I am experimenting with running Tortoise machines on a few of my N scale layout’s turnouts. I have a Digitrax Zephyr. I bought a NCE Switch-8 stationary decoder. Today, I did a temporary setup of the components and ran into a problem. I wired the Switch-8 to track power as directed and I removed the setup jumper. I then wired the Switch-8 outputs #1 and 2 to inputs #1 and 8 on a Tortoise #88-6000. About 3 seconds after I turn on track power, the Tortise cycles from one side to the other and stops. I then set the Zephyr to Switch function, address 001 and try to operate the Tortoise. There is no response on either the t or c key. I tried another Tortoise machine and got the same results. What am I doing wrong?
Default if that outputs 1-8 are address 1-8. However, if the program jumper was in place the first time you powered everything up, the first few addresses could be something different from Digitrax doing a status query on power up.
If you really want the addresses to be 1-8 (not recommended - because if you add a second board, by default IT will also be 1-8, Kind of like how it’s not a good idea to leave a loco decoder on address 3. The default used by a new device should not be used as the final functional address unless there is no choice), turn the switch to position 0, put on the program jumper, and select switch 001 and operate it. Then remove the program jumper. Complete for each output, per the Switch-8 instructions.
No, I did not program the outputs. I simply accepted what the instruction sheet for the Switch-8 gave as the factory default programming. In that table, it states that the outputs #1 and 2 are accessory address 1. I then set the throttle to switch address 001 and worked the t and c buttons. I will try running all eight sets of outputs through programming using the Digitrax throttle and see what happens. It will probably be tomorrow before I get around to it, but I will let you know what happens.
Thank you Randy! Every time I have posted a plea for help on this site, you have provided an answer. I’m grateful you are out there. See my reply to Maxman. I will run the Switch-8 through a complete programming of all 8 pairs of outputs using the Digitrax throttle. I’ll let you know the outcome. It may be tomorrow.
I got around to programming. Its not exactly as the instructions say to do it, but it worked. I turned on the track power and set the Switch-8 selector to “0”. I then installed the jumper, hit the “Switch” button on the throttle, and input 001. I then removed the jumper. The Tortoise machine would not respond until the jumper was removed. Now when I address 001 on the throttle in the “Switch” position, the Tortoise responds to the t and c commands. Evidently, the default address was 1 and the throttle was calling for a 001 address. I wired a second Tortoise in parallel with the first on the #1 and 2 outputs of the Switch-8 and the two run great in sync. with each other. This is what I want as my plan is to be able to activate two ends of a siding in a hidden staging yard so that trains can pass without my having to run to the site and activate the turnouts. I guess that the Switch-8 could run up to16 Tortoise machines in pairs(8 pairs) if needed using this method. I see what Randy was saying about the addresses. Instead of addresses from 1-8 on the Switch-8, it now has addresses from 001 to 008. If I were to add another Switch-8, it could be addressed from 009 to 016. I could control up to 999 turnouts if I happen to win the lottery.