Jump Ports on Zephyr DCS50

[Grampy]

I have a Zephyr DCS50 unit, and want to add two older throttles to the Jump
Ports. The instruction manual says to connect a wire from the Jump Port to a
"Variable DC" connector on the older throttle.

Now I have one older throttle that has a "Variable DC" connector clearly marked
so I don't see any problem connecting that one....but I have another one that is
a simple Tyco PAK1 throttle with the following description on the
connector..."Connect to Track Only D.C.". Is that the same as a "Variable DC"
connector.....? Thanks for your assistance.

 

[fast_ian]

....I have another one that is a simple Tyco PAK1 throttle with the following description on the connector..."Connect to Track Only D.C.". Is that the same as a "Variable DC" connector.....?

Yep.

Your DC throttles each have a +ve and a ground wire that (in DC land) run to the track.

To use as a jump throttle simply connect the +ve wire to the Jump connector and the other to the ground connector on the DCS50.

Which is which you ask?!..... Doesn't matter - If you get it the "wrong" way round the loco will go backward when you're expecting forward - Swap 'em over and you're done.

Having said all that, things to note:

- All 3 throttles will be pretty close together - May be OK if just one operator is driving all 3 locos, but 3 people that close may be a "squeeze".

- You obviously can't control any of the functions from these Jump throttles - You need to select the loco on the DCS to turn lights on etc.

HTH, cheers,
Ian

 

[CSX Robert]

..
- You obviously can't control any of the functions from these Jump throttles - You need to select the loco on the DCS to turn lights on etc.
...

Not entirely true. You do not have to select the loco on the Zephyr to control it's functions. Press "Jump" and the Jump LED will light on the Zephyr and it will control Jump 1 functions, but the original loco selected on the Zephyr will still be selected, and the Zephyr's speed and direction will still control it's selected loco. Press jump again and the Jump LED will flash and function control will move to the Jump 2 loco. Press Jump a third time and the jump LED turns off and function control returns to the Zephyr's loco.

 

[fast_ian]

Not entirely true. You do not have to select the loco on the Zephyr to control it's functions.

Aren't you the pedantic one! [J/K!]

"Select" was indeed bad terminology on my part.

Bottom line remains though - To change any function settings on the jumped loco(s) you need "access" (is that better? ) to the DCS50 keypad - Which may or may not be an issue.

Cheers,
Ian