Tortoise / DS 52 Stationary decoder

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Guru’s,

I need help with Tortoise / DS 52 Stationary Decoders.

I followed the manual and connected all the wires as mentioned.

Manual did not give any instructions how to operate it and trouble shoot .

Please help me if any of you have installed Digitrax Stationary DS-52 Decoder.

Thanks a lot for the help.

Kenneth

2

Well, I have DS54’s on my layout, but I just took a look at the DS52 manual at http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/ds52.pdf and have a few questions for you:

-Did you hook it up exactly as shown on page 2 of the manual, for slow-motion switch machines?

-Have you tried changing the address(es)? If so, are you sure the change actually “took”, and in either case are you trying the correct address(es)?

-What model of throttle are you using, and what is the exact button sequence you’re trying?

Steve

3

Stevart,

Yes I have followed the manual. Checked the wiring couple of times.

I am not sure how to the change the address / how to operate it. Please let me know the steps involved in operating the turnouts / tortoise.

I have Digitrax Zephr.

Thanks for the help.

4

I don’t own any Digitrax, but from what I quickly read, first install and check wiring, programme your DS52 address, with the power off close the programme jumper, then with no loco’s or other DS52’s in programme mode use your Zephyr to programme a new address in ( possibly just two digits ). Then in Swich mode on the zephyr punch in those two address and the turnouts should switch.

If thats all wrong I’m sorry!!

If it didn’t work I suggest an email to Randy!!

Ken.

5

Ahhh, I see. I don’t have a Zephyr either, but in the 24.0 SWITCH Mode section of the manual, on page 34, it basically says to press the Switch key, use the numeric keypad to select the address, then either the c/- key to close the turnout or the t/- key to throw the turnout. By the way, that Zephyr manual is available here: http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/zephyrmanual.pdf

Anyway, if you’re not sure how to change the address, can I assume you haven’t tried to do so? If that’s the case, then the default addresses are 1 and 2. Try them using the instructions outlined above.

Steve

6

Basically it’s been covered in the other replies. If you haven’t attempted to change the address yet, try using 1 and 2 byt pressing SWITCH, 001, and then C or T. Each time you press C or T the Tortoise should run and move to the opposite position - one way for C, the other way for T.

Track power must be turned on for it to work.

–Randy

7

Thank you all for the help!!

I have tried all the options you have mentioned, but there is no moment in the rortoise.
When I switched on the power for the first time after the programming, there was some moment and after that I tried c - t several time and nothing happened.

8

I did not change the jumper because I am using Tortoise

When I switch on the power there is some movement. When I moved the little screw to center and after switching the power screw moved to left.

But when I try to change it to “t” or “c” nothing happens.

Please throw some lights.

9

You might try reprogramming it. There are two jumpers - the one opposite the screw terminals must be on both pins to operate a Tortoise. The other jumper should NOT cover both pins when in normal operating mode. This is the programming jumper. To program, do this:

Turn off track power.
Put the programming jumper on so it covers both pins.
Turn on track power
Press SWITCH
Enter 001
Press C or T, doesn’t matter.
Enter 002
Press C or T, doesn’t matter
Turn off track power
Move the program jumper so it only covers 1 pin (easier than taking it completely off and losing it!)
Turn on track power
Press SWITCH
Key in 001
Press C - Tortoise should move one way. Press T - tortoise should move the other way
Key in 002
Press C - tortoise should move one way. Press T - tortoise should move the other way.

–Randy

10

Randy,

Thanks a lot for the detail explanation !!

I have already tried all the above steps. I am having only one Tortoise switch.
I have followed the pin removing and keeping back procedure very carefully.

I did not install the tortoise under the tracks yet. I want to make sure that it works.

But when I move the screw (which holds thin wire) to center and switch off the power ,it moves to the right side.

Installation is pretty easy but not sure why it is not working.

11

Do you have pins 1 and 8 on the tortoise connected to terminals 1 and 3 on the DS52? Terminal 2 is only used for a twin-coil switch motor. Since the Tortoise moves to one side when powered up, it’s getting power. Try also resetting the Zephyr, something may have been messed up somewhere alogn the line. Off the top of my head I think you hit Prog, then Switch, key in 39 and hit T. Look in the back of the Zephyr manual, I don’t have mine handy - you want to do the full reset that will put everything back to the factory default. It’s either OpSw 39 or 36. There are settings that could have inadvertantly been applied that make it ignore the switch command coming from a throttle.
If none of that works - I’d suspect the DS52 is bad. Did you try the second output, which should default to switch address 2?

–Randy

12

I will reset the system and see if it works. Do you think if I call Digitrax, they will be able to help me with the issue ?

I thought its very simple compared to DPDT switch, soldering etc.

13

Definitely give them a call. I suspect they will at least at first just walk you through what we’ve been talking about here. Are you on the Digitrax group on Yahoo as well?

–Randy