When setting up a yard, crossing, etc, that has multiple turnouts, it’s always handy to be able to hit one switch to control said turnouts, as opposed to hitting a switch for each turnout.
In days of gone by, there was the diode matrix (I believe it was called) among other techniques.
When using a stationary decoder for DCC:
Is this possible?
How many turnouts can one decoder handle? How is this determined? Rating of the decoder divided by draw of turnout device equals number of devices it can handle?
Works for motors and twin-coil?
Programmed how in the DCC throttle? Not looking for specific directions, just an overview of the process.
There are different models of stationary decoders for different types of turnout controls, such as for Tortoise stall motor only, twin coil switch machine only, or both; and to control only one turnout, two turnouts, or up to four turnouts – so your questions have no easy answer.
Check the following sites and read about the different brands of stationary decoders that are available:
Perhaps you’ve programmed a Macro into your computer keyboard.
In DCC, a Macro is a switch list. With one keystroke on your throttle, you throw many turnouts, or operate many stationary decoders.
A Macro can operate as few as 1 decoder.
You devise the switch list, and then program it into your system using the throttle…very easy.
When a decoder can handle more than one turnout, such as NCE’s new Switch-8 that can operate up to 8 Tortoise machines, each machine can have its own decoder address … each output of the decoder can have a completely different accessory address.
So, you can devise all sorts of switch lists, with some turnouts being thrown by more than one switch list.
Yes…it is the number of the Macro. Such as Macro #01 or 02 or 12 or 122, etc. You pick the Macro’s number for each of your switch lists.
Better living through electronics, I say. [:)]
Hope some of this helps. I’m new to all this, also … so, take what I say with a grain of salt. I only have a very small layout.
Yes, and there are a number of ways to do it. Some stationary decoders have provisions for routes, and some DCC systems do also. Then there are devices such as Team Digital’s SRC8. And of course, JMRI lets you do all kinds of routing.
It varies, based on the stationary decoder’s design. They generally have from one to eight or more outputs. Each output can usually handle either one twin-coil switch machine, or one and sometimes two stall motor machines. (Tortoise or similar)
Yes. Some stationary decoders allow each output to be set individually. But depending on your specific implementation, you may have use more than one type of decoder if you have more than one type of switch machine. See my answer to your question #2.
Again, it depends on the specific stationary decoder. Some use the programming track and some use the command buss itself, but either way the actual progra
One more link to be added: http://www.mrsonline.net/ , if you want to check out ZIMO decoders.
The MX82E will control one and the MX82V two turnouts,. an accessory module controls 16 turnouts. The ZIMO accessory decoders operate any switch motor or solenoid and feature back-EMF for switch machines, slow dimming for lights/LED’s, can also operate servos and are ready for bidirectional communication. Like all ZIMO decoders, these can also be updated by the end user at no charge when new features become available. Just download the new software and install it yourself on the track.
They can also be controlled with macros but with a ZIMO cab you can use actual names instead of remembering an address numbers. For instance “entry left track 1”, “main station exit east” you get the idea. Pictograms will be added later as well.
Thanks to all who responded! Exactly what I needed. This pointed me in the correct direction so I can do my research and know what to look for to make it all work.