The revision video explains so much. You may want to look at the NCE switch8 MK2 it monitors the position of the switch automatically... when my track power comes on JMRI knows the position.
Okay so I understand the wiring and process for block detection and I understand the wiring and using the resistor for a active turnout position to be displayed in JMRI but how would JMRI or the BDL168 get a signal to tell them if the turnout is closed or is the lack of a signal enough to know that the turnout is closed?
Hi, Great video, can you please give me some advice for feedback occupancy of point work? I have followed the instructions for wiring the feedback modules(track occupancy= one rail sections with plastic rail joiners) for “SIMPLE" straight track but the instructions do not mention feedback wiring for points/turnouts and cross overs and double slips? I understand each block has a min of three contacts(sections) being start, travel and slow to stop at the signal.....so that is easy to follow re plastic rail joiners and wiring. However very often there is a multitude of points, cross overs and double slips coming out of the station? I am not able to understand where the plastic rail joiners go…… I have not been able to see any examples of DCC blocks with points/turnouts or crossovers or double slips??? Do I isolate each point and crossover and double slip? If so I suspect the points would have a plastic rail joiner on three positions for insulfrog and five positions on electrfrog points to totally make the point in a block in its own right, i.e. give the point its own power droppers? Any advice would be appreciated. regards Scott
I'm not sure what "instructions" you are following. In my opinion, blocks should be defined based on operational considerations. A stretch of track between two turnouts would be one block, unless it could contain two normal train lengths, in which case it could be split into two blocks. In my opinion and on the layouts that I have wired, each turnout (including double slips and any fixed diamond crossovers) should be a unique block which require it's own feeder and block detection circuit. This provides the most flexible situation for future use of "routes" and automatic train operation, since each turnout is part of two separate routes. The only other possible arrangement would be to include the turnout into the straight block approaching the throat of the turnout. However, I really believe that turnouts should be in a block of their own. As for the use of plastic rail joiners: I avoid them! I prefer to use a Dremel tool to cut a gap in the non-common rail at the point I want to create the block division. The track needs to be firmly mounted on both sides of this cut. This process allows a much more flexible placing of block divisions than allowed with plastic joiners at the physical track junctions. For example, I may not place a signal right where the physical track is joined and I like to cut the block division at the point of mounting the signal mast. As for having several turnouts placed together at the entrance to a station, it might be best to include two or more turnouts into a single block. That is best determined by the operational needs. As for a crossover between two mainlines (two turnouts connected with the diverting routes connected) I believe these need to be split into two separate blocks, with either a plastic insulator or a gap cut, between the two turnouts. This is because that if one turnout is blocked by a train sitting across its mainline, the other turnout doesn't show up as blocked, even though there is no train going through the crossover. I hope this explanation is clear enough to help you with your layout.
I am not where I can check, but maybe 1/2 watt? An electronics engineer friend of mine, also a model railroader, suggested them. They seem to work fine with no adverse effects.
We tried the BXPA1 but had some problems. It wasn’t reporting occupancy properly and was slow to switch the polarity. It may have just been the one unit, but we decided to go a different way.
@@jimworcester981 Well thats not good to hear! lol. I guess I still have the AR-1. Which way did you go if you dont mind me asking. I'm having some confusion on wiring my layout with these new products. Also already had two Digitrax DCS 210 command stations fail.
@@RenegadeModelRailroader bought 2 more AR-1s! 😁. The problem is that using those you dedicate 4 spots on the BDL168 to the reverse loop, even if you only have one block to be detected. I have had to return some devices because they didn’t work right. I use the DCS240 on both the club and my home layout and haven’t had any problems.
@@jimworcester981 Yea I hear the 240 is way more reliable. I WAS trying to set it up for auto control. Now If I was using ds74 for tortoise switch control. Along with the dcs 210. Loco net would work for routing the switches on JMRI/Train controller correct ? I'm seeing the header pins and am wondering what they are ALL used for. Specifically the +5 volt reference and 0 volt reference. I know other pins go to a BD4N which doesnt have loconet. Any thoughts that might help ?
@@RenegadeModelRailroader I haven’t used the DS74. We have a DS64 at the club in the cabinet, but I haven’t had occasion to hook it up. Not sure but I THINK the DS74 works much like the SE74 with regard to controlling Tortoises. You might take a look at my video on using the SE74 for turnout control. We use the SE74 because we can also control the signals. The +5 is used to make the SE74 change the polarity going to the tortoise, thus making the motor change positions. Let me know how you make out!
This is excellent! Very clear and easy to follow.
Thanks. I suspect you’ve already figured all that out though! 😁
The revision video explains so much. You may want to look at the NCE switch8 MK2 it monitors the position of the switch automatically... when my track power comes on JMRI knows the position.
Okay so I understand the wiring and process for block detection and I understand the wiring and using the resistor for a active turnout position to be displayed in JMRI but how would JMRI or the BDL168 get a signal to tell them if the turnout is closed or is the lack of a signal enough to know that the turnout is closed?
Hi, Great video, can you please give me some advice for feedback occupancy of point work?
I have followed the instructions for wiring the feedback modules(track occupancy= one rail sections with plastic rail joiners) for “SIMPLE" straight track but the instructions do not mention feedback wiring for points/turnouts and cross overs and double slips?
I understand each block has a min of three contacts(sections) being start, travel and slow to stop at the signal.....so that is easy to follow re plastic rail joiners and wiring.
However very often there is a multitude of points, cross overs and double slips coming out of the station? I am not able to understand where the plastic rail joiners go……
I have not been able to see any examples of DCC blocks with points/turnouts or crossovers or double slips???
Do I isolate each point and crossover and double slip? If so I suspect the points would have a plastic rail joiner on three positions for insulfrog and five positions on electrfrog points to totally make the point in a block in its own right, i.e. give the point its own power droppers?
Any advice would be appreciated.
regards
Scott
I'm not sure what "instructions" you are following. In my opinion, blocks should be defined based on operational considerations.
A stretch of track between two turnouts would be one block, unless it could contain two normal train lengths, in which case it could be split into two blocks. In my opinion and on the layouts that I have wired, each turnout (including double slips and any fixed diamond crossovers) should be a unique block which require it's own feeder and block detection circuit. This provides the most flexible situation for future use of "routes" and automatic train operation, since each turnout is part of two separate routes.
The only other possible arrangement would be to include the turnout into the straight block approaching the throat of the turnout. However, I really believe that turnouts should be in a block of their own.
As for the use of plastic rail joiners: I avoid them! I prefer to use a Dremel tool to cut a gap in the non-common rail at the point I want to create the block division. The track needs to be firmly mounted on both sides of this cut. This process allows a much more flexible placing of block divisions than allowed with plastic joiners at the physical track junctions. For example, I may not place a signal right where the physical track is joined and I like to cut the block division at the point of mounting the signal mast.
As for having several turnouts placed together at the entrance to a station, it might be best to include two or more turnouts into a single block. That is best determined by the operational needs.
As for a crossover between two mainlines (two turnouts connected with the diverting routes connected) I believe these need to be split into two separate blocks, with either a plastic insulator or a gap cut, between the two turnouts. This is because that if one turnout is blocked by a train sitting across its mainline, the other turnout doesn't show up as blocked, even though there is no train going through the crossover.
I hope this explanation is clear enough to help you with your layout.
Really informative but I wonder what wattage the 15k ohm resistors are?
I am not where I can check, but maybe 1/2 watt? An electronics engineer friend of mine, also a model railroader, suggested them. They seem to work fine with no adverse effects.
Have you ever used a Digitrax BXPA1 or BXP88 ?
We tried the BXPA1 but had some problems. It wasn’t reporting occupancy properly and was slow to switch the polarity. It may have just been the one unit, but we decided to go a different way.
@@jimworcester981 Well thats not good to hear! lol. I guess I still have the AR-1. Which way did you go if you dont mind me asking. I'm having some confusion on wiring my layout with these new products. Also already had two Digitrax DCS 210 command stations fail.
@@RenegadeModelRailroader bought 2 more AR-1s! 😁. The problem is that using those you dedicate 4 spots on the BDL168 to the reverse loop, even if you only have one block to be detected. I have had to return some devices because they didn’t work right. I use the DCS240 on both the club and my home layout and haven’t had any problems.
@@jimworcester981 Yea I hear the 240 is way more reliable. I WAS trying to set it up for auto control. Now If I was using ds74 for tortoise switch control. Along with the dcs 210. Loco net would work for routing the switches on JMRI/Train controller correct ? I'm seeing the header pins and am wondering what they are ALL used for. Specifically the +5 volt reference and 0 volt reference. I know other pins go to a BD4N which doesnt have loconet. Any thoughts that might help ?
@@RenegadeModelRailroader I haven’t used the DS74. We have a DS64 at the club in the cabinet, but I haven’t had occasion to hook it up. Not sure but I THINK the DS74 works much like the SE74 with regard to controlling Tortoises. You might take a look at my video on using the SE74 for turnout control. We use the SE74 because we can also control the signals. The +5 is used to make the SE74 change the polarity going to the tortoise, thus making the motor change positions. Let me know how you make out!