I believe the Fastrack turnouts are solenoid based, so I wonder if the Digitrax DS64 could drive them? Has anyone tried this? I've got two of the switch based turnouts and they work fine, but being able to do it with DCC would be pretty cool too. Don't want to spend the $64 to test it out if it isn't going to work. So I ask here hoping for a good answer.
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The Fastrack switches require a momentary contact closure from common to each of two wires. Thru and Out. That’s the input to the electronics. The internal mechanics is a small motor with a pinion moving a curved rack between two micro switches.
Does that get you close to an answer?
Based on the documentation for the DS64, it will work with a three wire setup, momentary type switch, but I can't find anyone that has managed or tried to do it and brag on the internet they got it to work. Since bragging about random accomplishments is what the internet was created for, I suspect it hasn't been done yet.
I'll think about it some more. I don't need it for Christmas this year, the layout is almost done, but thinking about the future.
You could control two relays with the DS64. You will need an auxiliary input of 12VDC for the DS64. You would have to set the DS64 to solenoid mode and to a short pulse timeout so that the relay is only momentarily activated. To substitute relays for the Lionel controller, if you want indicators, you will have to wire it as in this post substituting the NO contacts on the relays for SW1 & SW2. If not, just wire the black wire to both relays' COM and the green wire to NO of one relay and the red wire to NO on the other relay.
You can use the 12v low trigger relays from ebay
From the DS64, wire the common + to the VCC terminals on both relays. Connect the throw output to both the GND and IN terminals of the relay and do the same with the Closed output.
You are basically substituting a relay for each coil in the following image from the manual.
Experiment with a relay and your DS64 to see the concept. Hopefully, someone else has a simpler solution.
Brendan
Wow, thank you, but that may be more work than I want to put into it. Interesting solution though.
It actually took longer to write than it would to implement. I don't know that there is a much more simpler soluiton unless digitrax has a relay board you can add. NCE has one but it costs like $30 and the wiring is not really easier.
Brendan
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