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Problem programing DS64 routes

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PED
  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 571 posts
Problem programing DS64 routes
Posted by PED on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 12:10 PM

I am having a problem programing a route into a DS64 that is triggered by a pushbutton. As far as I can tell, all is wired correctly but the DS64 does set the route when I push the correct pushbutton. Here is my situation:

- I wired a pushbutton to a specific route in the DS64. 

- I used JRMI to load the route into the correct route slot in the DS64 tied to the pushbutton. I am using a  virtual address as my top address. Last switch address is repeated per instructions

- I can now use my throttle and run the route OK

With that setup, here is what is happening:

- I have OpSw 11 = c. This is per manual as well as Digitrax tech info. With this as the only OpSw change, the pushbutton causes the turnout associated with that DS64 input to toggle between thrown/open but will not run the route

- Here is where it gets strange. The manual says to leave OpSw 15 in its factory setting (thrown) because that feature has not been implemented yet. Meanwhile, the Digitrax tech info (KB393) says to set OpSw 15 = c, otherwise it will prevent the local trigger from directly triggering the outputs. I tried to change OpSw 15 in JMRI and it will not make that change. I then made the change with my throttle directly to the DS64 and that would change OpSw 15 to c. However, when I do that, nothing happens when I trigget my pushbutton. ( I can still run the route from my throttle).

I can play around with the setting but I always get the same result with whatever combination I set.

At first I thought perhaps I needed to update the firmware in my DS64 but after searching Digitrax, there is no download for a DS64 update.

I am now stuck. Any ideas what is the problem?

Paul D

N scale Washita and Santa Fe Railroad
Southern Oklahoma circa late 70's

PED
  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 571 posts
Posted by PED on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 12:38 PM

Update - as I messed around with it some more, I discovered that if I got rid of the virtual address as a top address and used a switch in the route sequence as top address, the pushbuttons works correctly. However, the problem with that no address in any route can include the top address I would be using. If any route uses that top address anywhere in its route, it would create confusion in the route structure. Not sure what would happen but that is a no no.

Don't know why using a virtual address would cause a problem but its not supposed to. Digitrax recommends use of virtual address in this situaltion and their examples use that approach. 

Unless someone knowns how to fix this, I will press on without virtual addresses and figure out something to avoid address conflicts.

Paul D

N scale Washita and Santa Fe Railroad
Southern Oklahoma circa late 70's

PED
  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 571 posts
Posted by PED on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 3:01 PM

False alarm. After setting up a different DS64 with pushbuttons, everything worked OK on it. Went back to original DS64 and discovered that I had cross wired two switches to the wrong terminals. Fixed that and all is good.

Love the pushbutton routes. Makes routing with yards and complex switch situations much easier without trying to remember all the turnout positions.

Paul D

N scale Washita and Santa Fe Railroad
Southern Oklahoma circa late 70's

  • Member since
    March 2019
  • 1 posts
Posted by Ronatu on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 3:21 PM

Hi, I am new at that.
Just trying to organize 2 routs between 4 turnouts and would like to DS64 chose wich one to use (depending locos location and direction).
Do you know hopw to do so?
I would attache photos, if I knew how... :)

PED
  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 571 posts
Posted by PED on Thursday, March 21, 2019 8:41 AM

Ronatu,

Its not difficult but can seem that way until you figure it out. Strart be reading the manual. If you are setting up a 4 turnout route, I would suggest you do following

1) Set up a "top address". Call it anything you want such as 200c. That will be the address for that specific route. That address is unique. Do not use it for any other address.

2) Load the 4 turnouts in a DS64 with a t/c setting according to whatever setting you need to follow that route. Example - 200c/1c/2t/2t/4c. In this example, 200c is the trigger for this route and then the 1c, 2t, 3t and 4c the turnout in the route.

3) Once loaded into the DS64, select switch 200c and the DS64 will do the rest.

Paul D

N scale Washita and Santa Fe Railroad
Southern Oklahoma circa late 70's

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, March 22, 2019 9:09 PM

 The videos by Ben Lake from the Candian Canyons project are a pretty good place to start for setting up a DS64 with a pushbutton to control the route.

                                   --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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