Hi.
I'm looking for help creating a lighted switchboard panel with local turnout control using a DS64 from Digitrax. I can do the local turnout control buttons and programming, so I'm just wondering if there is any special precautions I should take while setting this up?
My issue is I need physical switchboard panels with push buttons on this layout. As it is a large layout 30' X 50', I would like to have feedback of some sort on the panels for at least mainlines. I would prefer tortoise motors as you can wire up physical feedback, but this is not an option because of the cost. So I need a simple low-cost system to give fairly accurate feedback. I am unable to use the contacts on the motors themselves so it would have to be either controlled by/with the DS64 or just out of it in the wiring going to the switches.
Something almost like a Atlas switch relay would work perfect, however I need something even cheaper than that. With a 100+ turnouts to wire, the cost of the DS64's are already a too much. Eventually I would like to upgrade this layout to include block detection (BDL168) and some sort of signal system but I don't have much of an idea of where to start with that. Should I wait to add feedback when I add in that system? Or is there a better way to add feedback within its own system?
Please help!
Oh and the system is ran by a Digitrax DCS200.
EDIT: I'm doing all this on a club layout, hence club funds. I am not wiring all switches with DS64's. In fact I only have 10 to work with right now until more money is raised. Many of the un-important ones will be using SC8's (don't need feedback but would be nice) as we were donated a bunch of those.
And with another $400 for 40 switch relays on top of the DS64's cost ($500 for the 10 we bought) I need a cheaper solution.
You have got to be kidding,right?? My understanding of a DS64,is that it will control 4 turnouts,at 50.00 per,,with 100 switches,that would be 25 DS64's and you are saying,they are already too much?? I don't know,what you expected,with a layout that size..
I am sorry,,,,,But I can't help you....
Cheers,
Frank
Do you NEED the turnouts to be DCC controlled?
Even if not - to get indicator lights with solenoid switch machines that don;t have contacts is NOT easy. There are some circuits that can do it, such as the one about halfway down this page: http://www.awrr.com/indicator.html The "Deluxe Circuit for 3-wire Twin Coils"
For all the extra cost, the use of a Tortoise really makes it super easy - you can just put LEDs in series with the motor wires and you have position indicators. No extra wires back to the control panel.
Another option that can work with a Digitrax Loconet system is a board like the LocoIO from Hans DeLoof. http://users.telenet.be/deloof/
You can, with careful shopping, build these for less than $30. Each one has 16 lines that can be input, output, or a combo. You can use them just to drive LEDs, programmed to the same address as the DS64 so when the turnout is operated on the DS64, the LEDs driven by the LocoIO will change as well. Or Use half as inputs for the buttons and half for the LEDs - and build control panels that plug intot he layout with nothing more than a Loconet cable and a power supply connection.
Or go buy lots of microswitches and set them up to be operated by the turnout throwbar and wire them to panel indicators. This will give you an actual indication short of a point blade coming loose.
Or yet another alternative, for less than the cost of a Tortoise you cn get a Tam Valley Singlet and a servo, which gives you a control panel unit with pushbuttons and LEDs, plus it's also a DCC decoder. If you have anyone even slightly handy with a soldering iron, get the kits, all you have to do is solder on two LEDs and 2 pushbuttons, takes like a minute, and saves a couple of bucks. Buy the servos on eBay from one of the chinese sellers - I get 6 of them for $13.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.