traction

Good news Geoff, Which controller did you end up buying in the end? Cheers Ian

Yes correct, you can update the Elite, some people have had issues updating them though, and as it seems there is a fault on this one, might just as well get it repaired and updated at the same time. Thats the only reason I mentioned sending it back. I've updated mine using XP, Vista and Windows 7 and never had any problems when I follow the instructions exactly, I have tried to cut corners and its left the Elite dead, but trying again following the instructions has sorted it out. Cheers Ian

Yes, could possibly be the Elite. I have a couple of Selects so easy for me to plug one into another and test, proves them both and the cable. Looks like you will have to Send the Elite in for repair, they will no doubt update it for you. Cheers Ian

Should be fine to do that. You take a cable from the master controller and plug that into one of the sockets on the back of the UTP panel, you can then plug another cable into the other socket on the back of the panel and feed the other end of that cable into another UTP panel. You can then plug in the Selects around the layout as required. Cheers Ian

Sounds like something has gone pop. So the Select won’t even power up correctly when the power supply is plugged directly into it? If so something has gone in the Select, I would send it back to Hornby for repair/upgrade. You could also send the Elite back at the same time so they can upgrade that at the same time and make sure all is working OK The connection cable is OK and not damaged? Cheers Ian

Very odd, although you are getting power to the track, from your gadget. I would be tempted to take the locos to a shop and see if they can reset them. Could also take your EZ- Command to prove everything. I would be surprised if it’s the controller though. Cheers Ian

The Select doesn’t seem to Like connecting for some reason. Can you connect the Select directly to the layout, so put the power supply in the Select(you can use the Elite power supply) when it powers up does it go through the start sequence such as 30 then ??( 10, 12,13,14,15) could be any of these two digits depends on firmware version, mine goes 30-15-03 so hardware version, firmware version then loco address. Try pressing and holding down the red stop button and both direction buttons which should allow the Select to be reset. You might also need to reset the Elite. Once done try connecting the Select back into the Elite as previously. I would seriously send the Select back to Hornby to have the latest firmware installed V1.5 that will allow access to all the function numbers. Also download and install the latest firmware into the Elite as many bugs have been sorted in both controllers! Cheers Ian

Yes, you could do that.....I think. If you get some of the original Hornby Cables, then plug them in to an adapter plate it should work. Its the adapter plate that could be tricky as I've not seen a dedicated one. I do however have a NCE UTP panel which is the same type of Xpressnet connector and can confirm that it does all work. You can use the Hornby connecting cable and plug that into the back of the NCE UTP panel, this will then give two ports at the front to plug the Selects into around your layout. Link to UTP panel. http://www.digitrains.co.uk/ecommerce/search/nce-cab-bus-panel.aspx Link to cables, on ebay and can be cut to size required.:- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-R8266-Style-4-wire-Select-DCC-Controller-Walkabout-Cable-/111167465811 Cheers Ian

Inside the grey outer sheath of the cable there will be two pairs of cables, each pair of cables is twisted together to stop interference. I did try some flat cable with the correct connectors on and it didn't work. So best to use this twisted pair cable and make sure each connector is fitted correctly at each end. Something like this:- https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/webro-9502-belden-equivalent-cable-black-priced-per-metre-a78ra Just double check that twisted pair is enough, might need 3 x twisted pairs so 6 individual cables in all. Cheers Ian

When you plug the Select into the Elite, the Select comes up with HC in the display. Press the SELECT button, it should then show Ad in the display for address, then type in the address number followed by the SELECT button. Cheers Ian

When it flashed HC it means hand controller. You need to type in an address number then press select. I normally use Number 3 then press enter. Cheers Ian

Has to be a twisted pair type of cable or it doesn’t work, correctly. Cheers Ian

Hi Geoff, So it looks like it wont program any loco. Could be the decoders and not the controller, I've always found the EZ-Command to be fairly bullet proof. Is it one of the new ones with the on/off switch on the base of the unit? If you have a multimeter can you connect the small length of track to the EZ-Command track outputs turn it all on and see what the voltage is reading across the rails, meter on AC volts, probe on each rail. On mine I get about 20v AC Its not a true reading but it will show if there is any voltage at all coming out of the EZ-Command. Unfortunately as the EZ-Command is a very simple basic controller you can't even reset the decoder as you need to write a value of 8 to CV 8 (not in all cases though, decoder dependent!) As Nigel has said, it doesn't matter what the loco address is set to, if you follow the instructions to change the address it will change it to the new one. Shown below from the instruction manual:- If you can post back with the voltage reading that would be very useful. Cheers Ian

The 611 is no longer available, it is being replaced by the 612 which will have a large touch screen on it. No news as yet to when it will be available, it will be silver from the web site!. Cheers Ian

Sounds odd, Can you connect a short length of track to the EZ-Command so that this is the only length of track connected, just long enough to hold a loco. Put one loco on this length of track and try to change the loco address again. This is just in case you are trying to reprogram on a full layout where there could be other issues, connecting to a short length of track only means that only one loco on it and nothing else can be causing an issue. The only thing with the EZ-Command is the stupid jack plug it comes with, it makes it awkward to swap from a bit of track to full layout! I cut the metal track connectors off of the end on mine and used some choc block instead. I could swap between a short bit of track or rolling road to the layout as and when required and just leave the jack plug in the back of the EZ-Command Try the above test first, then we can see whats happening. Just a quick thought, you haven't caught the function button by any chance? That would mean pressing any of the number buttons would operate the function for that loco and not change the address. Cheers Ian

My Hornby Select's are used with all different types of Decoder and I don't have any issues with any them, Digitrax, TCS, CT-Elektronic, Hornby (Sapphire only) Lenz and Zimo all work very well. I do have some old Bachmann ones which work but I don't think much to the actual decoder itself. The Slect's I have are all on the latest version of firmware v1.5. It does give out quite a high voltage to the track but nothing like the EZ-Command! I've tamed the Hornby Select by adding a string of diodes in one of the track feeds from controller to track, I have then measured the function output of the decoder (to power the forward or reverse lights) so it was the same voltage output as when I connect up my NCE Powercab. The EZ-Command on the other hand, I had to use a different AC power supply to lower the voltage enough to run N-gauge locos as the power supply it comes with gives about 20v+ on to the track. The main issue I have with these two controllers is not being able to carry out a reset decoder, as neither one can write to the reset CV. The Select is better in that it can operate all decoder functions and can set an acceleration or deceleration rate along with accessory decoder functions, but the EZ-Command is a much more basic pure "loco running only" controller. Cheers Ian

Did you do the Cliffhanger layout? Would love to see more of that, I thought that was such a cracking layout! Also as lots of people have said "how to's" Layout lighting would be a good one, what types of lamps to use; towards the front or back of the layout, a mix of both etc A video on that showing the effects I think would be very useful. Cheers Ian

Ive been told the glasses are being sent out on Monday. Fortunately for me I asked the wife to buy a copy from WHSmiths, the other week......it wasn't out in the shops then! I bought the Digital copy and ordered the glasses, the wife came back with a printed copy yesterday! Lucky BRM. Some of the 3D images work really well, some don't seem to work at all. Good lighting is important to get the effect! The ones that do are really good a far cry from when 3D images first came out. Cheers Ian

The new modern cargo ship is now available. Its a big one! Link to web site:- http://scalescenes.com/product/t030c-modern-cargo-ship/ Cheers Ian

As Wiggy says, have you tired updating the decoder firmware and then loading the new sound file? Did you make a back up of the original sound file to see if that will load back on. Whats the difference between a SELECT decoder and standard decoder, could this be causing an issue? Cheers Ian EDIT you posted as I posted. I would of thought by reinstalling the firmware it would blank the decoder for you to load the sound file on. Have you tried updating the firmware and then reloading the sound file from the ESU web site?

Hi Don, Remember the power supply for the sniffer adapter! I couldn’t find any details of the connector size. Most places would do a small cheap 1amp power supply probably even one of those multi voltage ones with the different size adapters to power it up would work. I’m sure Argos or Maplin would have something if you’re going into Lincoln to Digitrains, if you ask Jeremy he may even have something that would work. I don’t live too far away from Lincoln so Digitrains is my local shop! Just had a thought you might be able to connect the sniffer up in the shop if Jeremy has time as they now stock and sell the ACE controller. Theyhave the ACE controller on the Demo layout, I was having a play the other week. That didn’t have the latest version of software in it though, I think it’s one of the prototype units. Should prove everything at least. Cheers Ian

Hi Don, I agree typing in accessory addresses can cause confusion. So if your not bothered about controlling accessories from the DCC controller then creating a completely independent accessory bus is the easiest and quickest way to go. And to be honest it’s no bad thing as you can still control the accessories even if the controller has a short circuit as it’s completely independent. Cheers Ian

The cheapest and easiest way to use the Alpha Central unit is to add the DCC concepts sniffer adapter. You wouldn't be able to control the points from the ACE as you are creating a completely independent accessory bus. The Alpha Central plugs into the Sniffer adapter. A small power supply is also plugged into the sniffer adapter 15-21v DC at 1amp. This powers the sniffer and all accessories on the accessory bus. Then two wires come out of the sniffer and these two wires are your new accessory bus, your NCE switch 8's are connected to this bus and not the track output of the ACE. Your points are then all controlled by the Alpha Central panel. If you still want to control everything by both the ACE controller and the Alpha central you will then need to buy the Alpha box which the track feeds from the ACE will go into. It also has the port which the Alpha Central plugs into. To power the Alpha box you will need either the Alpha Power supply or any regulated 15-21v DC 5amp power supply. A link to the Alpha range of items required. https://www.dccconcepts.com/manual/cobalt-alpha-range-booklet/ Hope this helps Cheers Ian

Some of the road scene has been done, more just so I could see how it was going to turn out. The Belisha beacons work really well, better than I had hoped for and finding those street lights was a bonus as they look really good. I will probably connect these up to the DCC concepts lighting PCB which has an adjustable output so will give a better light level so as not to be too harsh. Started on the shop Facades, and shop fronts, need to add lights to the shops as well. Getting there, but as usual other commitments get in the way, plus an exhibition to go to! Cheers Ian

Great use of the Scalescenes mill! For those that have questioned the height. It really is fantastic, can't wait to see it with that canal bridge finished! Cheers Ian