Zephyr to DS64 to Tortoises

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I looking for some feedback to see if I have this right - my first time wiring anything like this. I have a relatively simple layout. There are only 4 switches. So after reading a lot of posts here what I plan to do is: 1) connect my Zephyr to a DS64 via the loconet connection, 2) run connections from the DS64 to each of the four tortoises, 3) run power from a 12V 500ma DC wall plug to power the DS64, 4) run power from the same wall plug to power each tortoise. The DS64 takes 300ma and the four tortoises take 64ma altogether so there should be enough juice. Then I should be able to create routes through the DS64 to control the tortoises more or less automatically. Does all this make sense? Thanks in advance.

Ted

2

Ted,

Correct, except you shouldn’t do #4 since the DS64 supplies the power to operate the Tortii.

Connecting them to another power source will feed that DC current back into the DS64’s outputs, which isn’t a good thing.

HTH,
Steve

3

You will have to set an option switch on the DS64. They come from the factory set for solenoid switches.

To set up your DS64 to operate stall motor type turnouts:
  1. Connect the DS64’s ‘TRKA’ and ‘TRKB’ terminals to your track. No

turnouts should be connected to the DS64 at this time.

  1. On the DS64 press and hold the OPS button down for about 3 seconds until

the red OPS LED and green ID LED begin to blink alternately. This indicates

that the DS64 is ready to change the option switches. To run the type

of turnout you have chosen, you’ll need to follow step 3 to change Option

Switch 1 to closed to operate a slow motion type turnout.

  1. Using your DCC throttle, selectSwitch Address 01 and send a Closed command.

This will set your DS64 to operate slow motion type turnouts. Refer

to your DCC throttle’s o

4

From the looks of it you shouldn’t have to run 12V DC to the DS64. With the tortoise machines it should be fine drawing power from the track.

5

Not true, you need a power supply for the DS64. I wired up my LHS’s display layout and I needed to run a power supply for it. I just used the Digitrax one and the Atlas switch machines I wired up were powered from the DS64. It looks complicated but its not.

6

I have 8 DS64s all powered from the track. I plan to run a power buss but haven’t gotten around to it. They all work fine. It is important to keep the track A and track B consistant.

7

I really didn’t want to run anything from the track power but track, if I could. I don’t mind having a wall wart power various other stuff. Thanks Stevert - I didn’t understand that the DS64 supplies power to the “tortii” along with the signal to move - I thot the DS64 just sent the signal and that the tortoises needed their own power source. That also decomplicates the wiring considerably.

Next issue - it seems like the DS64 manual says that two tortoises can be controlled from one DS64 output, thus allowing control of my 4 tortoises using only two of the four outputs on the DS64, but doesn’t say how this is done. Are wires from two tortoises just run side by side into one set of DS64 output connectors? Did I misunderstand and have to use each output on the DS64 to control its own tortoise?

8

The DS64 cannot control them individually, but it can handle the current of two switch motors operating at the same time on one output. They will both operate at the same time on one switch address.

Just wire them in parallel so they look like one switch to the DS64.

9

The DS64s supply the power to the Tortoises on the outputs. No other power is needed for the Tortoises. You can wire LEDs in series with the Tortoises for panel indicators. Yes, you can run two Tortoises off of the same outputs but they must be a like function (i.e. a crossover etc…) where you always want both Tortoises to move together. If you need them to be independent, then you need to use two DS64 outputs. I have a crossover where I wired them together. All you need to do is connect both Tortoises to the same output (i.e. run a set of wires from pins 1,8 on each Tortoise to the same DS64 output). Just flip the wires so that they move in the proper direction.

10

And it should work great. I just did the same thing with the NCE switch 8 controlling 2 torti’s at a crossover. Works like a charm. The DS64 looks like it will do the same.

11

The DS64 can get power from the track or a seperate power supply. It can also take commands from the track signal or Loconet. The downside of using track power is if you have a short because of a switch lined wrong, your track power is off…oops. With a dedicated power supply, you aren’t wasting relatively expensive DCC power to run simple accessories, and even if track power is off because of a short, you can issue the command to the DS64 adn throw the switch to clear said short and proceee on your way.

–Randy

12

Thanks everyone - you’ve really helped me and I"m going to start experimenting this weekend.

Ted

13

I have four DS-64’s on my layout for 16 tortoise controlled switches. I would encourage you to use a separate power supply for the DS-64’s. The less you have coming off the track buss the better in my opinion. One suggestion if you haven’t already done so - wire up all the connections on the tortoise before installing them on your layout. Much easier to do it at your workbench than under the benchwork.

Dave [banghead]

14

What Randy said.

Separate control is good. I have several DS64’s and Tortii installed on NTRAK modules. Sometimes the track is powered by DCC, sometimes by DC. With auxilliary power and local push buttons, they work no matter which power is selected for the track.

Martin Myers

15

I have the same problem on my layout. But it sounds right. I have an article on how to install the tortises if you want it. I can bring it tomorrow to train club.

CB&Q4-8-4Fanatic(Chas)