Rather new to DCC and have been running layout with a DCS51. Just ordered a UT4 as a starter throttle which will arive later this week, so how to get it up and running, I think I know but being new I don't want to miss abything. I will be plugging into the main unit for now but will be buying the extentions. Would also want to know what to buy when I get to that place too, which may be soon or not with all the things going around out here in bayarea California, expecting the big one (earthquake) any day now. Not joking, we have the virus, blackouts, bad air due to wildfires, torental rains from remnents of a hurracane plus a record setting heat wave. Sorry about the rant part.
You can just plug it in to the back. There's nothing to set up. Just read the instructions.
To add more plug locations that aren't the back of the DCS51, you need some UP5 panels. And some cables to link them. You can easily make these with a crimp tool and some ends, or buy premade ones - if they aren't explicitly called Loconet cables as they will at a hobby shop, you want 6p6c data cables (NOT phone - though for a throttle it doesn't make a difference - the problem is, the crossed over cables could come back to bite you later if you expand further - so don;t use them). With just one throttle, you will not need to power the UP5s.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Ahat point do you need to power the UP5 or dose it mater as long as you are only using 1 or two throttles.
Randy, I'll bet a hat he doesn't know the difference between inline and crossover cables, so I'd expound a bit on why there is a difference ... and how they disguised this in router design with four-pair! ... so he has an idea what to watch and test for.
That's why I said Loconet or Data cable,. and NOT phone. Use those with a cable provider (not Loconet, most wouldn't know what that is) or a hobby shop selling premade cables (if they sell DCC cables premade, they darn well better know what a Loconet cable is vs a phone cable, or say an MRC cab cable, which is 8 wire)
As for power - a really long run, say greater than 50 feet, MIGHT require powering the UP5, but a UT4 draws very little power, since there is no LCD with backlight to keep powered. If you are not using block detection, the terminals on the back of the UP5 can tap in to the track bus and provide power, as well as lighting an LED ont he front that lets you know track power is on. But this does not work with block detection as the current drawn by the LED (and then also a throttle plugged in) will trip the detector even when there is no train in that section of track.
Hopefully the order of the items from this link comes out the same as it does for me. Here is one source for pre-made cables:
https://www.monoprice.com/category/cables/data-cables/phone-cables
The first item is shows ie is NOT one you want - it has a 6P4C connector - meaning only 4 of the 6 wires are present. Will NOT work with Digitrax. DO NOT buy that one.
The second item is what you want - 6P6C and it says for data. This is a good one.
The third item I see looks the same - it says 6P6C - but then it says for voice. DO NOT buy this one.
6P means 6 positions (pins) on the connector, 4C or 6C means 4 or 6 conductors in the wire. Digitrax cabling is always 6P6C DATA.
Not affliated with Monoprice, just a multi-time repeat customer. Hard to beat their prices. I hate to think what hobby shops charge - just checked Tony's - a 7 foot is over $6. Modeltrainstuff has a 2 pack of 8' ones for $8. https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/search?search_query_adv=loconet+cable
Even a 25' at Monoprice is under $2. If you have expansion plans, Modeltrainstuff has a kit with cable, ends, crimp tool, and (how many do you need?) an LT1 cable tester for $40.
Color of the cable doesn't matter, but the silver/grey stuff is easier to mark with a black sharpy if you want to directly label the cables as to what goes where.
Got a small layout this time, whole room is 11x12 aprox and only half is trains.
That, and only a single UT4 - you won't have to worry about powering the UP5. I was running a DT400 and DT402 at the same time with no external power, no issues. And no batteries in either throttle.
I still have a DCS50 and 4 UP5's strung out in 2 daisy chains with no issues on a 8' X 19' layout with no issues.
I have on occasion found 6 connector, straight through data cables at the big box stores for very low prices.
Scott Sonntag
Thanks for the info, got the unit and started another thread about problems with it.