DCC Accessory (Point) control

[IanS]

I've a Gaugemaster Prodigy Express which doesn't control accessories (I didn't know that at the time of purchase).
I've also a Hornby Select with old software (I think it is 1.3 but will check later).

I understand that the Select can control accessories.

I'm almost finished doing the wiring for the track on Wessyngton so I'm now thinking of the points and how to electrify them in stages (cost is important to the timing).

My idea, is that I would use the Select to control the points (and any other 'features' that can be controlled with DCC) from a separate bus circuit to the track. I'd like to have LED's showing the route on that is to be followed - red and green - though not necessarily as signals. The points will need to be surface mounted as climbing underneath is not an option although a few close to the edge may be capable of being underneath.

The type of point motor isn't crucial to me - I don't mind the firm 'clunk' of a change, although the smooth change of the alternatives. Am I right in understanding that a CDU is likely to be needed (or at least a good idea) and that this is a separate power supply to the CDU is used and the DCC accessory wires carry only the signal?

Sale of the Select and Prodigy Express (via Ebay) is unlikely to recoup much, but would a 'better' system that can control both accessories and track be a sensible upgrade? I've read comments elsewhere about how using the same controller for multiple locos and for points can become cumbersome due to the number of key presses needed to change back and forth.

I'm sure I'll have many more questions - but these will do for now.

[Brian]

Hi
Suggest you keep both systems and at least arrange to have the Select up graded by Hornby to the latest firmware version. Contact Hornby customer Service to arrange a returns number for the Select upgrade. Cost is I understand £15 plus VAT and return is included in this charge!

You can indeed have two DCC systems, one operating the trains and the other the accessories. The two are feed by totally separate DCC Bus pairs and must never be allowed to connect together.

As for point motor operation, I would use an accessory decoder that provides individual CDU powered output. A typical one is the DCC Concepts AD -S xx The xx being the number of outputs. (2, 4 or 8)

You can use the DCC system to provide point position for panel indications or use the accessory decoder, if it has such outputs additionally to the point motor operation. Much of what you are asking about is shown on my web site here.. For DCC powered LEDs.. https://www.brian-lambert.co.uk/DCC-Pag ... ndications
Or here perhaps for conventional panel indications.. https://www.brian-lambert.co.uk/Electri ... ndications

[IanS]

Thank you for your reply.

A further question. All postings of points show the irj attached to the point. Is there any reason why the irj couldn't be say 15cm away from the point?

My thoughts are to save soldering to rail (I've had very limited success doing that due to poor soldering skills) I would use the track joiners which Peco sell with cable already attached. That would enable multiple attempts at soldering with less risk to the already laid track. I think it is time to invest in some CDU and other equipment for a test on (another) a small test layout.

[Brian]

Hi

No reason at all why IRJs cannot be moved further away. Of course in a cross-over pair of points you usually abut one point onto the other, so IRJs are then on the end of the Vee rail in the cross over direction. This of course only applies to Electrofrog points.

I would learn to solder on odd scrap bits of track. A good quality soldering Iron with a good tip is needed and try to use Rosen cored Lead Content 60/40 solder not Lead Free which needs a higher iron temperature. Follow this article and after a few goes you should be come more efficient at soldering wires to rails or wires together etc. viewtopic.php?f=9&t=110

Remember, the weak link in the circuit for power transfer and for the DCC user data too, is the metal rail joiner - Fishplate. If these are used as feed items then the risk is they can lead to poor connections rail to rail and a fault occurring. They may seem like a great idea, but in reality they are the poor cousin of the connection. Learn to solder and you will never look back.