Digitrax DS54 Question

[nfmisso]

Dan;

You can do it, but you will blow out the DS54.

Nigel

[DocDan]

I will preface my question with two points. First I want to try this for no real good reason other than I think it would be fun. Second, I already called digitrax tech support and I got a very quick "Can't do it". But of course, true to my long past teen years I want to ask - But why?

Here it is:

I have approximately 50 solonoid-type switch machines. Each one is controlled by miniature push-button controls (one for through and one for diverging) located on control panels with track schematics. There is a common ground that is connected from one machine to the next (in series) and then back to an auxilary power source. Power is also routed through a tortoise capacitor to limit the voltage to a mementary burst to reduce risk of damage to the machines.

What I would LIKE to do is include control with a number of Digitrax DS54 units. The unit draws the DCC instructions from a direct connect to the track power bus. Power is provided through a two wire connection from the aux power pack. From this unit , connection is made to the switch machine with the four wires from a standard telephone connector and wire. Three are used: two for each direction and one ground (green).

My questions are - is it possible to maintain my push button controls and the DS54 at the same time allowing me to alternate between the two systems AND how does the common ground connecting all of the machines figure into this? For example, will be possible for me to leave out the additional ground connection to each machine and if so, do I still connect both wires from the power pack.

Good luck to anyone who can understand the question and has a desire to help tackle the problem.

Thanks in advance.

Dan