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Digitrax UT4R problem

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  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 1,932 posts
Posted by Stevert on Sunday, February 27, 2011 11:04 PM

OK LANDING

I'm a little confused about the rating of the PowerEx 9.6 volt battery at 230mah,  when a typical NMH AA cell is rated at 2500mah. What am I missing?

Errol

Errol,

  The AA cells are just that, a single cell.  On the other hand, the 9.6v Powerex batteries consist of 8 smaller cells in series. 

  Since those 8 cells are (individually) smaller than the one AA cell, their current rating is lower. 

  And when connected in series, their voltage is additive, but their current is not.

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Vernon BC
  • 28 posts
Posted by OK LANDING on Sunday, February 27, 2011 10:42 PM

I'm a little confused about the rating of the PowerEx 9.6 volt battery at 230mah,  when a typical NMH AA cell is rated at 2500mah. What am I missing?

Errol

       Errol

__________________________________________________

Modeling Canadian Pacific's Okanagan Branch In The 1950's

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Kansas
  • 808 posts
Posted by jamnest on Sunday, February 27, 2011 12:44 PM

Switch to rechargeable batteries.  When the 9V batteries drop to arround 7v the Digitrax radio throttles become unresponsive.  I have both R and D Digitrax throttles and switched to Powerx recharageable batteries.  You can buy Powerx batteries and rechargers through Amazon and other online retailers.  I have two 4 battery recharger units that also came with a car charger, which is great for train shows.

Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Sunday, February 27, 2011 10:44 AM

 We no longer even bother witht eh R throttles, as we often set up in locations with multiple display layouts, and they ALWAYS put us next to some NCE guys. Their radio completely destroys the 900MHz R throttles for Digitrax, so we've switched over to all D throttles on 2.4GHz. We use ordinary rechargeables (forget the brand, but NOT the junk sold by Energizer), which don't last nearly as long as tha Maha ones, but we have enough for 3-4 batteries per throttle, so some are always charged. We have a 9V charger that does 8 at a time. The Maha ones are probably worth it, but they are NOT cheap. The lack of self-discharge alone makes it worth it if signigfcant time elapses between operating sessions. Unlike ordinary nimh batteries, these will still be charged up 3-4 weeks later (assuming you take them out of the throttle). They seem to be similar to the Sanyo Enloop AA batteries I have - a year after purchase and I STILL have not charged any, my camera takes 2 and I'm now using the third set just as they came from the package, without charging.

                   --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

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

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Sunday, February 27, 2011 8:39 AM

Another thing to check is the reception.  How large is the layout and placement of the UR91?  We have 3 of them at our club and they are mounted above the layout to reduce interference. 

 

Springfield PA

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Charlotte, NC
  • 6,099 posts
Posted by Phoebe Vet on Sunday, February 27, 2011 8:32 AM

I use PowerEx rechargeable my 402Ds and UT4D.

The last a long time and recharge quickly.

They are available from Batteries Plus stores and on line.

http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=273 

You have to use their charger.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Winter Garden, FL
  • 1,546 posts
Posted by Curt Webb on Sunday, February 27, 2011 8:17 AM

I use a DT402D throttle. I am not very knowledgable about all the in's and out's yet, but I know you can deselect the sleep/hibernate feature. A friend did this for me and  it solved a lot of my issues. The downside to this is it goes thru a battery in a couple of hours. To compensate for this I plug into UP-5's (club) when it willl be a bit of time before I need to use it. Doing this lets me use a battery for 4-5 hours (Duracell). I am seriously considering going the rechargable route.  

Curt Webb

The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad

http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Elizabethtown, KY.
  • 78 posts
Posted by SWA737 on Sunday, February 27, 2011 7:52 AM

Thanks for the help. I'll look into that.

Rob

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Elizabethtown, KY.
  • 78 posts
Posted by SWA737 on Sunday, February 27, 2011 7:51 AM

Using a UR91.  Didn't see that about the light in the abriviated instructions.

Thanks, Rob

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Westchester NY
  • 1,747 posts
Posted by retsignalmtr on Sunday, February 27, 2011 7:18 AM

I have a UT4r that i've not had too many problems with, the exception being that the unit goes into the power saving or sleep mode not long after unpluging sometimes and I lose control if I don't make a speed or other command change often. I have minimized this by using my thumb on the control knob to move it a little every few minutes. When I do lose complete control even the brake switch will do nothing to stop a moving train.

Several members of the club I belong to have problems similar to yours where the unit goes into the sleep mode too quickly and they have to replug the throttle to regain control. I suggested they send them to Digitrax as they were still under warranty, but they did not, so they just live with it. After checking that you have a good battery, and you don't have a pushbutton stuck, you might open the case to see if the wires from the battery terms are not broken as I had on my DT400 last week. When I made the repair I also took the time to install a sub-mini toggle switch so I no longer have to turn the battery (yes there is room in there). I did it to my UT4r two years ago. If it continues contact Digitrax. It may take a month or more if you have to send it to them.

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Elizabethtown, KY.
  • 78 posts
Posted by SWA737 on Saturday, February 26, 2011 11:27 PM

It was a new battery but maybe bad from the store. I run on a club layout so it  will be a few days before I can get back there and try another one.

Thanks,

Rob

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Saturday, February 26, 2011 11:10 PM

 Sounds like maybe a dead battery, did you try a fresh battery?

                       --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

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

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Elizabethtown, KY.
  • 78 posts
Digitrax UT4R problem
Posted by SWA737 on Saturday, February 26, 2011 10:59 PM

When I unplug my UT4R Throttle the green light stays on for a couple seconds and then turns dim red. I have control of the engine afterwards but not continuously. Some times it will not respond to me stopping and will keep running to the point I have to lift it off the track. Any ideas on why the light will not stay green ?

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