Does anybody know what might cause a Digitrax UR91 radio receiver to become unresponsive after 2-3 minutes of operation? It has nothing to do with obstructions, because I can be standing in a particular spot ~6ft from the receiver in a direct line of sight, and can see the green light flicker as a twist the throttle knob. Then 2 minutes later, I'll be in the same spot and the UR91 won't respond at all, i.e. the light doesn't flicker and the train keeps moving when I wanted to stop it. The only way I can regain control is to plug into the nearest Loconet jack.
Anybody else ever experience this problem?
[BTW - I posted this question with the Digitrax Yahoo group but got no replies...]
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
You are using a UR91 - So we are talking radio - correct? There is no 'line of sight' needed. Have you replaced the battery in your throttle with a 'fresh' one. Throttles eat up batteries very fast.
If a fresh battery does not resolve the problem, you need to look further. If you have another throttle, does it loose contact as well? If you have fresh batteries in both throttles, and still lose contact, you may have a UR91 that is going bad(or its 'wall wart' power supply).
My guess is that you have marginal batteries. Loosing control of a train and erratic throttle responsive are classic signs of low battery voltage.
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Digitrax does have a timer running that will sever throttle control if no control commands are issued afte so many seconds. You may want to turn that feature off using the "brain's" OPSW variables.
Losing control does happen to me both at my home layout and at my club, but it doesn't seem to matter where or when, it just happens.
For example, I just did a 2-hour operation session with three operators using 3 DT400R's on one UR91 with a Zephyr command station (there are no other LocoNet devices). None of us lost control even once.
Last month, which was the last time we operated the layout (with no changes from today), all three of us lost control 2 or 3 times each. Why? If I knew, I'd fix it.
Hopefully, the new DT402D will fix this problem.
Paul A. Cutler III*******************Weather Or No Go New Haven*******************
Jim, I realize the UR91 is not 'optical' (like an infrared device) - I just wanted to emphasize that there was nothing to block the radio signal. The throttle batteries were fresh AFAIK - when this problem first appeared during an op sesssion, I had put brand-new batteries in each throttle a few hours earlier.
I did not test the problem with a DT400R - I was always using a UT4-R, so I guess I can still try that experiment.
Even though I bought a wall wart with it when I ordered it from Tony's, I discovered during preliminary testing that it functioned without it as long as I had it connected to the LocoNet - so I didn't bother using the wall wart with it after I installed the system on the layout. Perhaps that could be causing the problem?
Paul, I think I know the feature you're talking about: The throtlle sort of goes to sleep after a few minutes of no commands, and the display reads "r-ps" - I usually have to plug in into the LocoNet to reactivate it. I'm pretty sure that isn't the source of my trouble, but I'd be interested in knowing about how to disable it (what page of the manual, etc.)
You definitely want the wall wart plugged in to power the UR91.
If the throttles go in to power save mode, r-PS, you just need to hold down the power button to wake it up, you don't have to plug back in. Dunno which system you have but in the Super Chief manual this is all on page 98-99, in the Super Empire Builder manual it's pages 93-94, and page 67-68 of the DT400 manual.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
UR91 requires a power supply. That's why Digitrax includes a PS12 with each one.
Martin Myers
rrinkerYou definitely want the wall wart plugged in to power the UR91.
mfm37UR91 requires a power supply. That's why Digitrax includes a PS12 with each one.
Ahhh - it appears like the mystery has been solved!
Thank you all for your replies.
CSX_road_slug Jim, I realize the UR91 is not 'optical' (like an infrared device) - I just wanted to emphasize that there was nothing to block the radio signal. The throttle batteries were fresh AFAIK - when this problem first appeared during an op sesssion, I had put brand-new batteries in each throttle a few hours earlier. I did not test the problem with a DT400R - I was always using a UT4-R, so I guess I can still try that experiment. Even though I bought a wall wart with it when I ordered it from Tony's, I discovered during preliminary testing that it functioned without it as long as I had it connected to the LocoNet - so I didn't bother using the wall wart with it after I installed the system on the layout. Perhaps that could be causing the problem? Paul, I think I know the feature you're talking about: The throtlle sort of goes to sleep after a few minutes of no commands, and the display reads "r-ps" - I usually have to plug in into the LocoNet to reactivate it. I'm pretty sure that isn't the source of my trouble, but I'd be interested in knowing about how to disable it (what page of the manual, etc.)
12V is required to properly run a UR90 or UR91 panel. Loconet is not degined to be a pwoer source for panels. I would highly recommend connecting the walwart and the problem should go away. The Digitrax manual says the 12V is a requirement. From the manual:
22.1 Powering UR90 & UR91 Receivers
For best operation, UR90, UR91 & all UP panels should be powered with a 12V DC external power supply such as the Digitrax PS12. You can run up to 5 UP or UR panels with a single 12-15V DC power supply. The UR91 absolutely must be powered with a 12V DC supply. UR91 & UP Panels can use local track power by connecting the screw terminals on the back of the units to rail A & B of the local track section. If you use local track power, this will impact the power available to run more locos since part of that energy will be used to power the UP/UR panels. We recommend that you power your UPs & URs as shown in Figure 8.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
CSX_road_slugrrinkerYou definitely want the wall wart plugged in to power the UR91.mfm37UR91 requires a power supply. That's why Digitrax includes a PS12 with each one. Ahhh - it appears like the mystery has been solved! Thank you all for your replies.
Maybe. Maybe not. You'll have to try it for yourself and see.
My club has a UR91 and the wall wart is plugged into it. We still get the loss-of-signal problem. We're trying a second UR91 to see if it's a radio interference problem. My gut tells me it's not, though. Sporadically, ALL of the radio throttles will lose contact with the receiver for about 2 minutes at a time. We haven't figured out why either.
I'll be watching this thread with great interest to see if any of us comes up with a permanent solution.
Robert Beaty
The Laughing Hippie
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The CF-7...a waste of a perfectly good F-unit!
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the
end of your tunnel, Was just a freight train coming
your way. -Metallica, No Leaf Clover
Arjay1969I'll be watching this thread with great interest to see if any of us comes up with a permanent solution.
There can be interference in the room from cell phones, garage door openers, metal, etc.
And sometimes our guts get in the way
CSX_road_slug Arjay1969I'll be watching this thread with great interest to see if any of us comes up with a permanent solution. I'll try it tonite RJ, and post the result here when I get a chance.
I'll try it tonite RJ, and post the result here when I get a chance.
Well this may be inconclusive, but I operated for ~ 1 hour this evening with the wall wart plugged in, and I never lost the signal even once! Is it luck - or is it hardware?