to set up? As I think this would add a lot more to the running of the layout. Sorry if this has been Asher before but I couldn’t find anything via the usual searches. Many thanks Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ron Ron Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 (edited) If you wish to retain the ECoS in the loop, for route setting, try wiring the Cobalt S-levers via an Alpha Encoder and then the DCC Concepts "Cobalt Alpha SNIFFER Adapter" (DCD-SNX), into the ECoS sniffer port. Operating the levers will then enable the ECoS to send commands to the point motors in the normal way. . Edited January 25, 2023 by Ron Ron Ron 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigelcliffe Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 As soon as there are levers, then much of the power of using the ECoS for layout track control is lost. A Lever indicates the position of the turnout. The lever cannot be moved by another action elsewhere (eg. another operator on a screen, or throttle). So, introducing levers means there is now a restriction on how flexibly turnouts can be controlled. If wanting to use levers, then the arrangement Ron outlines would work, though it is quite expensive. There are other ways of getting input into an ECoS from levers for turnout control - ESU's own "ECoS Detector Standard" appears to be cheaper per turnout, and there are other options at lower prices (makers include LDT, Digikeijs, and others). Or, depending on the layout and the amount of wiring required, it may be as easy and cheaper, to remove DCC control of the turnouts, and put the levers directly onto each turnout motor. - Nigel 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 (edited) I have 31 levers interfaced to the ECoS using the ECoS detector Standard. Hear a video of a simple set up. It’s all done via ‘routes’ in the ECoS and much better than the DCC Concept Alpha set up. The video was done a while ago so price is wrong. Edited January 25, 2023 by two tone green 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted January 25, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25, 2023 Morning Paul. Have you thought about using the independent switch contacts on the Cobalt Digitals? As you know I have the same set up as you except I use routes on ECoS rather than the track plan. If I have it right the switch contacts will use the power supplied by the DCC bus to create local control and power the motors over completely independently of DCC commands … which would over-ride any local control when fired. The manual Suggests using simple push buttons…. Cobalt digital manual Yet to try it but an element of local control in our fiddle yard might be good… Let me know how it goes! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted January 25, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25, 2023 Thanks everyone, at the moment the ECoS works great and I’m very happy with it, it was more of a question of how the S levers could control iP digitals on there own rather than using the ECoS to change them. I’ll be honest I’m useless at electronics. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 25 minutes ago, PjKing1 said: Thanks everyone, at the moment the ECoS works great and I’m very happy with it, it was more of a question of how the S levers could control iP digitals on there own rather than using the ECoS to change them. I’ll be honest I’m useless at electronics. Paul Yes it can be done using just the S lever using the passing contacts on it and wiring as per the IP digital manual. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 Use terminals 7, 8 & 9 on the point motor and terminals 1, 2, & 3 on the lever. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted January 25, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25, 2023 Thanks two tone, literally just been working my way through the manuals, couldn’t find any before then all of a sudden… Cheers, Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 34 minutes ago, PjKing1 said: Thanks two tone, literally just been working my way through the manuals, couldn’t find any before then all of a sudden… Cheers, Paul Let us know how you get on and do a video of it all working. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted January 25, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25, 2023 2 hours ago, two tone green said: Let us know how you get on and do a video of it all working. Will do, it will be a while off I think as I need to start the track on the second board, it’s all hand built, so the fun things like point levers might have to wait a bit. I’ll be doing videos of ballasting and weathering soon though if that tickles your fancy 😉👍🏼 Thanks again Paul 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted January 25, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 25, 2023 Thanks for asking the question and for the answers. Rails of Sheffield have a good offer on packs of 12 Cobalt levers (which I like) and I have 12 cobalt IP digital point motors ready for my next layout. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveltrains Posted April 20, 2023 Share Posted April 20, 2023 (edited) On 25/01/2023 at 11:21, two tone green said: I have 31 levers interfaced to the ECoS using the ECoS detector Standard. Hear a video of a simple set up. It’s all done via ‘routes’ in the ECoS and much better than the DCC Concept Alpha set up. The video was done a while ago so price is wrong. Great video. Adapted on my layout. Great way to control routes. Edited April 20, 2023 by Traveltrains Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 22 hours ago, Traveltrains said: Great video. Adapted on my layout. Great way to control routes. Pleased you have found it useful and yes it adds another level of realism to the layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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