On my old layout, my programming track was a stand alone piece, not connected to the rest of the tracks. Locos had to be hand [:(!]lifted on for programming. On my new layout I plan a turnout into the programming track and a DPDT switch to convert from Program to Run. My questions:
I remember reading somewhere that if you drive a DCC loco onto a programming tack (switch in Program position by mistake) you can do some damage. Is that true?
If it is true is there any wiring trick that might prevent the turnout from throwing if the track is in program, or some other safety net – hopefully without having to rely on more switches to remember to throw.
Yes - you can do some damage as you could accidentally back feed the supply back into the command station.
What you need is a switch to isolate the section of track between the active layout and the programming track. Think you need a 4 pole double throw switch for that. So that if you throw the switch for the programming track it also isolates the section of track adjacent to it. that way if you run a loco into the programming track line with the switch thrown it hits the isolated section and stops. Joe Fugate has more information about this on one of his videos - check out siskiyou.railfan.net.
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This may vary by command station. The NCE Powerhouse Pro turns off the power to the main when you select the programming track, so it appears you wouldn’t have a problem. I have a DPDT switch for a convenient siding so I can use it normally, then drive an engine on it, flip the switch, and use it as the programming track.
Thanks for all the help, everyone. I have a Digitrax Zephyr. I’m disassembled right now, so can’t recall if it kills main power when programing or not.
I’m wondering if there might be a way to use the Tortoise aux. switches to force the track power to main if the turnout is directed to the spur, and activate the DPDT only when turnout is pointed to mainline.
I’ll also look for a 4Pdt as suggested… probably would be simpler solution.
I have a DCS100 and set up a 6" DEAD track that is only hot when the Main is on. When youi flip the DPDT to program the siding (30" long) is ready for programing. Flip to Main and it is now a 36" siding with full power. That gives me a 6" buffer in Case I forget.
ALSO I have 2 green lights on the panel that are on when in Main line mode and only (1) is on when in program mode. When all the wires are in there will be a Grn/Red Dwarf that will show the status of the 6" track.
For Digitrax, their manual that comes with your system recommends wiring the programming track as “hot” all the time. That way you can use it as part of your layout, or as a programming track at lower voltage when you go to programming mode.
To go further, you wire in SPDT or SPST toggle switches to turn off the rest of the layout when you want to program an address. On my layout, I have four such toggle switches to isolate parts of my layout.
With Ops Mode programming being so prevalent now, programming addresses is really the only time you need a programming track. All the other CVs can be programmed while the loco is operating on the layout.