Wiring a Kato Turntable (N Scale) for DCC

[Kisatchie]

Kato's instructions with their turntable are very vague as to how to operate it using DCC. I did some Googling and found the following link that explains how to do it:

http://www.sbs4dcc.com/tutorialstipstricks/katoturntabledcccontrol.html

You can use a DCC auto reverse module for greater convenience, or not. It looks so simple, I bet even I could do it.


Hmm... biting tongue...
don't say it...

 

[MikeOwnby]

If you don't use an auto-reverser, you actually have to power each and every one of the stall tracks leading from the turntable and leave the turntable itself unpowered, allowing it to route the power from the external tracks. That setup also means you would have to be very careful to reverse the phase to match on opposing tracks so that the turntable bridge won't short between them. It's MUCH simpler to just put an auto-reverser on the turntable itself, and then you don't have to actually power ANY of the stall tracks, only the main line(s) leading in. An auto-reverser is probably the simplest DCC equipment you'll ever hook up. Two wires to the power bus, two wires to the track. You don't even have to worry about which rail you're connecting to, unlike even simple power drops.

I've got one set up with two powered lead-in tracks, and none of the stall tracks are powered. The turntable routes power from the auto-reverser, switching phase when necessary as it passes over those two powered lead-ins, and just works. The only power feeds necessary are to the two tracks leading in and the auto-reverser to the turntable controller itself. No muss, no fuss, easy.

 

[Kisatchie]

I decided to go with a Digitrax AR1 auto reverser to avoid having to power the stall tracks, just as you pointed out.