Digitrax DS 64

[carlso]

John, I checked out the program and loaded it onto a disk. the problem is we do not have internet where the layout is. We do have a computer that we use JMRI with and obviously the PR3, or whatever. I am going to take the disk and see if I can use it.

carl

[trainforfun]

I don't know if I mentioned that the DS64's are daisy chained to loconet and that the two are powered by one PS14, if that is the number of the Digitrax power source. Perhaps that is not enough power and I should put a separate 12-14v power to the second DS64. One other thing that I can't find in Digitrax is how to identify the additional DS64's. I programed the second one as #2 but now I see somewhere that default is #100, so maybe I should make #2 DS64 as #200. ? ? ? ?

Carl

My DS64 are daisy chain and powered from the bus line , I don't think this is the source of the problem .
You say your turnout are 1 to 4 and 5 to 8 . That is fine , but what number do you use for your routes ?

Also I have not renamed the DS64 , I did not saw anywhere to rename . As long as your output or turnout are not named the same . My routes use up to 8 turnouts on one command .

[carlso]

Routes are #101, 102, 103 and so on.

Carl

[trainforfun]

Like John said did you try to reset the faulty one ? On page 11 and 12 you can do that by using your DT400 , you don't need a computer hooked up to the system .

[carlso]

Yes, it worked. I reset the unit to factory defaults and started over. I gave the unit an ID of #2 and set the four switches, worked great, then set the routes although I had difficulty with return routes. All working fine. Aint technology great.

Thanks for the help!

Carl

[trainforfun]

Glad for you , it is so frustrating when there is a bug like that !

[carlso]

Louis,

Yes sir it is very frustrating and I am not real long on patience so . . . . However, I still don't think the Digitrax manuals are very good. For example, The only thing that I could find regarding reverse routes says "simply enter a reverse route". It doesn't say when, such as you should exit the route setting and then start with setting reverse routes. I did that and the second one entered takes precedence so you only have a closed route throwing.

Carl

[trainforfun]

Louis,

Yes sir it is very frustrating and I am not real long on patience so . . . . However, I still don't think the Digitrax manuals are very good. For example, The only thing that I could find regarding reverse routes says "simply enter a reverse route". It doesn't say when, such as you should exit the route setting and then start with setting reverse routes. I did that and the second one entered takes precedence so you only have a closed route throwing.

Carl

A reverse route is a new route totally , you just cannot push a button to reverse it .
But really do you have to undo it ?
Just push a new route and that's it . You don't really have to reset them all to straight or normal .
And yes their "books" are not simple or user friendly .

What do you think of a routing system ? Isn't a summum of joy when everything is fine ?   

I remember when I received my first system , it took me a while to install it , I was afraid only by a look at the "book"  !!! 

[carlso]

Louis,

Yes, I think I need to undo a route. Reason being that this set up is on a club layout and we have some operators, and I include myself, that are not real savvy on the Digitrax system so I think that it would be easy for any operator to throw the turnout, place train in siding, and then close the same route to line-up the main again. If they have to enter another route to line-up the main, I think we are asking for problems with turnouts not be realigned.

I like the routes.

Carl

[trainforfun]

I understand , I am a lone operator and I sometime forget things , but that could be my age also ...   

[carlso]

Hey, hey, hey. I got them setup today and the routes work perfectly.

Carl