Fool Proofing the DCC Programming Track

[Isambard]

Our club would be interested in hearing about practical schemes used by others to prevent inadvertently leaving the programming track un-isolated from the rest of the layout, leading to programming locomotives other than the candidate loco.
We have several members who are not good at ensuring switches are in the right positions, despite repeated eductional efforts. We're thinking about a key activated switch, maybe with a warning light on when in programming position and the key (fixed to a big tag or paddle) to be held by the dispatcher.
[:)]

[NZRMac]

more importantly having main track current flow into your programming track, not good for the DCC controller at all.

Have a seperate track for programming away from the main track. you would have to place loco's on it buy hand.

[2c]Ken.

[jfugate]

The best way to do this is to use a 4PDT switch to create totally dead track sections on both ends of the programming track section.

Make the programming section longer than the longest single loco you'll ever have (24" in HO ought to do it), then put 24" dead sections on both ends of that programming track section.

With the 4PDT switch, you can wire things so that thrown one way, all track sections are powered as normal, and thrown the other way, the middle track section is connected to the programming outputs of your command station, and it's surrounded by dead sections so it's physically impossible to bridge the two sections with a loco and short out your command station's programming circuits with main track power (BAD).

If someone forgets to switch it back, any loco will hit the dead section and stop. Everyone will instantly realize you forgot to throw the programming track section switch from "program" back to "run". No harm done ... just throw the switch back and all's forgiven!

That's how we do it on my HO Siskiyou Line and it works quite well. Never had a mishap in 11 years of DCC. Oh we've forgotten to throw the switch back to run now and then, but not a big deal. A quick flip of the swich and things are back to normal.

[Isambard]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

more importantly having main track current flow into your programming track, not good for the DCC controller at all.

Have a seperate track for programming away from the main track. you would have to place loco's on it buy hand.

[2c]Ken.

Hi down under!
Ken, please expand on the perils to the DCC controller of main track current flow into the programming track.
Cheers
Isambard
[:)]

[Bikerdad]

The simplest method is to have a completely distinct track, set up at the club's dispatch station,as the programming track. The track isn't even on the layout. You could even, if you wanted to, dedicate an "old/retired" command station that will support the type of programming need (2 digit or 4) as a programming station. The programming station isn't hooked up to the layout either.

[NZRMac]

My Lenz instructions said that was a no-no the lower powered program track would be permanately damaged.

[rrinker]

Fool proof? The only TRULY foolproof method is to A) make sure you are using a DCC system with a dedicated program track output and B) put that track somewhere with no turnouts, liftouts, NOTHING connecting it to the main line.
And further away from the main line than typical alligator clip leads reach.

Anything else, it may SEEM foolproof, but then the better fool will come along and prove you wrong.

--Randy

[selector]

Agree with Randy. Program in another building if you have to, but keep the programming track completely apart, in every sense, from our layout. Means picking up the loco and placing down a couple of times, but who cares? The loco will remember its new 'personality' when you put it back on your layout.

It is the only foolproof way.

[jwr_1986]

Another method similar to the 4PDT swith would be to use a DPDT Center off in the configuration (on)-off-on () denotes momentary. That way the person programming would have to hold the switch during programming and if he/she let go the track would simply be dead. the 4PDT idea is very good though if I had the room I might go with that. Hope this helps

Jesse

[ClinchValleySD40]

Forget about connecting it to the layout through a switch. You will forget and you will be sorry. Keep the track completely separate, not connected to the layout in any way. It's much better to have to pick an engine up and move it from track to track than take the big risk of blowing your system. And if you can afford it, get a second command station to use for the program track and keep as a backup in case something happens to the main station. This is especially important in clubs and large layouts.