How does turnout feedback work and how valuable is it?

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C

CbrandonB

Member
Hi all,

Just curious how turnout feedback works in DCC. Is it just a timed notice, so to speak, from a controller reporting the last state change?

I've seen what Anton did here, and I got all excited thinking it was the DS64... turns out he's using micro switches (of which I may also do, if I can find an inexpensive way of getting enough inputs into DCC for JMRI). :)

I'm just trying to wrap my head around feedback. :) Seems like you could have a "normalizing" setting that would set all turnouts to a known condition at the beginning of an operating session and that would suffice for 90% of the situations. Obviously there's still that 10%, though.

Does anyone know if the TeamDigital SC8 gives turnout feedback?

It may go without saying, but I've not played with JMRI yet, so I apologize if this is something that would be obvious if I would have.

Thanks!

Brandon
 
I don't understand by what you mean as "turnout feedback", since all my turnouts are manual.

If you mean if the turnout is connected to a switch machine and decoder for throwing the turnout, then all I know is that on one layout I've opersted on with DCC controlled turnouts, then yes that system does remember the turnout position of the turnouts on powerup. This layout had its turnouts controlled by DS-64s.

I have also operated on a layout connected to an automatic control system called Railroad & Company, which is similar to the system controls in JMRI. I can't tell you if the computer is doing the "remembering" or the stationary decoders are on this particular layout.
 


Thanks for the reply, Carey.

I'm referring to dcc turnout feedback, as in what is given by DS64s, but I think I may be confused. I think in this case it is a Loconet only thing. I may have to find a way to wire in microswitches like Anton did, I'm just not sure how to get the info from the switches into Loconet or S88 or whatever feedback protocol I will be using. Hmmmm... Lots more to study it seems. :)

Brandon
 
When the Digtrax system is powered on and you want to throw a turnout, when you choose the turnout number, on the screen it will tell you whether or not the turnout is C meaning closed, as in set for the main route, or T thrown, which means its set for the diverging route. You don't need any extra boards to determine that. What ever stationary decoders you are using, Lenz, MRC, Digitrax will remember their last position.
 
Ok, cool, thank you. That makes perfect sense. I was confusing a couple of different things together.

I think I'm probably going to go with TeamDigital SC8s when I finally do get a chance to build a layout. That definitely seems to be the most inexpensive way of automating routes and turnouts. I can slow motorize AND control turnouts for about $8.38 per turnout, which is fantastic. I could even add a physical control panel for a dollar or two more per turnout. That's pretty slick!

Brandon
 
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