Power supply needed?

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Jeff Dippel - 17 Dec 2008 20:52 GMT

When I first hooked up my Digitrax UR-91 I followed instructions and hooked
up the unit to a 12V DC power supply. The system ran fine but in the last
several months I've been having trouble with a non-responsive throttle even
though I am never more than 15 feet from the UR-91.

I've narrowed the problem down to the UR-91 and have found that the system
works best when the 12V DC power supply is not connected. In fact, when I
plugged the power back into the UR-91, the green LED goes out and the
throttle reverts to the "idle" mode when I remove it from any of the loconet
stations.

I'm of the school, If it ain't broke, don't fix it, so I'm tempted to
continue running the system without a power source connected to the UR-91,
however I'm concerned that I might be causing some sort of problem or
damage.

Anyone have any thoughts?

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Puckdropper - 17 Dec 2008 21:33 GMT

> When I first hooked up my Digitrax UR-91 I followed instructions and
> hooked up the unit to a 12V DC power supply. The system ran fine but
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Anyone have any thoughts?

The UR91 will run fine without a power supply, but if you get too many
devices on Loconet you'll need supplemental power supplies. You might
want to check the PS12 voltage, it should be around 20V no-load.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to plug in a LT-1 Loconet Tester (included with
the set) and make sure all 4 lights come on.

Puckdropper

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Puckdropper - 17 Dec 2008 21:45 GMT

>> When I first hooked up my Digitrax UR-91 I followed instructions and
>> hooked up the unit to a 12V DC power supply. The system ran fine but
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> Puckdropper

Just found something out from the Digitrax Yahoo! Group. Apparently the
PS12 power supplies are supposed to be DC and some were ordered as AC.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Digitrax/message/135984

Puckdropper

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mike mueller - 18 Dec 2008 00:20 GMT

> When I first hooked up my Digitrax UR-91 I followed instructions and hooked
> up the unit to a 12V DC power supply. The system ran fine but in the last
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Anyone have any thoughts?

Hi All
I'm having a similar problem with my UR90 and a DT400 throttle.
Very slow response and if 2 trains are running only one will respond.
I'm 7 feet away and everything works fine when tethered. As soon as I
disconnect i loose control of the engines.
Any suggestions? Changes batteries 3 times already.
Thank you
Mike Mueller

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Puckdropper - 18 Dec 2008 03:39 GMT

>> When I first hooked up my Digitrax UR-91 I followed instructions and
>> hooked up the unit to a 12V DC power supply. The system ran fine but
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> Thank you
> Mike Mueller

A UR90 is infrared only, right? Are you sure there's a clear line of
sight to the transmitter and no bright light sources in the way?

If you want to check the working of your IR beam, point your DT400 at a
digital camera and press a button. You should see a light from the IR
diode.

Puckdropper

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Jeff Dippel - 19 Dec 2008 16:53 GMT

Mystery solved! I appreciate the information regarding the UR-91 however it
turns out that this problem, like so many of my electrical problems, was
self-induced. To power my UR-91 I use an old powerpack set to 12V DC.
Apparently at some point I hit the Forward-Reverse switch and reversed the
polarity to the UR-91 which it didn't accept. Flipping the Forward-Reverse
switch again solved my problem. (It's now taped down)

Carter

>>> When I first hooked up my Digitrax UR-91 I followed instructions and
>>> hooked up the unit to a 12V DC power supply. The system ran fine but
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> Puckdropper

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Puckdropper - 20 Dec 2008 00:19 GMT

> Mystery solved! I appreciate the information regarding the UR-91
> however it turns out that this problem, like so many of my electrical
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Carter

Good to hear. You don't need any more power for a UR-91 than a simple
300mA universal power supply available for around $5 at a store, so you
might want to consider one... Especially if you want your old power pack
for something else.

Puckdropper

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Jeff Dippel - 20 Dec 2008 01:17 GMT

ok, thanks
Carter

>> Mystery solved! I appreciate the information regarding the UR-91
>> however it turns out that this problem, like so many of my electrical
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Puckdropper

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mike mueller - 21 Dec 2008 21:58 GMT

>>> When I first hooked up my Digitrax UR-91 I followed instructions and
>>> hooked up the unit to a 12V DC power supply. The system ran fine but
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> Puckdropper

Hi Puckdropper
Yes, IR only. Interestingly when pointed directly at the UR90 the
response is very sketchy. If I point it just in the direction of or off
slightly towards the UR90 it works great. Almost instant response.
It works well if you point it in the direction of the loco you are
controlling. Go figure.
Thank you for your help
Mike Mueller

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Puckdropper - 22 Dec 2008 06:32 GMT

>>> Hi All
>>> I'm having a similar problem with my UR90 and a DT400 throttle.
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Thank you for your help
> Mike Mueller

I haven't done much with infrared (besides use a remote control), but
two things come to mind: Multipath and excessive brightness.

To check on multipath, I'd find something to put over the IR detector
that would allow light in from the front but not sides. A hollow tube
would work.

Excessive brightness might be tested by placing a piece of clear tape
over the IR detector and trying it. The idea is simply to reduce the
brightness, not do anything funny with the beam.

This might be something you'd have to ask Digitrax about.

Puckdropper

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Bob May - 23 Dec 2008 02:35 GMT

I'd also check the lighting in the room. A room with a bright light
(especially an incadescent bulb) pointted at the detector can ovdrload the
IR diode and make for bad recption.
The IR" beam" is a pulse train of IR light to improve the snesitivity of the
system but if the detector has a high incidence of infrared light on it then
it will often not see the signal well and only the correct pointing of the
remote to the detector will end up with a response. The LED in the remote
also may not be pointed directly straight out of the remote control so this
is why pointing it somewhat off from the center will provide a signal.

--
Bob May

rmay at nethere.com
http: slash /nav.to slash bobmay
http: slash /bobmay dot astronomy.net

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Model Forum / General / Railroads / December 2008

Power supply needed?