If any of you use or have read the documentation on the Wabbit w/ FB, please comment on this: The Wabbit documentation says that the FB portion of the board is provided on 2 optically isolated outputs. If you want to read the status of your switches with JRMI or some PC based LocoNET application, this Feedback, FB, is handy. But, the FB has to be fed to say a DS64 to become 'available' on the LocoNet network according to page 11 of the Wabbit documentation. This seems to be a problem. If you have to buy a DS64 with 4 outputs for switch machines, why would you need a Wabbit which only controls two. And, if the docs are correct, the Wabbit doesn't really feed back anything to LocoNet without a DS64. Can you help me understand this? I am interested in computer control and knowledge of a switch's position.
Excellent point. The Wabbit has no direct LocoNet interface, but it can connect to the sensor inputs of a DS64 or SE8C to generate LocoNet messages reporting turnout status to JMRI. IMO, unless you want to take advantage of the automatic trigger features of the Wabbit, you might as well stay with the DS64 or (if you don't require commands via the track)the SE8C to operate your turnouts.
I am also interested in having my computer control my trains. My plan is to get a Tower64 gadget from RRCirkits to handle all feedback from track occupancy as well as Tortoise switch motors. If you have a lot of sensors on your layout, this might be a cheaper way to proceed.
The only reason I see for using a Wabbit is if you need the "Auto Throw" feature. If you do use the "Auto Throw" or the push-button inputs of the Wabbit and you need to keep track of the turnout position then yes, you do need to add something to get the feedback onto Loconet, but the DS64 is just one option. You could also use an SE8C(expensive, but might make sense if you plan do to any signalling), or there are several options from Team Digital and CML Electronics.
Ok, so from what I am hearing, the auto throw feature is a feature of the Wabbit in addition to stall motor control. The optical outputs are a feature to enable a feedback loop. Also, you can use toggle switch to manually control stall motors as well. With the DS64, you get turnout control, but no ability to manually control stall motors with switches, so they really have no feedback either. They just know how they are currently 'set'. Hmmm. I am not sure I like either one of my options. I bought the Wabbits not fully understanding that they did not report turnout position on LocoNet by themselves. My mistake. I am not interested in auto throw at all, but the selling point to me was the feedback loop. I guess I missed this detail....
With the DS64, you can manually control the turnouts with pushbuttons using the inputs on the DS64, and the DS64 will report back through Loconet any changes you make using the pushbuttons.
A DS64 can be set up to take commands from the track, from LocoNet and/or from external pushbuttons. It will report the pressing of the buttons, but if you want to have positive confirmation of turnout position (i.e., did it really do that?), you will need to use the auxiliary contacts on the Tortoise to trigger sensor inputs, which will in turn generate LocoNet feedback messages. Both the DS64 and SE8C provide sensor inputs (4 and 8 each, respectively).
