I have the Digitrax DS64 hooked to four Atlas Snap Switches and powered via DCC track using the Zephyr ( HO scale ). Works beautiful except for approximately every 8 to 10 power ups when as the engines sounds come on, all four turnouts start snapping away throwing in the opposite direction. But the Zephyr displays switch 1 through 4 as untouched from last time I threw them ( It's a Gremlin I tell ya ). I just click whats displayed at the switch setting which will be the opposite throw that the turnout is now and all four turnouts are reset correctly.
Then like I said about the next eighth or tenth time the RR is powered up here we go again "SNAP-SNAP-SNAP-Snap". Good thing I'm not in the habit of parking any of the train/trains on a turnout. I gotta catch this Gremlin he's driving me up a wall.
Any one know what may cause this?
Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.
rockislandnut wrote: I have the Digitrax DS64 hooked to four Atlas Snap Switches and powered via DCC track using the Zephyr ( HO scale ). Works beautiful except for approximately every 8 to 10 power ups when as the engines sounds come on, all four turnouts start snapping away throwing in the opposite direction. But the Zephyr displays switch 1 through 4 as untouched from last time I threw them ( It's a Gremlin I tell ya ). I just click whats displayed at the switch setting which will be the opposite throw that the turnout is now and all four turnouts are reset correctly.Then like I said about the next eighth or tenth time the RR is powered up here we go again "SNAP-SNAP-SNAP-Snap". Good thing I'm not in the habit of parking any of the train/trains on a turnout. I gotta catch this Gremlin he's driving me up a wall. Any one know what may cause this?
Are you powering the DS64 from 12V or from the track power ? I recommend 12V power, especially for solenoid switch motors. Another thing to check is OpSw6. Make sure it is thrown to restore the turnouts to their last condition before powerdown. (page 12 of the manual).
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
Agree with what is said. Ground loop issues can occure when DS54, DS64 are using DCC track for power.
Also your Zephyr might have a few OPSW settings that can cause issues, OPSW 28 thru 46. Read your Zephyr manual. Too long to type it all out here.
Thanks guys.
I've also heard that before about the track power sometimes messing up the DS64 but I've been putting up with this for almost a year now. Time to change to an external 12 volt power supply and tomorrow ( Mon ) it will be done.
Again, thanks.
rockislandnut wrote: Thanks guys. I've also heard that before about the track power sometimes messing up the DS64 but I've been putting up with this for almost a year now. Time to change to an external 12 volt power supply and tomorrow ( Mon ) it will be done.Again, thanks.
One of the main issues about using track power is the short circuit protection. When it kicks in (and it will) it will remove power to the DS64. In your case it sounds like the sound locomotive are dragging down the track voltage when they come on. The QSI units have large capacitors and when they come on they will look like a dead short for an instant to the Zeyphr and anything using track voltage. Likewise if you hit a turnout set in the wrong direction and cause a short on the track, then you lose track pwoer and can't change it back with the DS64. Let's see if the 12V supply fixes the issue.
I run my ds64's with an independant 12v power source and still have the turnouts(occasionally)move to the opposite position on power up
I suggest staggering the values on OpSw 8 across your DS64s so that all don't power up at once, especially if you are powering snap switches. That might help. I have 7 DS64s and all Tortoise switches with an external 3A 12V power supply (for this and some other accessories). I've never had this issue.
After you installed the new power, don't forget to Throw the OpSw 6 as suggested by Engineer Jeff,