DCC Turnouts Plan

[fwright]

JGray

I plan to add DCC to 6 existing turnouts on my N scale layout.  The affected turnouts are Peco 55 Electrofrogs and are currently operated manually.  (I'm getting too old and slow to do all the running around.)  My system currently uses a Digitrax Zephyr DCS50, a DT402D throttle through a UR92.  I plan to use Tortoise machines and a DS64 stationary decoder.  If I understand it correctly, I can operate a set of two turnouts simultaneously under one address off one output of the DS64....I plan to power the DS64 off the Loconet as I have read that using track  power causes problems due to noise.  I would appreciate any input/criticism of my plan.  Is there a better way?  Any experience to share?  THANKS,  Jim

I have to ask the obvious - why not just run the Tortoise controls to the fascia near the turnout.  And use a wall wart to power the Torti.

Our club does not want turnouts to be DCC controlled, because it forces hands-on the locomotive and/or cars when somebody accidentally runs a turnout thrown against them.  I believe Free-mo recommendations follow the same reasoning.

Being HOn3, live frogs are a requirement, so having a way to throw the turnout when somebody makes a mistake and shorts the power district is a very nice feature.  The train stops at the wrong polarity frog, the power district shorts, the turnout is thrown correctly, and everything resumes.  If you are really good and nobody else was in the power district, you might get away without being noticed for your screw-up.  

Direct wiring of Torti also saves the costs of the DCC decoder.

just my experiences

Fred W

[bagal]

JGray

I plan to power the DS64 off the Loconet as I have read that using track  power causes problems due to noise.

I run my turnout decoder off track power and haven't noticed any noise problems. All works fine. You could also consider the NCE Switch8. I don't think it has provision for an external power supply, and doesn't support switch inputs but is a lower cots than the DS64. It can also run 2 turnouts per output.

Bill

 

[Hamltnblue]

you dont power the ds64 off of loconet.  use an aux power supply.

[gandydancer19]

 

I also use DS-64's, and I haven't seen anywhere in the instructions that say you can power it off of the LocoNet. Your best bet is to use the Digitrax PS-14 or other external power supply. The LocoNet is only for signal communications to/from the DS-64, not supplying power to the device.

[Texas Zepher]

JGray

I plan to add DCC to 6 existing turnouts.....  I plan to use Tortoise machines and a DS64 stationary decoder.  If I understand it correctly, I can operate a set of two turnouts simultaneously ... off one output of the DS64.

Correct, for crossovers the turnouts both have to be straight or both have to be crossed.  Just put the Tortoise in parallel with each other.

Another option would be to mechanically link both turnouts of the crossover to a single tortoise.

[JGray]

I plan to add DCC to 6 existing turnouts on my N scale layout.  The affected turnouts are Peco 55 Electrofrogs and are currently operated manually.  (I'm getting too old and slow to do all the running around.)  My system currently uses a Digitrax Zephyr DCS50, a DT402D throttle through a UR92.  I plan to use Tortoise machines and a DS64 stationary decoder.  If I understand it correctly, I can operate a set of two turnouts simultaneously under one address off one output of the DS64.  So, I hope to operate two sets of two turnouts each (which will be crossovers on the mainline) off two outputs of the DS64 and the other two turnouts will be operated as singles off the remaing two outputs.  I plan to power the DS64 off the Loconet as I have read that using track  power causes problems due to noise.  I would appreciate any input/criticism of my plan.  Is there a better way?  Any experience to share?  THANKS,  Jim