DCC question

[Anonymous]

I currently purchased a Digitrax Empire Builder and I tells that a program track must be made. The diagram given does not show all the wiring needed. Does anyone know what is meant by "double gaps"? in the track. Any help would be appreciated or where I could find a good wiring diagram. Thanks

[Anonymous]

It basically means the program track needs to be isolated from the rest of the layout electrically.
This is usually done by putting gaps between both rails , and running power to the isolated section

[greendiamond]

Donald:

You can either use a totally separate piece of track not on your train layout or us a siding track which you 'isolate' from the rest of the layout by placing insulating rail joiners (plastic) on both rails that connect that track with the rest of your layout. This keeps this track from electrically connecting with the rest of the layout.

The whole reason for this is that the Empire Builder has a 'broadcast' programmer. That means that anytime you program locomotives the programming message goes out to your whole train layout and may affect all locomotives you have on the layout at that time.

So there are three basic ways of handling this:

1) Make sure only the locomotive you are programming is on the layout.

2) Separate programming track not connected to the layout at all

3) Use an isolated siding on the layout for programming purposes.

If you choose options 2 or 3, you will need to feed the Rail A and Rail B outputs of your DB150 to the center two contacts of a Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) Switch. Connect the layout feed to two contacts on the left and programming track to the two contacts on the right. (This is assuming you are looking at the switch which has six contacts on the bottom of it and you see three contacts on the top row and three contacts on the bottom row). This will direct the output of the DB150 to either your layout or the programming track.

PS Make sure the switch you buy can handle 5 amps so you don't burn out the switch.

If you need any more help, contact me at

[e-mail]

Michael Tyl
Green Diamond Hobbies
Authorized Digitrax, Lenz, NCE and Soundtraxx Dealer

[BR60103]

Donald:
For practical reasons, put the programming track next to where you have a controller so you can watch what is happening.
Make sure the track ends in a solid bumper in case your loco takes off; 2 solid bumpers if you choose the separate track option.
--David