There is a new Modelling Messiah on TH-cam! This was pure gold! You answered simple questions in a concise manner. I have precisely your configuration and this footage was so easy to follow. DCC (God bless ‘em) make things so complicated in an effort to sell us more devices than necessary.
Just found this video, so Pleased you sorted out the problem, really surprised that DCC Concepts haven't written concise instructions on this, as you are certainly not alone with this issue. Regarding the initial electronic issue, I think it would only be someone that understands railway electronics that could have solved this easily, from a normal electronic background you have to understand dcc and how a electro frog works and having 2 separate buses would also confuse the matter LOL! essential all you have done is use the switch function on the cobalt to switch the black or red to the frog depending which way the blade has thrown on the point. Your video has clear instructions and easy to understand so kudos to you, and I'm sure it will help out many modellers. I just hope DCC Concepts get to see the video so they can put this method in their instructions! All the Best Tony
Yes what a headache. The instructions should just say for DC layouts use one of the accessory switches for the frog power. The SL-Frog is only for DCC layouts, but surprised that wasn’t obvious to DCC Concepts when it was raised. Thank you for the video and highlighting the issue. 👍
Excellent! Two days too late for me but this is the conclusion I came to as well and it’s now all working fine. I was surprised that this isn’t something DCC Concepts have a video on or at least a manual.
Thanks Mark, was meaning to get this out a couple of weeks back, glad I wasn't the only one with this problem, for a while I was going crazy trying to figure out what I had done wrong. I agree DCC Concepts should have it on the manual. Though give them their due I think it was them that posted the image.
I just had a test board with one point on it as I had a feeling I would run into issues! Using a multimeter to test voltage to track helped too. That way you can be sure polarity is right before trying it with a loco. Time to get on with the real layout now. 🙂
Thankyou for your handy to know vid. When I installed the DCc Concepts Alpha gear on our club layout, we used the power from our DCC Bus circuit to power the system, unlike you where you used an independant dc power supply. I had no problem using the frog wire to the frog terminal on the cobalt SM. I think that is the difference between the two power supply methods. Your solution was rather slick, nice! Idid not need the sniffer but I did need the Cobalt Box etc. More expensive than your option but it works magnificently. Dont worry tho, I had to do a bit of head scratching to get it play nice!
Yep that's how originally installed them via the dcc power bus, but was fiddly having to remember switch addresses (memory not as good as it used to be)etc to use through the dcc controller hence moved over to this system using the sniffer etc but thanks for your comments Al
Thanks for video, I have same setup as you, started to change points to electrofrog type and your solution is the answer I have been looking for. Many thanks
You have done well sir. I’m making vids in my Chanel on my dream layout and went down the D-concepts path but just using the isolated version. DCC layout but points seperate using alpha and sniffer. I’m currently assembling a test panel of how I will best deploy this so I’m still about 3 months until people will see this but it’s all fun and if I did not have work on other jobs I would be at this all day and night lol. Stay safe.
It is all fun but it drains any free time you have which is even less when you have to work... which sucks.... are you using electrofrog points or insulfrog?
@@allynwoodmodelling free time is for this ha ha ha. Yes work new born running 3 business etc nothing is ever easy waiting on a pair of points ordered in FEB from Melbourne to be here for a video in shooting in early April only to discover they have been sent from Melbourne to Adelaide to Brisbane to Perth currently in Cairns and week behind in my vids (I live 2.5 hours north of brissy lol) AUSTRALIA post grrrr. Yes insul frog. I know I know it’s wrong but the logic will become clear. In about 4 videos time.
Perseverance is the clue and lots of patience with forums and the like, I find You tube is one of the best p[laces to search for resolutions to problems as someone else generally has had the same problem and done something on it. Cheers Allan
So it's basically wired similar to a tortoise using a separate DCC accessorie decoder! Many thanks for your video it will save me much head scratching when I install my alpha central and cobalt IP digital motors!
Pretty much, you don't need a separate decoder for the motor as its built into the motor itself, I only used the accessory bus in order to separate it from my throttle controller (plus my wife says I'm a chronic button pusher... fair enough) But I hope it helps, The alpha system seemed easy and logical when I started but I did find a few traps for the unwary.... above all take your time and try to have fun Al
Hi Allynwood I have just got the ECOS ESU Command Station 50210 I set it up today and placed a Bachmann with a LoKSound 4.0 sound chip onboard onto the progam track set it up to read the decoder. I suddenly heard a crack like a matchstick snapping then smoke and that god awful smell of burning electronics I quickly removed it from the track worrying it was the controller I turned it off I rang Rails of Sheffield in the uk and they were helpful, they said the doubted it was the Loksound chip and more likely to be the controller they kept me waiting listening to the same incredibly boring message before coming back and telling me about the fact that they could not test it there as the only way to test the ECOS was with a DCC concepts sniffer. However, watching your interesting video I am not sure that the sniffer would be able to tell me if my controller had a problem, I don't suppose you would have any ideas would you. All the very best Adie In War and Peace
Hiya sorry for a late reply but been away for a holiday for 4 weeks, I doubt very much that the sniffer would be any use to you at all? as my understan ding is that it is similar to a command station in that it takes the information and sends it out via a bus line system, so i doubt very much that it reads abnything back the other way, and it is designed to be used in conjunction with the alpha encoders. So i think they are just probably mixed up in their information. I'm not familiar with the ECOS system so can;t really help you with how to check it. being ESU and the same ESU making the loksound i would doubt if there was an incompatibility in the electronics. It really sounds like there was too much voltage going through the chip, so my advice would be 1: Recheck the wiring and make sure it is all wired up correctly 2: Check the voltage of the output on the programming track and mainline track using a multimeter 2: have you run any other loco or chip using the new controller on the main line or programming line without an issue 3: Had the loksound decoder been used previously with your old controller. 4: check on youtube or other forums to see if there has been similar issues I did find something using the Ecos and sniffer from DCC concepts link here ( www.dccconcepts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ECoS-Command-Station-With-Alpha-Station-And-Sniffer.pdf ) but it looks like its taking signals from the alpha encoders into the ecos CSu via a sniffer (not the other way around) Hope this helps somewhat .... please let me know how you resolve this as its quite interesting, I presume the loksound 4 is now just a smoking pile of circuits Al
Hi your video was great helped me solve the shorting-problem I cant seem to change the direction of the points using 197, Tried loads of times and just it just wont work, all I want to do is have all my points when on green they are all running straight and when on red the point is thrown, Hope you can help, Kind regards Chris
2 things i can think off. One after setting 197 then turning it to run are you turning the power off to the motor? and the only other option would be to remount the motor flipping it through 180 degrees so it mounts on the other side of the point to wich you have it now?
Another WA modeller , hi there, very interesting video, I have about 30 analogue motors with electrofrog points and panel but not digital. I have the frog powered from the track and new some systems recommended a separate power bus for frogs? I am just about to start the last section with a bout 12 points and was considering the IP digital. Cheers
Thanks for your comment, you can run the IP digital without a separate bus, i changed mine more to do with my controller than the wiring of the frog, using the DCC power bus is easier, and I believe you should be able to wire it up the same as your analogue motors, but then again I haven't tried. Your layout loosd pretty well completed and looking well detailed too Cheers Al
Hi there, currently conversing with DCC Concepts about using the alpha switch system, they are stating that I need to purchase an alpha box to communicate with a Digitrax DCC controlled layout, the sniffer unit is a cheaper option, does this have to be on a separate bus or can it be connected to main track bus for it to operate.
It needs to run a seperate bus wire, and if your points are electrofrog then you will also need to run wires from your track power bus in order to give the electrofrog the correct power (so 5 wires per motor, 2 "dcc in" wires to control the point motor from your new sniffer bus, 2 wires from your track power bus to provide power for your frog, and the frog out wire to the electrofrog itself), but mine works well once i figured that out....... hope that helps Al
My Sniffer unit has an issue.This morning it was red so I powered it off and on again. Unit came up with a pale blue, then flashing blue and now no light. I still have control of my switches via Alpha Central. Would appreciate your thoughts please.
Thanks Tony The main reason that the sniffer would turn red is if there is a wiring issue, like a short or something, the other main factor that would affcet a sniffer is if you are using a different power supply, (having fried a sniffer myself using the wrong power adapter it didnlt just turn red it smoked as well) that may be the wrong voltage or current... so check that and see if its still giving you the right amps and volts. From memory I believe the originally recommended a regulated power adapter, The fact you can still operate your points is interesting.... so you still have power. Where the points working when the red light was on? if everything else checks out then maybe its just the LED circuit?, otherwise I have no idea hope that helps Al
Hi, Can you tell me if I have 2 separate panels that include the same turnout address, will this system update both panels led ? Also, if the turnout is selected from a throttle, will the panels led be updated ?
To be perfectly honest the best person to answer your question would be DCC concepts themselves, As for selecting the turnout through a throttle i don't think anything would be updated as the system is a one way system (ie the signal comes from the LED push switch down through the panels and system to the sniffer , i wouldn;t imagine it goes the other way, but DCC would confirm that. I would imagine it would be pointless (sorry for the pun ... not intended) to have duplicate systems. Hope that helps, probably doesn;t though? Allan
Great video - took me two years to work this out 😂! Would you recommend having a separate bus wire for the point motors feeding into a mimic board? I’m struggling to see a viable alternative that doesn’t cause chaos when driving the locos.
I use the cobalt alpha switches on the mimic board that feeds into the motor bus and that's what caused the problem. When the ran through the dcc track power bus it worked fine. If you can run your mimic panel through your dcc track power control system that might be another solution. I believe there is a way of running the sniffer into the train controller if it has a sniffer port ( some do but don't know which ones) then that would remove the need for a separate bus. I personally now like having a separate bus system...... Now as it's working. Cheers Al
@@allynwoodmodelling The problem is you have 2 sources for the DCC signal. The sniffer accessory bus and the track bus driver. Whereas DC has a fixed voltage on one rail DCC does not. DCC is an alternating signal (ie both rails can be high or low). The signals would have to be in sync to avoid a short (which with DCC occurs with a jump in waveform). If you wire the frog to the accessory bus, the two busses meet via the loco wheels and a short is the result. Wire the frogs to the track bus and there is no short because the two busses don't meet.
Hi Mark. I also don't know which forum you may have seen the diagram on, but it looks to me that the diagram originated on DCC Concepts own website in their advice section (I don't know exactly where). Anyway, hope you still had some hair left after all those years trying to solve the problem!
Fairly obvious really. The DCC accessory bus is strictly controlling the point motors only. Terminal 3 is changing with reference to terminals 1 and 2. If you have a separate DCC track bus then the frog needs to change with respect to that bus. You were essentially mixing 2 different DCC buses so I’m not surprised it didn’t work 😂
yep you got it in one, but would have been nice if DCC concepts had included a suitable description or wiring diagram at the time. This was several years ago and several others have commented on having the same problem with no solution... that's we all do this to help each other out Cheers Al
Strange that's the very thing I asked DCC Concepts three days ago. I'm a total novice with all this railway modelling trying to rig up test system to use the DCC concepts power and and A box don't know what I did wrong but the A box started to smoke!!! Dcc concepts do not use detailed enough wiring diagrams for me. Just showing one line from A to B is not much good if you don't know which socket it goes to. DCC concepts told me I do not need the sniffer for a accessory bus is that correct?
it depends on what you are running on your accessory bus, and how you want to control it. if it has built in encoders/decoders and the like, or if its a simple bus like lighting.... either its on or off etc I don't know that much about other controllers and how they can control an accessory bus if its routed through them. Not much help, if it smoked (my sniffer did that once) check your polarity, voltage and amperage of the transformer you are using to power it, they don't appreciate it too much if you get it wrong way around. (had to replace mine). learning the hard way can be expensive but at least you can be sure you will never do it twice Al
![ไลฟ์สุ่ม iPhone 295 บาท... โกงมั้ย?[ โกงมั้ยครับ ep.97 ] | DOM](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gdstHEE4UUE/mqdefault.jpg)
There is a new Modelling Messiah on TH-cam! This was pure gold! You answered simple questions in a concise manner. I have precisely your configuration and this footage was so easy to follow. DCC (God bless ‘em) make things so complicated in an effort to sell us more devices than necessary.
Thanks, but i just do my bit, have to agree about the DCC concepts though
Cheers
Al
Just found this video, so Pleased you sorted out the problem, really surprised that DCC Concepts haven't written concise instructions on this, as you are certainly not alone with this issue. Regarding the initial electronic issue, I think it would only be someone that understands railway electronics that could have solved this easily, from a normal electronic background you have to understand dcc and how a electro frog works and having 2 separate buses would also confuse the matter LOL! essential all you have done is use the switch function on the cobalt to switch the black or red to the frog depending which way the blade has thrown on the point. Your video has clear instructions and easy to understand so kudos to you, and I'm sure it will help out many modellers. I just hope DCC Concepts get to see the video so they can put this method in their instructions! All the Best Tony
Thanks, seems simple in retrospect
Yes what a headache. The instructions should just say for DC layouts use one of the accessory switches for the frog power. The SL-Frog is only for DCC layouts, but surprised that wasn’t obvious to DCC Concepts when it was raised. Thank you for the video and highlighting the issue. 👍
Great set of videos on the DCC Concept range, thankfully found them while in research mode rather than resolving a problem mode.
Absolute nuggets…!
Glad it helped!
Clear and concise without any jargon my type of video. Shall be saving this for when I get the dcc concepts points
thanks.
Excellent! Two days too late for me but this is the conclusion I came to as well and it’s now all working fine. I was surprised that this isn’t something DCC Concepts have a video on or at least a manual.
Thanks Mark, was meaning to get this out a couple of weeks back, glad I wasn't the only one with this problem, for a while I was going crazy trying to figure out what I had done wrong. I agree DCC Concepts should have it on the manual. Though give them their due I think it was them that posted the image.
I just had a test board with one point on it as I had a feeling I would run into issues! Using a multimeter to test voltage to track helped too. That way you can be sure polarity is right before trying it with a loco. Time to get on with the real layout now. 🙂
Thankyou for your handy to know vid. When I installed the DCc Concepts Alpha gear on our club layout, we used the power from our DCC Bus circuit to power the system, unlike you where you used an independant dc power supply. I had no problem using the frog wire to the frog terminal on the cobalt SM. I think that is the difference between the two power supply methods. Your solution was rather slick, nice! Idid not need the sniffer but I did need the Cobalt Box etc. More expensive than your option but it works magnificently. Dont worry tho, I had to do a bit of head scratching to get it play nice!
Yep that's how originally installed them via the dcc power bus, but was fiddly having to remember switch addresses (memory not as good as it used to be)etc to use through the dcc controller hence moved over to this system using the sniffer etc
but thanks for your comments
Al
Thanks for video, I have same setup as you, started to change points to electrofrog type and your solution is the answer I have been looking for. Many thanks
Glad it helped
You have done well sir. I’m making vids in my Chanel on my dream layout and went down the D-concepts path but just using the isolated version. DCC layout but points seperate using alpha and sniffer. I’m currently assembling a test panel of how I will best deploy this so I’m still about 3 months until people will see this but it’s all fun and if I did not have work on other jobs I would be at this all day and night lol. Stay safe.
It is all fun but it drains any free time you have which is even less when you have to work... which sucks.... are you using electrofrog points or insulfrog?
@@allynwoodmodelling free time is for this ha ha ha. Yes work new born running 3 business etc nothing is ever easy waiting on a pair of points ordered in FEB from Melbourne to be here for a video in shooting in early April only to discover they have been sent from Melbourne to Adelaide to Brisbane to Perth currently in Cairns and week behind in my vids (I live 2.5 hours north of brissy lol) AUSTRALIA post grrrr. Yes insul frog. I know I know it’s wrong but the logic will become clear. In about 4 videos time.
Thanks for all the help Mate!! You sure have saved me a bunch of headache!! Bravo, Thanks Again!!!!
Great to hear!
Very good setting it up now. DCC Concepts manuals are very well explained very hard to find.
Perseverance is the clue and lots of patience with forums and the like, I find You tube is one of the best p[laces to search for resolutions to problems as someone else generally has had the same problem and done something on it.
Cheers
Allan
So it's basically wired similar to a tortoise using a separate DCC accessorie decoder!
Many thanks for your video it will save me much head scratching when I install my alpha central and cobalt IP digital motors!
Pretty much, you don't need a separate decoder for the motor as its built into the motor itself, I only used the accessory bus in order to separate it from my throttle controller (plus my wife says I'm a chronic button pusher... fair enough) But I hope it helps, The alpha system seemed easy and logical when I started but I did find a few traps for the unwary.... above all take your time and try to have fun
Al
Yes I found 2 years ago..
Well explain
Same happened when using block detshion.
Thanks, Steven, interested to see how you go in TT120. never really looked at it myself
Excellent and easy to understand video. Many thanks and keep up the good work.
Thanks, hope it helps out others
Many thanks for this video. Will definitely try your solution
Thanks Derrick let me know if it works?
thank you that really helped me
Glad it helped!
Could you please photograph both ends of the flat cable connecting the sniffer to the decoder to show the wiring connections on the RJ12s
see above reply to your comment
Hi Allynwood I have just got the ECOS ESU Command Station 50210 I set it up today and placed a Bachmann with a LoKSound 4.0 sound chip onboard onto the progam track set it up to read the decoder. I suddenly heard a crack like a matchstick snapping then smoke and that god awful smell of burning electronics I quickly removed it from the track worrying it was the controller I turned it off I rang Rails of Sheffield in the uk and they were helpful, they said the doubted it was the Loksound chip and more likely to be the controller they kept me waiting listening to the same incredibly boring message before coming back and telling me about the fact that they could not test it there as the only way to test the ECOS was with a DCC concepts sniffer. However, watching your interesting video I am not sure that the sniffer would be able to tell me if my controller had a problem, I don't suppose you would have any ideas would you. All the very best Adie In War and Peace
Hiya
sorry for a late reply but been away for a holiday for 4 weeks,
I doubt very much that the sniffer would be any use to you at all? as my understan ding is that it is similar to a command station in that it takes the information and sends it out via a bus line system, so i doubt very much that it reads abnything back the other way, and it is designed to be used in conjunction with the alpha encoders. So i think they are just probably mixed up in their information. I'm not familiar with the ECOS system so can;t really help you with how to check it. being ESU and the same ESU making the loksound i would doubt if there was an incompatibility in the electronics. It really sounds like there was too much voltage going through the chip, so my advice would be
1: Recheck the wiring and make sure it is all wired up correctly
2: Check the voltage of the output on the programming track and mainline track using a multimeter
2: have you run any other loco or chip using the new controller on the main line or programming line without an issue
3: Had the loksound decoder been used previously with your old controller.
4: check on youtube or other forums to see if there has been similar issues
I did find something using the Ecos and sniffer from DCC concepts link here ( www.dccconcepts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ECoS-Command-Station-With-Alpha-Station-And-Sniffer.pdf ) but it looks like its taking signals from the alpha encoders into the ecos CSu via a sniffer (not the other way around)
Hope this helps somewhat .... please let me know how you resolve this as its quite interesting, I presume the loksound 4 is now just a smoking pile of circuits
Al
Hi your video was great helped me solve the shorting-problem
I cant seem to change the direction of the points using 197,
Tried loads of times and just it just wont work, all I want to do is have all my points when on green they are all running straight and when on red the point is thrown,
Hope you can help,
Kind regards
Chris
2 things i can think off. One after setting 197 then turning it to run are you turning the power off to the motor? and the only other option would be to remount the motor flipping it through 180 degrees so it mounts on the other side of the point to wich you have it now?
Another WA modeller , hi there, very interesting video, I have about 30 analogue motors with electrofrog points and panel but not digital. I have the frog powered from the track and new some systems recommended a separate power bus for frogs? I am just about to start the last section with a bout 12 points and was considering the IP digital. Cheers
Thanks for your comment, you can run the IP digital without a separate bus, i changed mine more to do with my controller than the wiring of the frog, using the DCC power bus is easier, and I believe you should be able to wire it up the same as your analogue motors, but then again I haven't tried. Your layout loosd pretty well completed and looking well detailed too
Cheers
Al
@@allynwoodmodelling Cheers much appreciated
Hi there, currently conversing with DCC Concepts about using the alpha switch system, they are stating that I need to purchase an alpha box to communicate with a Digitrax DCC controlled layout, the sniffer unit is a cheaper option, does this have to be on a separate bus or can it be connected to main track bus for it to operate.
It needs to run a seperate bus wire, and if your points are electrofrog then you will also need to run wires from your track power bus in order to give the electrofrog the correct power (so 5 wires per motor, 2 "dcc in" wires to control the point motor from your new sniffer bus, 2 wires from your track power bus to provide power for your frog, and the frog out wire to the electrofrog itself), but mine works well once i figured that out....... hope that helps
Al
I've decided to purchase the alpha box as it saves putting in another bus, can you still operate the point motors using the digitrax controller?
I have no idea,
@@paulrounding5260
The illustration you refer to can be found under the heading Cobalt iP Digital wired from an Accessory bus
Thanks. Hope that helps people
My Sniffer unit has an issue.This morning it was red so I powered it off and on again. Unit came up with a pale blue, then flashing blue and now no light. I still have control of my switches via Alpha Central. Would appreciate your thoughts please.
Thanks Tony
The main reason that the sniffer would turn red is if there is a wiring issue, like a short or something, the other main factor that would affcet a sniffer is if you are using a different power supply, (having fried a sniffer myself using the wrong power adapter it didnlt just turn red it smoked as well) that may be the wrong voltage or current... so check that and see if its still giving you the right amps and volts. From memory I believe the originally recommended a regulated power adapter, The fact you can still operate your points is interesting.... so you still have power. Where the points working when the red light was on? if everything else checks out then maybe its just the LED circuit?, otherwise I have no idea
hope that helps
Al
@@allynwoodmodelling Thanks for your reply. The issue has been solved by repairing a dry solder joint on the unit.
Regards Tony
Great to hear @@tonystringer5452
Hi, Can you tell me if I have 2 separate panels that include the same turnout address, will this system update both panels led ? Also, if the turnout is selected from a throttle, will the panels led be updated ?
To be perfectly honest the best person to answer your question would be DCC concepts themselves, As for selecting the turnout through a throttle i don't think anything would be updated as the system is a one way system (ie the signal comes from the LED push switch down through the panels and system to the sniffer , i wouldn;t imagine it goes the other way, but DCC would confirm that. I would imagine it would be pointless (sorry for the pun ... not intended) to have duplicate systems.
Hope that helps, probably doesn;t though?
Allan
Great video - took me two years to work this out 😂! Would you recommend having a separate bus wire for the point motors feeding into a mimic board? I’m struggling to see a viable alternative that doesn’t cause chaos when driving the locos.
I use the cobalt alpha switches on the mimic board that feeds into the motor bus and that's what caused the problem. When the ran through the dcc track power bus it worked fine. If you can run your mimic panel through your dcc track power control system that might be another solution. I believe there is a way of running the sniffer into the train controller if it has a sniffer port ( some do but don't know which ones) then that would remove the need for a separate bus. I personally now like having a separate bus system...... Now as it's working.
Cheers Al
@@allynwoodmodelling The problem is you have 2 sources for the DCC signal. The sniffer accessory bus and the track bus driver. Whereas DC has a fixed voltage on one rail DCC does not. DCC is an alternating signal (ie both rails can be high or low). The signals would have to be in sync to avoid a short (which with DCC occurs with a jump in waveform). If you wire the frog to the accessory bus, the two busses meet via the loco wheels and a short is the result. Wire the frogs to the track bus and there is no short because the two busses don't meet.
I got the same problem so I try it in the next few days when I have time
Thanks Tim
Let me know if it works for you too. You might need to play with the polarity a bit.
Hi Mark. I also don't know which forum you may have seen the diagram on, but it looks to me that the diagram originated on DCC Concepts own website in their advice section (I don't know exactly where). Anyway, hope you still had some hair left after all those years trying to solve the problem!
Thanks Paul, I am missing a few chunks..... you are right it does look like a DCC image pity they didn't include it in the manual!.
Cheers
Allan
Fairly obvious really. The DCC accessory bus is strictly controlling the point motors only.
Terminal 3 is changing with reference to terminals 1 and 2. If you have a separate DCC track bus then the frog needs to change with respect to that bus.
You were essentially mixing 2 different DCC buses so I’m not surprised it didn’t work 😂
yep you got it in one, but would have been nice if DCC concepts had included a suitable description or wiring diagram at the time. This was several years ago and several others have commented on having the same problem with no solution... that's we all do this to help each other out
Cheers
Al
Strange that's the very thing I asked DCC Concepts three days ago. I'm a total novice with all this railway modelling trying to rig up test system to use the DCC concepts power and and A box don't know what I did wrong but the A box started to smoke!!! Dcc concepts do not use detailed enough wiring diagrams for me. Just showing one line from A to B is not much good if you don't know which socket it goes to. DCC concepts told me I do not need the sniffer for a accessory bus is that correct?
it depends on what you are running on your accessory bus, and how you want to control it. if it has built in encoders/decoders and the like, or if its a simple bus like lighting.... either its on or off etc I don't know that much about other controllers and how they can control an accessory bus if its routed through them.
Not much help, if it smoked (my sniffer did that once) check your polarity, voltage and amperage of the transformer you are using to power it, they don't appreciate it too much if you get it wrong way around. (had to replace mine).
learning the hard way can be expensive but at least you can be sure you will never do it twice
Al
You seem to be the only one affected like this so it seems you misunderstood the wiring diagram and process.
thats the thing when i bought them there was no wiring diagram for using them this way!