Digitrax DS51K1 Stationary Decoder Questions

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I discovered that Digitrax makes the DS51K1 decoder for Kato Switch Machine. It is not the only decoder for this specific work but wanted to ask if anyone has any experience with this decoder?

Im wondering about the amphere rating 1/2 amp for this unit. Is this sufficient to throw the Kato without any concern for burnout? I would hate to see the investment in the switch go up in a puff of smoke.

I am attracted to this decoder because it will eliminate a need to have switches built or wired, just program it off the power bus via the Chief when it is installed.

Will these units accept signalling other than indicating to the Command Station and the DT400 if a switch is closed or thrown? If so, how best to do this?

2

The DS51K1 works fine. You don’t have to worry about burning up the switch because it sends out a brief pulse no matter how long you hold down the button. It is a very basic decoder and does not have any provision for signaling. It will not report to the command station the current position of the turnout, but I believe the Chief will remember the last command sent. One neat feature of this decoder is that it can be mounted inside the roadbed of a Kato #6 switch. It might fit in a #4, but I have not tried it.