If I understand correctly, you can keep a DT402D throttle plugged into a powered UP-5 to keep a battery from running down? If so, does it have to be part of my actual LocoNet? I like to shut my system down after each session and as such I need to continually remove the 9V battery and re-insert at the next session. My question-can I have a UP-5 powered but not part of the LocoNet to serve this function? For about $25-$30 for the UP-5 and a PS-14 I could just install the UP-5 without connecting to the LocoNet and keep the PS-14 continually powered and plug in the throttle? I understand it would re-charge my rechargeable battery, just keep it from running down. Do I have all this correct? Thanks all.
You can connect the UP5 to loconet .and plug a PS14 into it. Leave the PS14 turned on when the system is off and it will keep any throttles that are plugged into it from using their battery.
It won't charge the throttle battery, just keep it from being used by the throttle.
Martin Myers
You don't have to power the UP5 You do not have to put the battery in the DT 402d to use it with the UP5 unpowered. The UP5 should be connected to the loconet and the DT402d can be left in the UP5 when shut down provided you reverse the battery. BTW, there may be room in the shell to install a sub miniature toggle as I have done on several DT400's so as not to have to reverse the battery.
A couple of points:
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
And it really depends on the type of batteries you use, too. Most of the common NiCad and Nickle-hydride batteries self discharge even when there is no load on them. Some of the newer style ones though are a huge improvement - Maha has some in 9V size needed for the throttles, in the AA size used by my digital camera, I use Sanyo Enloop batteries - and a pair sitting in my camera for a year still have plenty of charge. These and the Maha 9V models aren't inexpensive, but they do work a whole lot better than the cheapy no-name kinds. And you need to be careful in choosing 9V rechargeables - because the cell chemistry is different than disposable alkaline batteries, each cell is only 1.2V instead of 1.5V, so a lot of '9V' batteries are only 8.4V, which is getting close to the minimum threshold for the throttles to work right, even when fully charged. Maga has both - the other kind add an extra cell and end up at 9.6V and can run down a lot more before getting too low for the throttle to function. These are the ones you want, for best operation and less frequent replacement.
And how long they last depends on your operating habits - we have one guy at the club who seems to kill a battery in a half hour, another guy runs all morning, puts a fresh battery in at lunch, and runs all afternoon. On the DT40x throttles you can dim or turn off the backlight, which next to the radio is the biggest power sucker in the device.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks for your input Jim. I took your advise when I first got my Super Chief last month and bought Maha PowerEx batteries. When fully charged they show like 10.2V on my DT402D display. I tend to run the layout during the weeknights (not every night) for only an hour or so and as such the Maha batteries don't need recharging every time I shut down. My main issue is (and I know it might be nitpicking) trying to get the Maha battery out of the DT402. I find I need a tool to "dig" it out-I am concerned eventually I will be potentially damaging the battery case, plus it's just a nuisance. So I would like to just plug in and keep what charge remains in the battery. I supposed I could keep the UP92 alive, which would cost nothing additional, but again, I am concerned when I am not there about a surge potentially damaging a live UP92. Potentially having any issue with a UP5 is much less expensive proposition.
Get a piece of fabric ribbon, and put it in before putting the battery in - then you have the two ends to pull the battery out with.
Thanks Randy-it's so simple it's genius!!!
OK, so I installed the UP5 with the PS14 power supply and it is unconnected to the LocoNet. The entire layout is powered off but for this PS14 and UP5. My question-with the throttle plugged in the display remains as it was when plugged in but the middle LED on top of the throttle is rapidly flashing. Is this normal? Thanks all.
The one that normally lights up when you turn ont he flashlight? This indicates radio failure. Unless you have the fast clock going, or you didn't stop whatever loco you had selected, I don;t think this should be constantly flashing. It typically indicates that the throttle is trying to send some data but is not receiving a response.
Thanks Randy. So should I assume because it is trying to send a signal and the LocoNet (and whole layout) is powered down and therefore no signal is being received that this is the result? BTW, I did throttle down each engine to zero before shutting down layout and plugging in the throttle. Do you think this constant flashing can harm the throttle long term?
It shouldn't hurt anything. It's a bright light though and might be annoying. Did you dispatch them too, or just set the speed to zero?
Could the DT402D be pinging the UR92 and getting no result? I know DT400R's ping the system when left sitting around with a battery installed. Doesn't matter if an address is selected or not. I wouldn't know about the duplex throttle because I just remove my battery when not in use.