as these seem a cheap option i was considering getting a couple. but do they keep the power on all the time? or do they only switch it on for a few seconds to throw the turnout motor?? i was wondering because as they seem to take their entire power from the DCC bus it wouldn't make them very useful on a layout with a lot of turnout motors?
locoworks as these seem a cheap option i was considering getting a couple. but do they keep the power on all the time? or do they only switch it on for a few seconds to throw the turnout motor?? i was wondering because as they seem to take their entire power from the DCC bus it wouldn't make them very useful on a layout with a lot of turnout motors?
The DS44 is for stall motors only (i.e. Tortoise like motors). I have one installed and it works fine as long as you have Tortoise motors, don't need panel pushbuttons or local routes. Yes, it does take power from the track but at 15-30ma each, it would take a number of turnouts to add up. Mine is quite reliable but I prefer the DS64s, for the other features already mentioned.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
I prefer the DS-64 as well. I have 8 of them. They just have much greater capability.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Yes, the DS44's keep the power on all the time.
You can use push button or manual control, it just won't interface with the DCC system. What you do is rig the leads to the Tortoise through a DPDT latching push button or a toggle. I've done this on my club layout for a few isolated switches that needed to be thrown from multiple places but didn't need a full blown stationary decoder.
For example, we have an operator's pit here:
This switching area is fed by a small yard out of sight behind the trees on the other side of the bridge (on the far right of the pic).
These yard switches are controlled normally by DPDT toggles on the fascia. This is nice when you're in the aisle, but not so nice when you're in the pit. Therefore, I wired in a DS44 into the yard switches and called them, 100, 101, 102, and 103. Now the operator in the pit can throw these switches with his throttle, or when he's out in the aisle, he can simple throw the toggle.
The reason to use DS44's is that they are cheap. At $10 MSRP a switch, it's hard to beat.
Paul A. Cutler III*******************Weather Or No Go New Haven*******************
I have two of them and several DS64's. They are great for my yard, where I don't really need loconet feedback. I like the DS64 for mainline turnouts.
As others have said, they do constantly consume power. You can place them on a seperate power district if you think it'll be a problem.
Greg Amer
The Industrial Lead
thanks folks, that answers that one for me.
If you want DCC and button control, the NCE Switch-It also comes in at under $10 per turnout and has connections for pushbuttons. Same problem as the DS44, it only gets power from the track. A seperate power district is highly recommended - if you short because of an incorrectly lined switch and the decoder is drawing power from that same track - no way to operate the turnout motor and clear the problem.At the very least, you'd want a breaker feeding the track, and tap off for the stationary decoders between the booster and the breaker - that way a short will trip the breaker, but the booster will still be powered and supply power to the stationary decoders.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
jbinkley60Yes, it does take power from the track but at 15-30ma each, it would take a number of turnouts to add up.
True, but it does add up. For example, my relatively small 5x12 foot layout has 24 turnouts. Allowing 30ma per turnout, that's 720ma, or almost 3/4 of an amp. That's the same as 2 or 3 running locomotives.
Yes, you could put it on a separate power district, but that requires a booster. Any money you would save with the DS44 will be spent several times over by doing this.
I'm always concerned when I see the "it's just a little bit of power" argument. We always argue strenously when someone suggests running structure lights off the track bus, but typical grain of wheat bulbs draw about 30ma each, also.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.