DCC Accessory Decoders - switch machines

[ClinchValleySD40]

It appears most people think using these means you can't throw a switch except with the DCC system. That's not the case. I use NCE Switch It decoders to not only power my Tortoise switch machines, but also very easy to mount fascia mounted pushbuttons for local control. And for ladders and staging yards, nothing is easier than using Macros to set the proper route from the DCC hand held.

If you're using DCC, you should take a close look at the Accessory Decoders offered by most of the manufactures. Very easy to hook up (no external power supply needed) and use.

I just thought I'd try to clear up the confusion.

[rrinker]

This is why I am planning to use the NCE Switch-Its for my layout, even though my DCC system is Digitrax. It provides TWO buttons for EACH turnout motor output, most of the others only have ONE optional button per turnout drive. I do NOT like the idea of pushing the button like a toggle, one press throws one way, another press the other way. Completely non-intuitive to the operator. In a yard where using the route feature of the DS54 from Digitrax, or one of the various units from Team Digital, this is fine, with a 5 track yard with ladder, you'd have 6 turnouts to control but only need 6 buttons. No need to throw any particular turnout individually there.

To tie with other threads on non-compatible control systems, this is the beauty of NMRA DCC, I can use components from whichever manufacturer fits my needs best, at least when it comes to devices that read and act on the DCC signal like loco decoders and stationary decoders.

[robengland]

...but if you use a DS54 it will send turnout feedback messages via LocoNet to JMRI etc

And you can use two pushbuttons on a DS54 too, to control the turnout (Switch and Aux), so long as you don't want to use microswitches for turnout position feedback

Personally I don't like using two pushbuttons - no indication of current state of the turnout. I use a single pushbutton with two LEDs to show turnout position. I got the idea here http://home.neo.rr.com/mrwithdcc/ds54pr.html#interface . So I have four wires from the Tortoise to the panel: the DS54 red, green and black, and a return from the LEDs to the Tortoise black connection.

[rrinker]

I'd REALLY prefer to use toggles, like I did on DC layouts, but none of the accessory decoders seems to support holding one input tied high or low continuously. So I'll take one button on each leg, along with an LED (wired into the motor circuit, no contacts needed - the Tortoise is great for that, automatically limits the current).
The one thing I truly don't like about the DS54 is the price. Sure it does a LOT more than just basic turnout control - someone once likened it to "AJ's toy" where he put everything he could into that one device. Wonderful, but I just want to throw some Tortoise machines, and there are a lot more cost-effective options.
For feedback I intend to use something like the LocoIO boards - I can get 10 Switch-Its and a LocoIO and get the same Loconet feedback information (actually, BETTER, because I can use BOTH terminals on the Tortoise and not rely on "if the circuit is closed, it must be closed, if the circuit is open, it must be open" that comes with using only 1 input for position reporting) for less than it would cost for the 5 DS54's to do the same job. Maybe a little more work but you see, I don't mind wiring and soldering AT ALL. If someone sold complete kits of Locobuffer ad LocoIO parts so I didn't have to round up odd components across a couple of mail order vendors in an attempt to collect them all, I'd buy those in a heartbeat, I love doing electronic work. I've already built a jump port throttle for my Zephyr and a decoder tester.

[ClinchValleySD40]

The main thrust of my original post was to let people know if you use the accessory decoders does not mean you throw switches from the DCC hand helds.

Toggle switches can be used, just be sure to get momentary contact toggles.

Push buttons - you can use two, one for each route. I opted for the single push button, just push it and it lines the switch for the other route from which it is currently lined.

Another really nice thing is hooking up LEDs to indicate route. No extra electronics needed, just tap into the power lead from the decoder to the Tortoise on one side. Again, very simple and easy to do. And I absolutely love not having to run extra wires just for switch machines.

Although my experience is with the NCE Switch It, other manufactures have these and I've heard nothing but good things about all of them.

[robengland]

I'm pretty sure I've had a DS54 driven from a SPDT non-momentary toggle switch. Connect Aux to one side, Switch to the other and COmmon to the cntre pole. SHould work just fine, just gotta get the CVs right :-)