Howdy folks, I thought I would ask here first since you all know your stuff and have great ideas and give good advice. - What I have - I have a med/large layout, 18' x 12' with 10' and 8' penninsulas, that I converted to DCC about 7 years ago. I installed the Digitrax Zephyr with UP5 & UR90 panels with DT400 and UT4 throttles and two DS64 quad stationary decoders for Kato switches on the lower level staging. Has been a great system from the start. Some recent changes and desire to run more locos brought on some additions the last two months. I added a DB150 booster over the break and installed the jumper per directions(Config A to Ground) as I am using the Zephyr as a stationary throttle and the programming throttle. Installed the power supply and wired it into the Loconet. Fired it up last night and all is well.....until I noticed a buzz coming from some where, it was one of the MRC Auto reversing modules. Didn't have any shorts or other issues during testing but played it safe and replaced it with a Digitrax AR1 this afternoon. No buzzing and works perfectly. The other MRC module will be replaced tomorrow just to keep it all the same. In the initial start up everything was fine but I have questions that I am not finding answers for. 1. When powered up the DB150 Track Status is always on, when I depress the power button on the Zephyr its Track Status light goes off. Status lights on the panels around the facia stay 'on' as well. The DT400 elicits the same response, depress the power key and then n- , DB150 status light stays on, Zephyr track status goes off, panel track status lights remain lit. Where did I go wrong? 2. With an engine on the track and the Zephyr on, the loco runs smooth and quiet with the usual throttle response. When I drop the locos address and turn the Zephyr off the loco will pulse/move forward. Hmmm, I have obviously made a mistake but after backtracking and double checking I'm coming up blank. 3. Is it alright to leave the programming track leads connected to the Zephyr? My programming track is a siding that is isolated and switched so I can bring a loco and or train in above my work bench where the Zephyr also sits. Any ideas or experienced critiques would be welcome. I haven't burned anything up, have created no smoke or small fires - but something isn't right. Thanks in advance - sitting at the computer not in the train room! Charlie Golden Spread & Palo Duro Rail Company
Power status of the DB150 booster is controlled by the activity on the two RailSync lines in the LocoNet connection. If only one is active, the DB150 interprets this as "track power off". It's a known (but obscure) issue that when a Zephyr first powers up, the RailSync outputs on the rear LocoNet jacks indicate track power should be on, even if the Z's status light indicates track power is off (and it is - for the Z). Using the power button to turn track power "on" then "off" will result in the DB150 getting with the program. You should also be sure to provide a robust "common" connection between the Z and DB150 "ground" terminals, rather than relying on the Loconet ground. Hmmm indeed. By turning the Zephyr off, I assume you mean turning off track power. Do you have the power districts powered by the Z and the DB150 separated by double gaps/insulated joiners? It sort of sounds like the track outputs of the two units may be connected somehow. Yes, but be careful that you don't let a loco bridge the gaps when in programming mode, as bad things can happen. Many folks include a short section of track on the approach to the programming siding that is turned off entirely (effectively creating an extra large gap) so as to avoid this possibility.
Doug, Thank you for the feedback. I have left everything off waiting for some idea of what I did/didn't do. Looks like I'll be doing some investigating and reworking this weekend. I truly appreciate the info. Charlie
Are you sure that you havent forgot to change one of the option switches from the command mode or too the command mode in either/or the zeffer or the db150 you can have only one comand station per layout........ Alan c.
