I’m reading about it as I’d like to plan on adding signaling in the future. I’m not very computer/electronics literate and I’m just looking for a straight answer. How does the 3-over-3 board signals work with this? I understand that the top board is for the main route and bottom is diverging. Will this driver properly display the aspect I want? Simply, I wi***he top board to display the occupancy for the next block when my TO is aligned to my main route, the bottom should just be red. I want the bottom board to display occupancy when the TO is aligned to diverging, and the top red. Also, I know NS uses a yellow-top, flashing green-bottom when one train passes another on double main line traveling same-direction. (I think…) Anyway, I’m looking for these type of prototypical aspects. Will I need software for this? Will this decoder do what I want? Anyone have experience?
No, I don’t have this board. But I do know that it does not contain any logic; the c suffix stands for “computer”. You would need software or e.g. a Team Digital SIC24 board to provide the logic. The SE8c manual can be downloaded from the Digitrax website.
Also this would be an appropriate question for the Digitrax Yahoo group.
Adrian
I plan on using them - those or the RR-CirKits Tower Controller. The SE8C is incredibly cost-effective when you realize how much it can do on one board - not only control the signals but 8 Tortoises PLUS it has inputs for block detection.
Sure you need a computer, but I already have that set up, and using the computer is more flexibe and, depending on the softwrae you use, easier to program than trying to set up logical signal operations in those decoders that support full logic in the board.
–Randy
I emailed Digitrax about this card because I had some of the same questions. Their response was something like, using a computer and the SE8c, you can model nearly any type of signaling you like.
It will control Tortoise type switch machines and has inputs for occupancy detections, but does NOT do occupancy detection itself. You need a BDL16 series or DS?4 Series to do the detection and send the signal to the SE8c. Since we use BDL168’s, this is not a problem for us. I only mention this, because it drives the cost up on your signaling if you want all the prototypical aspects.
Also, you do not have to have Digitrax or Loconet to use this card, You can do all the above with just the SE8c tied to a BDL168 tied to a computer. It does not need a command station.