CSM2 Breakout Board Issue

@CAPPilot posted:

 

For some reason the microchips are interfering with the signal.  Has anyone else run into this problem on their boards or did I get a bad batch?

They are not microchips. All they do is protect the system from voltage spikes when a derail occurs in the switch. There's also a couple of components to power the green LED.

Did you try switching the "thr" and "out" wires going into the breakout board?

We never designed this to work with a DZ-1008, so I can't help there.

Dave,

Thanks for the reply.  I connect the DZ-1008 to the screws along the bottom of the board (in picture) and it works great.

When I do a continuity check, all green to green, red to red, etc, have good connections.  Even the Comm to the Comm connection on the derail board is good.  But there is no continuity between the Thr or Out connections with any other connection.  The Thr and Out should have continuity with the corresponding green or yellow, but nothing.  I've swap all the wires around and can only get the non-derail to work when I connect the wires from the track to a marked green or yellow connection.

I also tried a continuity connection to one side of all the "chips" and it is good, the other side is not.

Not having those Thr/Out connections make it more difficult to wire this, plus it sounds like I lose my voltage spike connections when I don't use them.

Here are some photos of what I'm running into.

Here is the Breakout Board wired per the instructions. For the non-derail attachment, the red wire is common from the outside rail. The yellow and green wires come from the isolated rails.  I've done continuity checks from the rails to the screw heads and all connections are good.  However, the non-derail function does not activate.

Here I have moved the yellow and green wires to the yellow and green connections at the top of the board.  In this configuration the non-derail works perfectly.

The issue I think is there is no continuity to the Thr or Out connections.  Here is a photo of a continuity check for the Comm, which is good.

Here is the continuity check for the Thr (same for the Out).  It barely registers. 

This is the same for three different Breakout Boards, two of the older style and two of the newer style.  I really like the idea of voltage spike protection and makes it a better value, but it is not allowing the non-derail function to work.  

Here is a photo of my track wires.  The yellow and green wires are attached to the isolated rails, and the red wire is attached to the outside (common) rail.  The other wires are to energize the lead rails when needed.

While we are at it, what is the part number for the male connector to fit the connector the purple arrows is pointing to?  These are on older boards and I want to see if the connector will make it easier to attached the single-button controller.

There should be continuity for all 3 pins, so it sounds like there's an issue with the boards you have. I find that odd to see in all 3 of your boards however. If you call/email customer service, we can get you replacements.

You have the first generation of the boards. That connector was for our development as it was easier for us to put a connector on the DZ2500 samples we worked with. The latest generation of the board removes that connect, but adds another 3-pin terminal that is meant for the DZ push button.

I have 12 of the "first generation" Breakout Boards and they all are the same.  There is no connectivity from anywhere to the Thr and Out connections.  The connector type on these older boards would be nice to know to easily connect the control button, but I'll solder the button's wires to the correct pins.

All five of my newer Breakout Boards, which where purchased at the same time, also act the same.  There is no connectivity to the Thr and Out connections.  I also notice the Lionel boards have extra circuits, C2 and C3 circled, not on the first generation boards. 

Looking at the above picture of a newer style Breakout Board:

- I can go from any connector marked green to the right side of R1 and get continuity.  No continuity on the left side of R1.

- I can go from the Out connector to the left side of R1 and get continuity.  No continuity on the right side of R1.

- So, R1 is killing the connection between a green connector and out.

- Same for any yellow connector and Thr.

Just wanted to let you know all 17 boards act the same way, so they were designed that way.  If somebody knows why I can not get the non-derailing function to work using the non-derail connections on the board, but can get it to work by directly connecting to the green and yellow connections, please let me know.

@CAPPilot posted:

Here are some photos of what I'm running into.

 I designed this product shown in the picture.  The connector you are pointing to is in parallel with the Green connector.  While you could connect the push button there, you can also access the white wire (for the button) on the 8 pins screw terminal.  The original thinking was to put ACCessory power and common connecitons in the control panel and just run a white wire to the breakout board.  This saving 2 wires to each breakout board from the control panel.  Alternatively, you can hook the button on the HOT and COM and the White connections on the 8 pin terminal, no soldering needed.  

I am looking at your other issues, but for sure the connection is there on the 3 pin connector that is in the lower left of your picture.  There is 100 ohms in series with those connections.  Dennis and I worked together on this project, and the resistor/capacitors/TVS parts are there to prevent a derailment from damaging the DZ2500.

More info coming...if you wish, email me with a phone number and I will be glad to chat.

jon