Hmm, I guess I don’t really know how these forums work.
I removed my post as “irrelevant” because I thought that after having read the later posts, I had somehow replied to the original poster (and their 2-year-old post). So I’m not sure how you ended up with an email.
But regardless, I’m glad you got some useful information!
Hey guys, I am the original poster and did retire from a nuclear related career. I still have the DS44 and haven’t gone on to use some of the suggestions even though they are probably what I will do when I get to it. I am currentlly ripping up about 10-12 feet of curved track/roadbed/turnout to fix a problem I should have fixed a year ago. My layout is 18 x 22 feet and I am 71 years old; a lot of work for one man who just last year went to DCC with over 50 engines. I haven’t converted all of them yet but there is still tomorrow (??). Just want to update this thread and to again thank all that contributed.
-Bob
Just a little more info the DS 64 will also operate 8 tortoise machines if you wire them right. They will throw both switches if you are using a passing siding. Jim.
Stevert, when I replied (actually raised a question as a reply) previously, I checked off the “Email me replies to the post” box below. So I got an email each time there was another post in this thread.
Bob, glad to hear about your continuing involvement in model railroading. I am learning more about DCC all the time (got a Zephyr Monday, got a DS64 in the mail the other day) and am working on building my first layout after about 30 years of lurking. My 7 (or so) locos are all DC now, and sing when placed on DCC trackage (controlled as loco # 00, one at a time). I am seriously considering Tsunami 828039 for my old Athearn blue-box SD-24, but won’t need it until I actually have a layout (and who knows how long that will take…).
I changed my Avatar to a representation of my track plan: it’s a duckunder twice-around with staging/fiddle yards on one long side. When asked opinions, fellow members of the Tri-state Model Railroad Club (Mineral Bluff, GA) asked “A duckunder? How old are you?” And “Don’t bother with twin-coil; it’s a false economy of buy cheaper then spend beaucoup time adjusting/correcting the operation. Just start with Tortii now.”
Thanks to all who have helped me (and others) by sharing experiences, thoughts and practices.
DS64 has an advantage over the switch-it (to me). Ds64 requires no DCC power connection to operate on a Digitrax loconet system. Connect auxiliary power in one of several ways listed in the manual and use only a loconet cable for commands from a throttle. Local push-buttons can also be installed for control. I use this on all of my NTRAK modules for turnout control. As long as auxiliary power is on the push-buttons will work even when the DCC command station is turned off.
Martin Myers
At least in a Loconet system - this makes much more sense. Even if you put local pushbuttons ont he DS64, it reports the switch state over Loconet, so it shows up on throttles and on control panels in JMRI. This remains the single biggest advantage Loconet has over the other control buses.
–Randy