spice1977

Does the DR5000 have a sniffer port though as all the resources I have found say not - unless as asked above its the RS-Bus. But yes DCC Concepts said that was the case with any rail sniffer equipped system (via email) and was the only reason I bought the sniffer adapter.

No I can't do that as the input is connected to the alpha encoder. Someone elsewhere did try that and burned out the sniffer adapter doing it. For it to work the DCC Concepts output is connected to the sniffer input of the command station which "sniffs" the signal and sends it to the command bus - in theory. I really like DCC Concepts stuff but its far more complicated than they say! The problem is from what I can tell from various forums the DR5000 doesn't have a built in sniffer port - that's why I bought the booster in the first place as that does have one, but it doesn't work for what I need it to do. I'm not buying an alpha box as I have spent enough on the Digikeijs kit, so I will try the adapter lead method as it converts the signal from NCE protocol to Loconet (I think) and if it works great, if not I will stick with my original idea of keeping the signalling totally separate and manually controlled only - since I already have all the kit and it keeps them electrically isolated as stated above for very good and obvious reasons. If the adapter works then great (as the ultimate goal is computer control and automation) I will do as suggested above and connect the accessory bus to the DR5000 and use the DR5033 to provide track power and program it to stay on if the other shorts out. Its all wired up neatly on a separate panel so its just a case of swapping the two buses around.

From what I can tell you can't connect the DCC Concepts sniffer adapter using an adapter to the DR5000 (or any other system) directly using RJ12 as it is designed to use the sniffer port & the RJ12 port is used to connect to the encoder for the digital signal from the switches. Rereading the DCC Concepts information I see you can either directly connect the encoder using an adapter to several systems - Lenz, Digitrax and Gaugemaster etc OR connect via an alpha box to boost the power. Even DCC Concepts didn't know if it will work as they haven't yet tested a DR5000 - they told me its on their "to do" list. I've been using DCC for years but I am only now getting into using loconet etc so its all new to me. My DCC journey was Hornby Select (too basic) - Hornby e-link (didn't like it) - Signatrak ACE-2 (liked it but no option to connect to computer/JRMI yet) - Digikeijs DR5000. I don't see a sniffer port on the DR5000-ADJ but there is one on the DR5033-ADJ Booster unless its the RS-Bus? I originally thought RS stood for rail sniffer but as I couldnt find any information on it I didnt dare try it! That would be the simplest solution without further purchases. I realise now you can only use one input type - so if its connected to the DR5000 by loconet then the sniffer wont work. If I just connected the DCC Concepts kit to the DR5033 and no DR5000 then it would just boost the power output - which is pointless as the power supply I have for it matches the power output of the DR5033. To clarify what I have right now is: Digikeijs DR5000-ADJ and DR5033-ADJ DCC Concepts Alpha Switch x 2 https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/cobalt-alphaswitch-d-set-to-control-digital-devices-12-blue-switches/ Alpha Encoder https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/cobalt-alpha-main-unit/ Alpha Sniffer https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/alpha-sniffer/ So if I can directly connect the encoder to the DR5000 then I will go with your original suggestion as all I need to buy is an adapter for it. Having looked at the adapters the Lenz one isnt correct (DIN) and neither is the Gaugemaster (RJ45) so I assume the Digitrax would be correct? Since the Digitrax works on loconet which port would I connect to on the DR5000 if the loconet B port is connected to the booster as the only other loconet port is loconet T? https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/cobalt-alpha-digitrax-adapter/

Yes I think you are right thinking about it again. I think what I will do is power the accessory bus just from the DCC Concepts sniffer adapter and use the DR5033 as a booster for the layout. This way I will get my turnout control panel as an independent circuit and forgo the DR5000 controlling but attach other accessories such as lighting via decoders to that for control via the apps. I don't think you can connect the adapter to the sniffer adapter anyway, I believe you need an alpha box for that and that's not in my immediate plans. Since my turnout panels already built it will do for now.

So the layout I am now building is powered by a DR5000 and its all setup and working wonderfully. I decided I wanted to use DCC Concepts Alpha Switch for a control panel (I liked the idea of a physical control panel and already had the kit prior to buying the DR5000 so didn't want it to go to waste) and realised it won't integrate so following their guidelines I purchased the alpha encoder and the sniffer adapter as well as a Digikeijs Booster to provide a separate power bus for the accessories and for the "sniffer" port. Now the DR5000 & Booster works as it should using either Z21, Digitrains Pro or other control software etc, if connected directly to the accessory bus the alpha switch panel works through the DCC Concepts sniffer adapter, but if I connect the output of the adapter to the sniffer input of the Digikeijs booster - nothing. I am using a decent power supply for the DCC Concepts kit as I thought it might have been that but alas no joy. I have tried looking into the settings but its a bit hard when neither Digikeijs or DCC Concepts have any written information on it. I knew you couldn't use alpha box as its the wrong protocols and would require an adapter - DCC Concepts have told me they are looking into this. But I (possibly naively) thought the DCC output of the DCC Concepts Sniffer Adapter would be fine for the sniffer port of the booster. Any suggestions?

Thanks - 3 purchased.

That's is one very impressive yard lamp - where did you get it from? Sorry if you've already said so earlier in the thread!

Yeah I have reset both several times. Occasionally similar symptoms in the past were caused by issues surrounding DC running being enabled - so I always turn that off as a matter of course now. I have reset with both the Signatrak controller and Decoder Pro using a Sprog.

I've personally installed over 60 locos; mixture of ESU, Zimo, Soundtraxx and TTS chips from various suppliers. I've only had two Zimo fail on installation and that was down to errors on my part - both repaired by the supplier and a couple of TTS that have blown. Since then I've started using Kapton tape instead of insulating tape and realised you cannot fully cover TTS as they overheat - so I now cover the circuit board and secure the chip with two thin strips of Kapton. I've had no ESU failures yet - but I prefer Zimo as I find them easier to program (within Decoder Pro anyway) - just my personal preference. When I've had failures before there has usually been some kind of visual sign of it - in these cases there is none. Some on FB have told me it could be down to static, in which case I need to buy an anti static wristband or similar.

I regularly install sound into all my locos and tend to use Zimo primarily. I have had this issue before twice and has always resulted in a repair from the supplier at ,my cost but here goes. I installed a 21pin MX644 into a Dapol 08, all working fine, fully tested and packed away. I then installed a Plux22 with the adapter board to increase amps available to the motors on a Heljan 20 and again all working fine - lights sounds fully running for both. Both then packed away in original boxes. I got them out again today as I decided to sell them as I am never going to have the space for O gauge - not what I would want anyway so went to test them and this (on both) As soon as the loco address is selected the motor rocks back and forth without moving the loco. The lights and sound will not work, and then the controller overloads (Signatrak ACE). On the Dapol its 21 pin and therefore the wiring has not been touched - there are no shorts yet other 21 pin decoders work just fine with it. On the Heljan 20 it is hard wired to the plux adapter - soldered and there are no shorts. The decoders behave the same on the ESU tester rig. I have been searching everywhere to find others who have had this problem and to find out what actually causes it. Both decoders read fully using JMRI. I will be arranging to send them back to get sorted but just find it odd how this can happen to a boxed loco - any suggestions?

They get upto Scarborough every now and again.

Didnt even realise they were already on the website - thanks now preordered 2 NR ones.

Happened with me on a Zimo MX644 (I didnt adjust the volume though) turned out I had overloaded the amplifier and it popped. Sent it back paid £30 replacement fee changed for a different speaker and worked a charm till I sold it.

I have two 68's both with sound. One factory fit sound from Biff and the other self install from John at YouChoos. I agree the factory fit is a poor speaker. I like both projects though but they do sound different.

Network Rail pair for me too definitely!!

I've never had that problem if done carefully. Express Models do the same for the side lights on DMU's such as the 158. They start with a 2mm tower LED and file it square on all sides to fit the rectangular light slot.

Well I bit and bought a Heljan EWS bone. My first ever model train set was Hornby's Midnight Freight so I have always had a soft spot for the 58. Previously had the Heljan Mainline one but sold it and regretted it ever since - so this ones getting Howes sound fitted to it.

Cheapest I have seen the latest gWr HST's. I bought one the other day and delivered the next day - have to say the gloss paint finish is simply stunning! Now normally I would baulk at paying that price for a motor + dummy but even the box shifters are nowhere near as low as this in price. http://www.burevalleymodels.com/p/12460/R3685---Class-43-HST-GWR-Green-Livery

Never had an issue with them, bought plenty of Warley Stock boxes from them.

Been debating about ordering one as currently have an S-Kits one in the process of building. But blown away by the ep etc so that's mine pre-ordered now.

I've ordered from them quite a few times for bits and bobs and never had any issues with them.

I might do. I haven't totally finalised on the set yet but do have the LA15 transfers - just waiting on the correct green paint to arrive as I originally got the wrong shade. Will be tackling a sleeper after this I think. I don't model gWr area really I just love the green livery.

I am upgrading a load of old Limas into gWr LA15 at the moment. I am also using kadees but have fitted NEM pockets and using no17's for this rake to see how it goes.

Well it turns out HMC didn't have that many Class 108's left they have just refunded me for my two saying no stock. That's a shame but never mind - snooze you loose.

Down to 6 just bought 2.