Portable Testing and Programming Track Setup for DCC Locomotives in HO and N Scale | Build Video
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video I build a Test and Program Setup for DCC Locomotive with HO Scale and N Scale Track. I use a Digitrax PR4 Computer Interface and a Digitrax Command Station and fit everything onto a portable shelf.
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🔖 Video Chapters
00:00 Intro Test and Programming Setup
00:36 My Goal
01:00 Laying Track
03:03 First Test
03:14 Securing Track
04:36 Wiring for DCC and JMRI
06:00 Second Test
06:15 Making everything neat and tidy
08:08 The Knife Switch DPDT
09:05 The Final Test
09:46 Supporters and Sponsors - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
G'day Heath, very nice little test/programming unit you've made up there. I like the knife switch idea and the handy rolling road in the case. And yes, I like neat wiring, well as neat as you can get it anyway! All the best, John
John, My intention is always neat wiring, but by the time the project is finished, it is not always perfect.
Very nice Heath. Now you need to put two more rails on straddling the HO for the 2 rail O scale so I can come over to test things.
If I would have thought about it ahead of time, I could have spaced the rails of the N and HO so it would fit an O scale.
Outstanding Heath! You did an excellent job explaining the setup, easy to follow tutorial.
Steven, Much appreciated! -Heath
Very nice testing/programming setup Heath. Well-done!
John, Thanks so much!!
Nice job. I guess you answered my other questions about the size. You made it 14" so it fits on the shelf and you can swap out the power supply if needed. I'm a little bit of a nut with neat wiring. I use those tie wrap anchors and "P" clips a lot. My wiring starts out neat but when it gets to the control box, it's another story! That looks like a very handy project.
Sometimes I need to go back and clean up my wiring. Or I will need to change one wire and then everything turns into a mess.
Love this project. I saw someone build a similar test kits for NCE out of a tool box.
I had a portable case for my DR5000 back when I was doing T-Trak. What I like about just making the shelf is very little setup.
Great video , from start to finish !! Love to see/watch technology involve in our hobby nice build... Heath . Answering question #1 Wiring: I love spaghetti and thats what I would call my wiring .
Question #2 Test Station: No... Simplicity is for me... just a program track . Darrell
Thanks for answering the questions. Spagetti is definitely a very common wiring method!!
Nice little setup, love the knife switch.
Makes it look like I know what I am doing, LOL.
@@HumancityJunction The thing that would surprise everyone (but me), is that you always know exactly what you are doing.
Great work Heath, finally a programming/testing track that is useful and as you say portable. I use my very basic HO one for programming/testing and videoing, until I complete my layout it comes in super handy. Thanks for posting.
Cheers, Gary.
When I do not want to fire up the layout, it is great for simple testing and programming. I am glad I put it together.
Absolutely brilliant thanks for sharing your quality content 👏👏👏👏👏🎥
My pleasure!
Very nice set up Heath
Thanks 👍
Nice project. Now I have to add one to my todo list.
How big is your todo list? If it is like mine ... LOL
@@HumancityJunction Mine is at least as big as yours ... LOL
@@genejablonski9909 LOL, are we only counting the ones actually written down or are we also counting the ones in our heads?
Good work! I am planning something similar but with an additional Rolling Road, an ESU Decoder Tester, and a DC throttle. As tracks, I will use a three-rail track, which combines H0 standard gauge and narrow gauge. Thus I cover two nominal sizes. In your case, this would be a H0/H0e track. Because of the three sources and the three different outputs, I will use two 2-level rotary selector switches.
I got an ESU LokProgrammer after I made this initial programming track, so I will be adding this as well.
For the rotary switch, my recommendation is to get one that is twice the number of selections as you need. And then leave every other one empty. This way you get a clean break between each element, no cross connection.
@@HumancityJunction That's a good hint. Unfortunately, I have already bought the rotary switches. These have 3 groups with 4 contacts each. One of each of the contacts is the output. My consideration is now to use one group for the one pole and the other two groups for the opposite pole. Group 1 switches the pole from sources 1 to 3, with group 2 only the opposite pole of sources 1 and 3 and with group 3 only the opposite pole of source 2.
Wow, very impressive.
Thank you very much!
Nice job, Heath! I have plans to create a test station like this (with some woodworking aspects thrown in), but I have a gazillion other projects lined up before it, so who knows when it'll get done lol. Thanks for sharing!
Joey, this project rose to the top because it was in the way of getting other projects done. It was low on my priority list.
I don't know what you said, but it looks good . I enjoy a nice clean wiring job, I tried my best to do the same on my layout. Wiring isn't my strong point, but I like it.
Jerry, would it make a difference if I said that I do not know what I am talking about either :)
As you are a craftsman, I am sure your wiring is neater than most.
@@HumancityJunction I just meant I don't know what all that stuff does. I try to understand wiring and just copy what guys like you do.
@@BoxcarJerry Ahh, if you have any specifics, I am happy to help.
@@HumancityJunction thanks I appreciate it and will keep that in mind.
Good job/substantially similar to my setup (except I don't have the n scale track) I did away with my portable tracks and simply have it all wired to a track which will double as a city scene display.
I do have a programming track setup on my Timesaver Puzzle, but I have found that it is faster for me to just power up the test setup than it is to power up the layout.
Hi ya Heath. Impressive, very impressive. To answer your question, no I would not. My life’s philosophy has always been, KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid. Over complicating my life, gives me a headache. But, to quote Cuz Vinny. “ with that being said,” I appreciate your interests and technical proclivities. Thanks for sharing. See ya.
NoRo, thanks so much for watching and commenting. I get that this is not everyone's cut of tea, but that is what I enjoy about the hobby, there is something for everyone.
Portable? Does it fit in your pocket? I didn’t think so.
Mark, apparently you have not seen my pockets!
I did not say pocket sized, I said portble :)