jrbernier ...My Digitrax system always is turned on(track power is off). The cab bus provides 'charging' for the batteries. I always plug a throttle into one of the UP5's - the battery charges and I do not have a 'lost' throttle(just like the TV remote)...
...My Digitrax system always is turned on(track power is off). The cab bus provides 'charging' for the batteries. I always plug a throttle into one of the UP5's - the battery charges and I do not have a 'lost' throttle(just like the TV remote)...
Unless you have modified your throttles, having them plugged into a powered UP5 will not charge the batteries.
What I've noticed during shows is that some guys have their battery last all day with no problem, and others are swappign them out every couple of hours. Some people just feel they have to constantly tweak the throttle knob to have a sense of control, even if it's just one click one way or the other. The throttle actually draws little power if you aren't actively pressing any buttons and keep the LCD backlight dim - in a well-lit venue it's not needed. The UT4's do have a sleep mode built in that greatly reduces battery draw. DT402's don't have this but they do have several automatic sleep options that are turned on by default, plus the brightness of the backlight can be lowered to save more battery power.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I use the PowerEX 9.6 volt batteries and charger. I just take them out when I put the throttle back in the pocket. I just turn the track power off but leave the system otherwise powered up and there is a UP5 next to every throttle pocket because I used to use DT-400s. I may try plugging them in and see if they stay charged. My system is plugged into an APC uninteruptible power supply.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I will take the 9 volt batteries anytime over the AA - AAA batteries.
My FRS radios had those JUNK rechargable AA - AAA and I spent more money and time just trying to keep good ones it the radios to use for my OPs Sessions.
I have been trying to figure out how to use the half dead 9 volt batteries (before I whent with the POWER-X units) in my FRS radios.
Most of my FRS units ran on 6 volts - a regular 9 volt battery that won't work in my DT400 Throttles
still has 7.7 volts in it and would power my FRS Radios for a long time - and I have boxes of them left over from my OPs Session over the years!
Some day I may get to doing the conversion!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
The switch being left out is a cop out. They knew very well that customers wanted it before making the 402d but left it out anyway. If they cared even a little about the feedback they would have gone the extra mile and added a jack to re-charge batteries while in the throttle.
There's no reason why the life of the batteries should be so short when the competition gets much more time on a set of batteries while using cheaper AA size.
Springfield PA
Not cheaap but those are the best batteries. Simialr technology is used int eh Sanyo Enloop AA batteries I have for my camera. They all came charged, the first set lasted longer than any other battery I tried in the thing, and when they finally died I just popped in another set that had been sitting int he camera case and they were still nearly fully charged.
MAHA has a huge variety of batteries. There are 8.4 and 9.6 volt versions - always get the 9.6V versions for Digitrax throttles. The slightly cheaper ones are the old style - charge them then throw them in a drawer and thy will go dead in a month or so. The slow self discharge ones are more expensive but definitely worth it especially if they don;t get used daily. Instead of arriving at a show with a bunch of dead batteries that need charging, these will be ready to go even if it's been months since you charged them.
As for adding the switch, they could ahev done this for the DT402, since by rights the whole unit would have needed recertification, not just the new 2.4GHz radio module. HOWEVER, what about people sending DT400's in for upgrade? They would have had to install the switch in every one, since the FCC qualified device would have been the one with the switch on it.
Recertification would cost a fortune but we have been complaining about the lack of a power switch since the DT400R throttle came out. Digitrax could have added a power switch on any throttle along the way. I mentioned it to AJ in 2008 when they let a few folks use beta versions of the 402D. Throttle came out a year later, no switch. Go figure.
FWIW, the best option is to use MAHA 9.6 volt Imedion rechargable batteries. They last longer than any 9 volt battery on the market. They have a new technology that will let a charged battery hold up to 85% of its charge for a year. Mine came fully charged reading 10.3 volts.
Martin Myers
The reason they do not put a switch in the DT402R or the DT402D is that they were certified with OUT the Switch with the FCC.
To add the Switch would require a new Recertification and THAT costs money!
I have no idea what the cost is - but it probably isn't cheap!
So guess what - the price of the DT402 R/D would have to raise up to cover the cost of recertification!
And I KNOW everyone wants that!
Was it an over-site on Digitrax's part - Probably!
After forgetting many times to flip the battery in my DT400r I added a sub-miniature SPST toggle switch in the side of the case just above the battery compartment. I also did it to my UT4r. After someone at my club flipped the battery the wrong way on the clubs throttles and almost melted the cases several times I added switches to those throttles too. The funny thing is now people forget to turn off the switch so the next week the batteries are dead anyway.
Jim, I know it is an off the shelf, in fact the company I used to work for utilized the same molding. Where I place my switch is in almost the identical place to the toggle that the UT4's have. The end panel is the same for both the DT and the UT throttles as the case is the same brand. I have no doubt that Digitrax has thought about the switch issue, it has been raised enough times and it is certainly no secret that many users have made their own solutions. No doubt there are very valid reasons for them not doing it.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Simon,
That throttle case Digitrax uses is a standard off the shelf electonics product. I suspect Digitrax could add a small switch, but that is another assembly operation. Also, I suspect they would get a lot of '800' number calls from users complaining about a 'dead' throttle(switch in 'off' position). The biggest problem we have at the club is batteries that are weak(I lost control of my train). My Digitrax system always is turned on(track power is off). The cab bus provides 'charging' for the batteries. I always plug a throttle into one of the UP5's - the battery charges and I do not have a 'lost' throttle(just like the TV remote). I have even gone to plugging the command station into a cheap computer UPS($40 at Sam's Club). This protects it from power surges.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I am one of those that has voided my warranty! I added a very small toggle switch on the top next to the cable exit on the end panel. I really like having the switch. I use Ultralife 9V lithium batteries with mine and they are tight in the battery slot, so opening the throttle and rolling the battery is a real pain. It is a really easy mod, why on earth it has not become standard on Digitrax I do not know?
The easiest things to do is 'roll' the battery when you are done - the throttle has a diode internally so if you reverse the polarity of the battery. nothing happens other than that the battery is blocked from discharge. Do NOT flip the battery top to bottom, the metal spring on the bottom will be a dead short across the battery and you will end up with a mess.
Some people have altered the circuit to add a switch. Various pictures of this can be found on the Digitrax Yahoo Group. Adding a switch will void your warranty.
Hello,I have a new DT 402D. But there is a problem-the battery inside is after 3-5 days empty. Has anyone built in a switch,or how have others solve this problem?
greetings,Steffen