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Thanks Iain. John

Hi, Can anyone confirm if the DR5000 command centre needs to be on with track powered on to enable the DR5013 configuration app commissioning tests to work as per page 31 in the DR5013 manual? Or does this commissioning test only work if S0 and S3 are used as well? I know the USB connection on the DR5000 must be disconnected. All my other modules for block detection, booster etc are also Digikeijs operating on Loconet. With the DR5000 switched off I tried with a laptop powering the DR5013 via USB but the configuration app does not respond with any busy feedback when a loco is placed on each track section. I am using S1, T and S2. The reverse indications in the app respond as expected when the reverse button on the DR5013 is pressed and the feedback page scrolls to the correct address page for the track sections but does not report occupancy. I have checked the wiring of the reverse sections with a meter and the continuity is as per the diagram on page 28 of the user manual including the double gaps between S1 and S2 with the rest of the layout. The common rail bus for the three reversing sections is the same as the common rail bus for the rest of the layout. This does not yet make sense to me but it is what the manual requires. The T section is an access bridge that is hinged so it is effectively double gapped at each end as well. I have turnout mode disabled as this is a straight section. The booster is on a separate rail bus so completely isolated. I am not using railcom. Once I get this working I plan to add S0 and S3. Thanks in advance. John

Hi, Not sure if this is the correct part of the forum to ask but has anyone recently ordered any signals from Online Models? I ordered some two weeks ago and I haven't heard any confirmation and they haven't answered my email sent to their queries address. Are they normally a little slow to deliver? Their web page says they had a recent IT problem now fixed but I am getting concerned. Thanks for any feedback.

OK, Boards reset to manufacturers default. First board had two dead servos and several sticky ones (new). Sticky ones manipulated into life, duff ones replaced. First board now responds to remote aligner and turnouts operate OK. Second board fitted under base board and servos plugged into wrong connector as I was upside down looking up. Servos now plugged into correct connector and board now responds to remote aligner and turnouts operate OK. Not had time to calibrate the third board but I am now confident I can trouble-shoot any issues. Moral of the story is if you get fed up go and have a cup of tea, go back to first principles and test everything! John

Hi James, Bought them last month in UK. One thing I did not try was to reset the boards to original settings. I also have one board still unopened in its packet so I plan to try setting that up on the bench. I e-mailed Tam valley as well but no reply yet, If you get in contact with them let me know how you get on. I will do the same. John

Hi, Does anyone have any experience of setting up the Tam Valley Octopus 3 servo controller. I am using the remote aligner board as per the instructions, the align and momentary jumpers on the octopus 3 are set on the correct pins and the centre jumper is removed after centering. The servos centre as per the instructions so they are receiving a signal and power but when I try to set the servo movement using the auto aligner board the servos do not respond. I have also tried to use the manual setup procedure using the remote aligner with the same result, no servo movement (except when centring). The power light on the octopus 3's and LED's on the remote aligner behave as expected but still no servo movement. The servos are tower pro SG90's. I have tried setup on three different octopus boards with no success. I have tried with a DCC address board attached and with it not attached (Before I bought the boards Tam Valley told me that should make no difference). I have also tried to use the manual setup procedure with the same result, no servo movement (except when they are centred). I have reversed the servo connection plugs and that makes no difference. i have tried with servos connected without extension leads and that make no difference. I can't believe all three octopus boards are faulty and I have double checked I am following the instructions in the correct order. I spent three hours this morning trying to get the boards set up with no success. I am now very fed up. I can only surmise that I am doing something wrong or the remote aligner board and/or its cable are faulty. Any suggestions welcomed. Thanks in anticipation.

Hi, Does anyone have any experience with programming these boards. I have been trying with JMRI in service mode and the boards will just not respond to CV changes giving a time out message as thought the board is not connected to the programming track. I have not got as far as trying to programe in Ops Mode as I can't get past this first step to set up the ops mode and the digitrax configuration. Im using a SPROG II for the programming track and an independent power supply. Any help appreciated.