Turning on Track Power

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Jeff Dippel - 26 Dec 2008 19:27 GMT

I just replaced my Digitrax Empire Builder Command Station DB 150 with a
used Super Chief DCS 200. With my old DB 150, and on other layouts using
Super Chief, I power up the layout, plug in my throttle, acquire my loco and
start running. With my "new" DCS 200 I need to power up the layout, plug in
my throttle, TURN ON TRACK POWER FROM MY THROTTLE, and then acquire my loco
and start running.

It's a minor annoyance, and certainly one I can live with, but I wonder if
having to take the extra step is indicative of some other problem with the
system. Is there away to eliminate the need to turn on track power from my
throttle each time I power out the layout?

(When I shut down the system I dispatch my locos and shut off power to the
system. I don't turn off track power or change the MODE switch).

I'd appreciate any comments.

Carter Braxton

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Jon Miller - 26 Dec 2008 20:30 GMT

I believe there's a command station CV to leave the track power in the
last state. It's 33 I believe.

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Puckdropper - 26 Dec 2008 20:44 GMT

> I believe there's a command station CV to leave the track power in
> the
> last state. It's 33 I believe.

I just checked the manual. You'll need to set both OpSw 33 and OpSw 34.

Puckdropper

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Jeff Dippel - 26 Dec 2008 23:58 GMT

Thank you for the quick response however we've now exceded my realm of
knowledge. I understand CVs but are OpSw 33 and OpSw 34 the same as CV 33
and CV34? If so to what value should each of those CVs be set? I can't
find any reference to them in my manual.

Thanks/Carter

>> I believe there's a command station CV to leave the track power in
>> the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Puckdropper

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Howard R Garner - 27 Dec 2008 00:33 GMT

> Thank you for the quick response however we've now exceded my realm of
> knowledge. I understand CVs but are OpSw 33 and OpSw 34 the same as CV 33
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>>
>> Puckdropper

Try going tothe Digitrax web site.

This is a link to the FAQ. Use the same settings with your
cammandstation as the DCS100. The first two itemsshould give you the
informtionthat you need.

Howard Garner

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Puckdropper - 27 Dec 2008 11:27 GMT

> Thank you for the quick response however we've now exceded my realm of
> knowledge. I understand CVs but are OpSw 33 and OpSw 34 the same as
> CV 33 and CV34? If so to what value should each of those CVs be set?
> I can't find any reference to them in my manual.
>
> Thanks/Carter

OpSw are Option Switches. They're basically CVs that are set on the
command station. (They're not quite the same thing, but for purposes of
this discussion they're close enough.)

How to set option switches and their functions are found starting on page
115 of the manual, downloadable from http://www.digitrax.com/pdfdocs.php

Puckdropper

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Jeff Dippel - 27 Dec 2008 19:16 GMT

Thank you Guys... changing OpSw 33 & 34 did the trick.

As for using JMRI, I couldn't agree more. In fact I upgraded from Empire
Builder to Super Chief specifically so that I could get the readback feature
and better use JMRI. I'm just getting into JMRI now and I didn't know the
OpSw options could be changed there. Can someone tell me which panel
controls the OpSw options?

Thanks/Carter

>> Thank you for the quick response however we've now exceded my realm of
>> knowledge. I understand CVs but are OpSw 33 and OpSw 34 the same as
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Puckdropper

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Jon Miller - 27 Dec 2008 23:38 GMT

> I'm just getting into JMRI now and I didn't know the

OpSw options could be changed there. Can someone tell me which panel
controls the OpSw options?<

LocoNet on the first window and then configure command station. The
command station programmer shown should be what is in Preferences.

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Jon Miller - 27 Dec 2008 16:51 GMT

Jeff,
Now might be a good time to learn about JMRI. Command station switches
can be set using JMRI.

http://jmri.sourceforge.net/

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Model Forum / General / Railroads / December 2008

Turning on Track Power