NCE - throwing Kato unitrack switches

[w neal]

How?

I have a friend who has a unitrack layout with an NCE powerpro? system. I do not know exactly what decoders he has to run his turnouts. I was attempting to describe how to do the above and failed. The manual was not much help.

Granted - I am sorry for not knowing the particulars of his layout. I was wondering if someone could help me at least start to program the system to throw one of his turnouts.

Thank you!

[railnerd]

NCE makes the "Switch-Kat" decoder for UniTrak or similar turnouts:

https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/200918205-Switch-Kat-for-Kato-Lemaco-or-LGB-remote-control-turnouts

available from the usual places you can buy NCE stuff.

[peteski]

Just because you use NCE DCC command station it doesn't mean you are married to only NCEy decoders.  All brands of mobile and stationary decoders should be fully compatible with your system.

So in case NCE does not make a stationary decoder compatible with Kato switch machines, somebody else probably does.  IIRC Kato switch machines are solenoid-based, have 2 leads and the direction of throw is controlled by the polarity of the DC current applied to those 2 leads.

[Ken Rice]

Does your friend already have decoders hooked up to his switch machines?  (Sort of sounded like that the way you worded your post.)  If so, we need to know exactly which ones to be able to give sensible instructions.

[djconway]

The Digitrax DS64 can be configured to operate the Kato turnouts.

[w neal]

Just found out he is using NCE's Switch Kats for his Kato turnouts.

So how does one throw a turnout under such circumstances?

Thanks much!

[railnerd]

Just found out he is using NCE's Switch Kats for his Kato turnouts.

So how does one throw a turnout under such circumstances?

Thanks much!

Has he programmed the addresses for the switches?  This is done by installing a jumper between the "PROG" and GND pins.

From the manual:

"The Switch-Kat cannot be programmed on your programming track. It is always programmed while connected to the mainline track. This decoder can be programmed by all systems that support accessory control using the procedure below.

To program Switch-Kat to a new address using any DCC system:

1. Connect the track power to the decoder TRACK connections.
2. Connect a short "jumper" wire from the PROG terminal to GND as shown below. If
you have the optional position indicator lights installed they willboth light to indicate
programing mode.
3. Use your DCC system to throw the accessory (turnout) number you wish the
Switch-Kat to use as its address.
4. Remove the jumper wire.

Do not leave the jumper in place after programming or you will not be able to control the switch."



Throwing a turnout from an NCE ProCab or PowerCab (also from the manual):

"CONTROLLING TURNOUTS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES

Press the SELECT ACCY key. Enter the address of the accessory to be operated. Followed by pressing the ENTER key. Valid accessory addresses range from 1 to 2044.

Press 1 to turn accessory ON. (Switch machine set to Normal) Press 2 to turn accessory OFF. (Switch machine set to Reverse)

Note: If you are going to activate the same accessory, just “double-clicking” the SELECT ACCY key will activate it."

[w neal]

TA!

[peteski]

Ah, one of those RTFM moments...