Electronics and DCC

Friends,

 In trying to learn how to use the Digitrax DT 400 with a DB 150 by following the manual, I quickly found the page (pp. 7,8) to turn power on and off.  I was able to turn the power off with the Power button and the N- buttons, but, can not get the  track power back on with the Power and Y+ buttons.  In fact, nothing is visable on the screen.

 I moved and hooked  my Zephyr  to the layout to insure that wiring and LocoNet were hooked up correctly and the layout and trains worked perfectly.  The DT 400 also works with the Zephyr.

 Does anyone have any thoughts about how to make the DT 400 work with the DB 150.

 Thanks, Bill

Hi, Bill.

Are the buttons sticking any? If you don't get a beep that may be the problem. My DT400 does it every now and then. Make sure you press down "firmly" and get a tone. Check for the (VERY)  little dot in the upper right of the display. PITA, but I really like my SEB.

Terry

Hi Terry,

 Thanks for the quick reply.  I have held the button down firmly,  but get absolutely nothing.  The DB 150 continues to show Track Status light unlit and there is no small dot on the controller showing where the book says it should be.  I just do not get any kind of response, nor a beep, from either DT 400 or DB 150.

 Again, thank you so much.  I shall continue trying everything suggested.  If the Zephyer did not work perfectly in same place, I would start on wiring, buty the Zephyr does work.

Again, thanks,

Bill

 Do you have the mode switch on the front of the DB150 set to RUN, and not SLEEP or OP?

                                   --Randy

Hi Randy,

 Have it set to "Run" Mode.

 Thanks, Bill

I have the Digitrax Super Chief and had your type of problem a couple of times. The first time really freaked me out but found that by turning everything off...waiting a minute...when I turned it back on it worked fine.

Mainetrains

when the dt400 is plugged into the db150 you should see the word idle visible on the screen display. turn the mode switch on the db150 to run. press the power button on the dt400 followed quickly by the Y button. the red track power light on the db150 should light and the lcd dot on the dt400 should be on. since you know that the dt400 works with the zepher the db150 may be at fault. using the decoder and loconet tester that came with your system plug a loconet cable into the db150 and plug the loconet tester into it. all four of the led's should light up. is the power supply supplying power to the db150? is the green power on light in the lower left of the db150 on? with the mode switch in the sleep position is the red led under it lit?  when you plug your dt400 into the db150 does the led screen display all the indications and then show a voltage before it shows idle?

Hello Retsignalmtr,

Thanks for your detailed reply.  I'll try to respond to each of your suggestions.

 "When the dt400 is plugged into the db150 ...should see..word idle.

Absolutely nothing comes on screen display therefore I cannot follow through with the following suggestions re power button, etc.

The power light on the DB  150 comes on and it beeps once so there is some power.  However, the Track Status light does not come on and the Off Line light continues on.   Since I can get no response with the dt 400, I cannot continue with suggestions nor can I reset the 150 I wonder if the power pack is providing some power but not enough?

 Again, thanks for your suggestions and please accept my apprection,

 Bill

try the test using the loconet tester. you do not have to use the dt400 to turn on the track power for this. plug in the loconet tester to the db150 with the mode switch in the sleep position. one led should light. turn the mode switch to run and all four led's should light. if you don't get this indication your db150 may be defective. did you try it in both loconet ports on the db150?  did you just purchase it? call digitrax monday morning and talk to their tech people. they have been very helpful to me when i have had a problem. i just had a dt400 belonging to my club repaired and it took about a month to get it back.

 Also, have you tried both Loconet jacks on the DB150?

If you don;t have any trains on the track, the DB150 won't need all that much power amp-wise to get it to run - although to make sure there is no problem you really should be using a power supply capable of putting out the full 5 amps. If you are using an old power pack - do you have sufficient voltage? If you have a meter, measure the input voltage to the DB150 with it all turned on - if it's below 12-14 volts it's probably not going to work properly.

                                                 --Randy

 Is this DB150 being used as a command station/booster or just as a booster?

You also  mentioned a Zephyr. If the DB150 has the jumper installed between Config A and Ground, it is set to be a booster only. If that's the case, track power will not come on unless it's connected to a command station. DB150 also has an OP Switch to make it booster only. I would reset the DB150 by closing OP Switch 39.  See the manual under "DB150 Option Switch Set Up."

Martin Myers

Thanks or the several replies on my problem with the DB 150.  Our local hobby store, after measuring voltage (over 18) from the power pack I was using, thinks there is a fair chance I have damaged the DB 150 so I'm packing it and sending it to Digitrax to see if that is so, and to get an estimate for any needed repair.

 I certainly appreciate the help of each of you and will post a reply after hearing from Digitrax.

Bill