I have a DT400R that used to run fine a while ago at the club on radio transmission.Lately,I tried to use it at home in IR mode.It did work a couple of times but won't anymore.It goes perfect when tethered to the DCS200 but turns to "idle" when I unplug it.Could I have disactivated something or do I simply have a faulty throttle?It's had very little use since I have it (about four hours) so I have doubts.Thanks.
This may be too obvious, but do you have an IR receiver connected to your system, and is it turned on? IR is line of sight, so you may need to aim the throttle at the receiver.
I have two IR receivers on the layout and I've had doubtsabout them at first,but then I realized that the DT400R turns "off" to "idle" mode when I unplug it from the command station.No more loco infos or else,nothing but the "idle" shown.
How about new batteries, even if they show good on a tester.
Jack W.
If it turns out that the battery is good, check your throttle options. It could have been changed to "radio only". See the manual section titled "Customizing your DT400". The table for Option 2 covers the various radio/ IR options. x23 is the default radio and IR enabled value for option 2 on the DT400R.
Digitrax DT400s eat batteries. When the battery power gets too low the throttle shuts down. I am a satisfied Digitrax radio Super Chief owner for over ten years. I have DT100R, DT300R and DT400R throttles still in use, although I have recently added duplex radio to the system.
I previously used regular 9v rechargable batteries which lasted a long time (several hours of heavy use) in the DT100R and DT300R throttles, but not very long in the DT400R. I have upgraded to POWEREX charging system and rechargable batteries which are a little more than 9v, which is fine for the Digitrax system.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
I'll 2nd that,the DT400R gobles up rechargable batterys,mine will lose contact with the reciever even at around 6v.
We are finding that with these throttles using a really good grade of non chargable 9v battery is preferable to the rechargables.
Mabye digitraxx should offer a power switch to half the radio power when using it on small layouts. Batteries can get pretty expensive.
Springfield PA
Hamltnblue Maybe digitraxx should offer a power switch to half the radio power when using it on small layouts. Batteries can get pretty expensive.
Maybe digitraxx should offer a power switch to half the radio power when using it on small layouts. Batteries can get pretty expensive.
Digitrax claims there is not enough room for a On/Off switch. I find it odd because a few of my club's members have installed a slide switch in their DT40x throttle without any problem. I personally remove the battery when not in use. This way they last a very long time.
I, too, use the PowerEX 9.6 volt rechargable system in my DT-402Ds and my grandson's UT4D. They work great, recharge quickly, and last a long time. I turn them over when not in use.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
The Powerex batteries are the wy to go if you want rechargeables. The common "9V" rechargables you buy int he store start out at only 8.4V fully charged.
Also, you don't have to constantly twiddle the knob. That kills the battery faster than anything. I've seen people doing this at the club layout, constantly ticking up and down a click or two.
As for the switch - the case of the DT40x throttles is an off the shelf piece, you cna even buy them from Mouser and Digikey. They do not have a power switch slot. What may be practical for a person to do individual with a hobby knife is not practical for mass production. PLUS the simple change of adding a power switch you likely require a new round of FCC certification tests, because that brings an electricla component to the surface of the case. Such testing is not inexpensive. If the case molding had a switch cutout and they simply covered it up, THEN I would be mad that they did not include a power switch on at lest the DT402 series.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx As for the switch - the case of the DT40x throttles is an off the shelf piece, you cna even buy them from Mouser and Digikey. They do not have a power switch slot. What may be practical for a person to do individual with a hobby knife is not practical for mass production. PLUS the simple change of adding a power switch you likely require a new round of FCC certification tests, because that brings an electricla component to the surface of the case. Such testing is not inexpensive. If the case molding had a switch cutout and they simply covered it up, THEN I would be mad that they did not include a power switch on at lest the DT402 series. --Randy
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I don´t really buy your explanation. Yes it would be more expensive to make a second round of FCC testing, but if they hadn´t released a unfinished product, they wouldn´t have to make a new test as it would have been included in the price for the first test, if it had only been installed then.
The fact that they use off the shelf casings doesn´t automatically make it impossible or even very expensive to machine them to fit a switch. The money they save on using those casings, making their product look "cheap" should at least make them want to spend some money on "pimping" them up, right?
The pure fact that a company even considers using ordinary batteries today in a cordless handheld is really a laughing matter! There is so many more long lasting (and small) batterys on the market today such as Li.Ion and such that would have made this thread unnecessary, if they had used those instead.
Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:
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the actual battery type isn't really the problem though i do get what you are saying. i think it would have been nice if yes they had an isolating switch, and also if it had rechargable batteries that it would actually charge them from the loconet when plugged in. alternatively, just like the isolating switch there could have been a basic charge socket fitted to the unit so you don't have to keep opening and cklosing the cover.. is there room for one of those sockets that when a plug is inserted it breaks the feed between 2 contacts?? if so this could be the charge socket too. when no charger is plugged in it effectively turns the unit to ON with no seperate isolating switch. when you plug in the charger it turns the unit off to charge the battery. but you could just plug in a blank plug to isolate the battey instead if you don't want to charge it. maybe a stereo jack socket would do??