Add A Dedicated Programming Track (290)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มิ.ย. 2024
- I get tons of questions about how to set up a programming track so hopefully this video will answer all your questions.
Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:15 Combined vs dual output systems
3:24 Programming track options
4:40 Dedicated programming track
5:55 Wiring a DPDT switch
7:00 Wiring a dual output system
12:00 Wiring a combined output system
14:45 Using the NCE AutoSW
17:36 Wrap up - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Basically, paying a little bit extra for added capability far outweighs the risks involved in using less expensive options. However, I would personally have a separate programming track on the workbench, either way, just in case of an accident. Personally, I would include a rerailer section in the middle of the track - making the track a little more than twice the length of my longest locomotive - and install a track-mounted Kadee coupler height guage at either end; that way, I can also use the programming track to double-check my locomotives' couplers on both ends, and be able to get the locomotives aligned on the programming track with minimal effort. Also, having a separate workbench programming track would, I'm sure, make pre-programming locomotives before entering them into service on the layout a bit less of a hassle, especially when putting multiple locomotives into service at once. I could unbox each locomotive and pre-program it in turn, then place the locomotives onto a small rolling cart to take to staging (or anywhere else on the layout, for that matter). That way, I could keep the empty packaging from cluttering up the layout room and not have to make multiple trips between the workshop and the layout room. This is assuming, of course, that I would ever have an occasion where I would be unboxing and pre-programming multiple brand-new locomotives (or, more likely, sound-equipped passenger cars) at once, but not being a firm believer in superdetailing and fully weathering railroad equipment, it's more likely than not.
One thing to remember with the "drive on - drive off" programming track, is that locomotives "creep" when being programmed. One reason that I use a completely separate track with bumpers at each end. I suppose you could drill a couple of holes to accept dowels in between the rails to block the engine from walking out of the programming area.
The DPDT switch would work for the programming track in your second example. Just hook the green wires to the programming section AND the rest of the layout. Since it has a center OFF position, there is no chance of connecting track power to the programming pins on accident - much simpler than adding a separate On/OFF switch to cut the track power.
I have the NCE Powercab system and I also purchased the programming track module as I intended using a siding track to do my programming. My problems arrived when the weather turned unfriendly by raining so I had to come up with a different setup for programming etc. Using information supplied by the gentleman at Strathpeffer Junction, who happens to be a genius at developing all sorts of items to make life easier when running older type stock plus he designed a module with a rolling road, programming track and also an interface for using decoder-pro on your computer, this has proved extremely helpful for me.
I have not discounted having a programming track which could use one of the outlet tracks from my turntable, some minor wiring changes will be needed but that is part of the fun of model railways, they are always evolving. A great video Larry, keep up the good work. From Peter in the UK.
I use a toggle to switch my programming track between the PowerPro that runs my layout and a PCP panel. I throw the toggle to the layout (PowerPro) power to run the loco in and out of the program track. Then I disconnect my throttle (I use PowerCabs for my throttles) from the layout cab bus and plug into the PCP which is always set up with its P114 power supply and throw the toggle to the PCP. I can then program using either Program Track Mode or Program on the Main without affecting the rest of the layout and take advantage of the PowerCabs ability to program most decoders including many sound decoders without the need of a programming booster.
Edit: Forgot to mention the isolation track relay I installed. At the entrance to my program track is an isolation block. This block is powered from the layout’s PowerPro system, however if I plug in a PowerCab to the PCP the PowerCab power energizes a Normally Open relay which disconnects the power to the isolation block. This prevents locomotives from bridging from one powered system to the other. When I am done using the program track I flip the toggle to give the layout system control of the program track or when I disconnect the PowerCab from the PCP the PowerCab, the N O relay is de-energized and power from the layout to the isolation block is restored.
I'm using the NCE PowerCab and only one DPDT switch. I use a dead end siding on my layout as my programming track. It has two nylon rail joiners that isolates it from the layout. I can have power to both my layout AND my programming siding using the switch. I then throw the switch the other way and the layout has NO POWER but the programming siding still does. After I do my loco programming, I flick the switch the other way and I can now drive my loco out of the siding. This is simple and easy. If I had a way of uploading my wiring diagram I would. You will be amazed at how easy it is to wire. I will also soon be adding a bi-color LED as a good visual indicator (Green for everything powered and Red for only programming siding powered).
Your videos are very helpful as I get more into dcc, thanks 😊👍!
I use a NCE Power Pro R system which has b the 2 outputs as you're showing for the first Digitrax unit. Isolating a section of programming track would work just as you are showing using a DPDT switch. Also, the Power Pro system has a built-in "Programming on the Main" feature which lets me program locomotives one-at-a-time without having a dedicated Programming Track ..... quite convenient and has worked flawlessly for each of the locomotives in my fleet without any "cross-over" programming.
Still, a great video with practical application!! THX!! 👍👍👍
Great Video Larry as usual . Your info provided is always useful 👍
Excellent video Larry, thank you. This information will be a big help to me.
Nice vid. You did a particularly good job of setting forth the considerations and methods of programming tracks. All I would add for a layout programming track manually switched is to consider mounting the DPDT C/O toggle so that it throws vertically. The up position is layout power as up is always on, center is off, and down is programming.
I had a similar setup with my DCS100 with the programming track attached to the layout by a turnout. The programming track was cut to fit my longest loco. After I had the new decoder installed I backed the new loco onto the programming track and flipped a DPDT slide switch. Also a RED LED was attached so you knew you were ready to program the new decoder. When the switch was flipped the other way the RED LED went out, and the Rail A and RAIL B would then drive the loco out onto the mainline. The LED is needed so others would know they were in programming mode. If they see a RED LED on then they can only program on the programming track. Once off they are back to normal running.
I made one of these a few years ago and its really good having a completely separate programming track. I'm looking forward to Warley tomorrow and maybe I'll bump into you.
Thanks, Larry. Very useful video.
For anyone curious, the Digitrax Zephyr (DCS 52) has both programming and rail outputs. It cannot program indexed CVs by itself, but if you hook it up to a PC running JMRI you can use JMRI to program indexed CVs. Or just get Blunami decoders and you never have to worry about programming tracks again. Assuming you have an iPhone...
Your rigth that NCE auto SW works very well,had one for long times connecte to a spur for my programming its not very expensive
I have small bench 3' x 4' wide. I have my test track running across the bench but it's hinged. I drop it when needed, programming, checking cars coupler height. My feed goes through a rotary SW. #1 is DC , #2 is blank ,#3 is programming,#4 is blank, #5 is main line track voltage. So I can program , switch to main and test what changes I made. No moving engine.
Yes you need the center across the bench clear so you can drop 1"x2" track bridge to come down but this helps to keep bench half organized.
Thanks for the info Mr Puckett
Excellent info.
Great tutorial!
Very much a needed thing on a layout with any signifiacnt number of locos of DCC accessories. I am very lucky in that my DigiKeijs DR5000 has a built-in seperate output for a programming track.
Instead of a DPDT switch if you use a 4 pole switch it's possible to create an isolated track section at each end of the programming track. This will help to avoid a short circuit if the loco should accidentally move during programmng, or any moving loco accidentally shorting to the progtamming track.
Thank you for sharing.👍👀
Thanks for a very helpful video Larry. I have one of the auto switches on stock order as they seem hard to come by here in the UK.
very helpful , thanks...
Another detailed and informative video, this was very helpful. I'm also looking for some advice on which Digitrax unit to purchase, there's a few options that they offer, but looking for some advice that breaks down the pros and cons of a 210 and a 240 and what throttle to use if you don't want to upgrade as you go. It seems like the 210 would be just fine, but I noticed from one of your videos that you also have a 240. I appreciate any help you can provide, thanks for all the information, looking forward to more!
What do you think about the DR5000 that has drive on/off. Which I understand does not comply with the DCC specification, but I find it extremely handy.
I find my Digikeijs DR5000 very helpful in that respect also. Never failed me yet.
Unless I'm missing something, there's an easier way to make a drive-on programming track for the NCE Style. (I've this evening programmed my first ever loco having bought the power-cab starter kit recently), and that got me thinking and looking at things...
I'm thinking that if you had your isolated section permanently connected to the controller output, and a Double pole Single Throw between the output and the main track bus, you can drive on to the isolated section, then switch off the rest of the track. Do your programming, then switch the main track-bus back on again. Any reason that wouldn't work?
I'm planning on using a section of track which is a side platform, which I have laid with isolating fish-plates at both ends for my programming track.
Any thoughts would be welcome, as I've literally only been using DCC for 2 weeks!
My idea is putting it in a roundhouse where you would have the engine stay stationary while it's worked on
Thanks. Have a good trip to Warley. If you get the chance to have a nose at the modulus system on the scale model scenery stand, very interested in your thoughts, and perhaps a review.
Can you do a video for the North America audience on the train show? 😊
Will do.
I am loving this playlist! I have a DC Kato Unitrack starter set and I got a Zephyr Express with DCS52 for Christmas from my kids; this is going to be fun!!! 🚂😊 Thanks for all your knowledge that you are sharing, I just wish the playlist would play from the oldest first.
With regard to programming a new engine, would it be possible to just take a 2nd locomotive with one or more pieces of rolling stock attached, back the engine in and grab the newly programmed locomotive and pull it out?
Yes, TH-cam should add the ability to choose the order in which a playlist displays and plays, but so far I can’t find it if they do.
@@TheDCCGuy I did find a way, but it has to be done by the channel. It looks like more work for you, and I'd rather just flip through / or cherry pick the ones I want to view and let you work on the episodes. Plus, when I'm not quite get something, I'll re-watch the video several times. Yes, I am often quite dense. Thanks for all your work. May you have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Hi Larry,
Very interesting video setting up a programing track, when using the NCE Auto SW unit I have a couple of sidding tracks that could be used to program om, the questin is do I still need to put an isolatoon gap in the rails so that part of track that will be used to program locos will be isolated. But the track the will then used will still be powed from the DCC BIS. Or will it have to be removed.
Thankyou
Brian.
Yes, you still need to,isolate the programming track or your other locos will also be reprogrammed.
I'm a little confused by the wiring colors. The yellow would be your Main Bus (normally Black and Red). But then the Green and Red sides should also be Red and Black Main Bus leads, correct? I'm assuming you used the colors you did to simplify what you were showing.
Yes, with this kind of setup the wire colors don’t matter except to satisfy whatever color combinations you decide to use on your layout. As you said I used them to visually differentiate between the different connections.
Probably too late to ask this question, but here it is. Why not just have power to the programming track all the time and turn the rest of the layout off when programming and back on when done and want to drive to loco back on to the rest of the layout?
I think it depends on the type of system you have and whether or not it has both mainline and programming outputs. If it has the single/combined output then your method should be fine, just make sure to throw that switch when programming. Because folks tend to forget things like switches the Auto-SW is a good alternative the automatically isolates the programming track.
Thank you for such a quick reply!! I have Digitrax and it only has power out, no programming out at the command station. Yes, remembering to flip the switch is critical. thanks again, Cal@@TheDCCGuy
Larry, I have an NCE Power Pro System which is 5 AMP's On the unit it has two wire output labeled Program Track, in my Yard I have a turnout and on the diverging track is where my program track is. Both rails on the diverging sidetrack and has insulated joiners with this system I do not need to DPDT switch or the NCE Program Track Device. am I correct? Happy Thanksgiving
The setup you have is fine as the programming track is isolated. However if I understand your setup you cannot run a loco onto or off the programming track since it only has the programming connections. By using the DPDT switch approach you could set the switch to provide track power to the programming track, drive a loco onto it, then throw the switch to programming , change you CVs, then throw the switch and drive off again.
Mrc prodigy elite comes preset at 5 amps. But can be dailed up to 10 amps. I currently have mine still set at the 5
Funnily, the manual says on page 1 it is 10 amp 15 volt system. On page 3 it further specifies input of 15-16 VDC 10 amps, and the output is 14.5 V at 10 amps. Maximum input is 10 amps.
@@TheDCCGuy thanks for catching my error its been corrected
Thanks for the video Larry. Maybe I'm overthinking this, but I'm a little confused. I have a DCC system with a separate programming track output, like in your first example. Your solution doesn't make sense to me because you talk about being able to drive the locomotive off the programming track after throwing the switch back over to the main rail output. How is that possible when the rest of the layout won't have power due to that track section being isolated?
If you use a system with separate power and programming outputs then you always would have power on the main track and selectively have power or programming using the switch. If using a system like the PowerCab then it is always providing power to the output terminals and only sends out programming commands when you tell it to which is why it has to be isolated.
Just Thinking ? Can you have working ground signals just using hand throw points with my
tam-valley frog juicers ?????.
It depends on what kind of ground signals you use. If they have 3 wires like the standard signals I showed then that would work the same as I showed. However if you want to use the DCC Concepts ground signals I also showed in another video then it would require a special interface as they are wired with only 2 wires and the interface simply flips polarity.
Hi Larry,sir could you tell me how to wire up a programming track on my layout where I use a NCE powerhouse pro system and then would like to use my Power Cab on the designated programming track? In another words I drive my Locomotive onto the programming track using the powerhouse pro then switch over to the power cab? How would that be wired using a double pole double throw switch with on/off/on? I appreciate your help very much kind sir! Also please keep up the great videos friend!
Why not just use the programming output from the PowerHouse Pro and use the DPDT switch as I showed? You could then just set up a separate workbench programming track with the PowerCab. Mixing the output from both systems could get “complicated”.
@@TheDCCGuy Larry the powerhouse pro is new to me and I had no idea sir it had a programming in it. Thank You so much friend for the info! I’ll wire it with a DPDT switch as in the video! Thank You so much for your time! I have a lot to learn about the powerhouse pro yet! Merry Christmas!
Can I attach the leads for track to the buss wire and run the leads for programming track to the digitak command station
Yes, as long as you use the switch as I showed in the video. That allows you to provide both power and programming capability selectively to an isolated section of track.
I dedicated my turntable track to programming
Could you use insulated railjoiners
Can you be more specific?
@@TheDCCGuy the plastic rail joiners
that is to complicated
solution: just put a shut off switch(DPST) on the main track for the single power feed systems and tap the programing track in between the system and the switch then you just shut off the main layout when programing
I have a NCE dcc twin ' and i want to build a small layout 4x8 with this dcc twin can i have sounds on a new locomotive Because i don't have any locomotive and i want to buy two locomotive , Can i buy it with sounds ? Thank You I like your work
I have never messed with the Twin but it seems to be able to control up to 8 functions so you should be able to control a sound decoder with it. You might be limited in how many functions you can control but it also is possible to remap or reassign the ones you want to use to the keys on the unit. I would see if a friend would bring over a sound decoder to test on your layout before buying. Also you might do a search on TH-cam to see if anyone has done a specific video on the Twin.
Ok so adding An additional test track which type of track do you prefer. Brass or silver
Nickel silver, haven’t even seen any brass track in years.
@@TheDCCGuy most of my track (which I had set up on 2-4x8 sheets of plywood way back in 1977) is brass. Will DCC work with this old track. I am not sure if I want to replace a couple hundred feet of track
Brass will,work just fine, but you will want to keep it clean for best electrical conductance.
Hi larry,Ihave just watched (290) this what was asking the last time tx you,now can you do a follow on and link up a dcc concepts alpha meter to the power leads thanks again Brian
Brian all you have to do is run two wires from the track power terminals to the input side of the Alpha Meter and then run two wires from the output terminals on the other side of the board to your DCC power bus. It basically is just spliced into the power bus.
@@TheDCCGuy Thank you Larry