Digitrax Super Empier Builder Manual Download Page 1

Page: 1 / 126

igitrax

ommand

ontrol

MPIRE

UILDER

Super

Advanced

Digitrax Command Control

Starter Set

Manual

Includes:

DB150 Command Station/Booster,

DT400 Series Throttle,

UP5 Universal Panel,

IR Operation with UR90, &

Radio Operation with UR91

Diiggiittrraaxx,, IInncc..

450 Cemetery ST #206

Norcross, GA 30071 USA

(770) 441-7992 Fax (770)441-0759

www.digitrax.com

Digitrax Manuals & Instructions are updated periodically.

Please visit www.digitrax.com for the latest version of all manuals.

This manual was updated 11/03.

Summary of Contents for Super Empier Builder

Page 1: ...le UP5 Universal Panel IR Operation with UR90 Radio Operation with UR91 D Di ig gi it tr ra ax x I In nc c 450 Cemetery ST 206 Norcross GA 30071 USA 770 441 7992 Fax 770 441 0759 www digitrax com Digi...

Page 2: ...4 0 Installing Digitrax On Your Layout 22 4 1 Direct Home Wiring vs Common Rail Wiring 22 4 2 Recommended wire sizes for power bus track feeders 22 4 3 Other Track Wiring Considerations 23 4 4 Layout...

Page 3: ...6 3 1 Loco Icon 41 6 3 2 Direction Indicators 41 6 3 3 Smoke Icon 41 6 3 4 Mode Indicator 42 6 3 5 L Left R Right Throttle Display 43 6 3 6 Text Area 43 6 3 7 L R Bar Graph 43 6 3 8 Function Display...

Page 4: ...ives 61 13 0 Multiple Unit Operations 61 13 2 Removing A Loco From A Consist 64 13 3 Nested Consisting 64 13 4 MU of Mismatched Locomotives 64 14 0 Releasing An Address From A Throttle 64 14 1 Dispatc...

Page 5: ...3 Battery Replacement 99 25 0 Customizing Your DT400 99 25 1 DT400 Option 1 101 25 1 1 Ballistic or Straight Line Tracking 101 25 1 2 Key Knob Clicks On Off 101 25 1 3 Local Global Stop 101 25 2 DT400...

Page 6: ...n this document Digitrax the Digitrax Train Logos LocoNet Empire Builder Super Empire Builder Chief Super Chief Zephyr Jump and others are trademarks of Digitrax Inc This manual may not be reproduced...

Page 7: ...ional power to run more locos The DT400 or DT400R is the DCC throttle that comes with the Super Empire Builder DCC throttles are the handhelds you use to tell the command station what you want the dec...

Page 8: ...ransformer R DB150 TRACK STATUS POWER ON OFF LINE O G N HO MODE O RUN L O C O N E T A B SCALE SLEEP P R R Power District Double Gapped Notes 1 This example shows a DB150 Command Station Any Digitrax C...

Page 9: ...or B LocoNet Jack on the DB150 If you are using a UR91 plug in the power sup ply that was included with your radio equipped set After completing Quick Start see Section 4 13 for information about Univ...

Page 10: ...400R or if there is a UR90 or UR91 con nected to your system you will see additional displays described later in the radio section This screen displays current addresses selected on the L R throttles...

Page 11: ...ck Power Indicator on your DT400 display and on your command station will come on 2 Turn track power off Press the PWR Key then press the N Key The Track Power Indicator on your DT400 and on your comm...

Page 12: ...the short you create does not shut down the DB150 review your wiring in that area of the layout to be sure you have enough track feeders to supply power and signal to the track Since the DCC signal tr...

Page 13: ...ed to increase or decrease speed The numeric keypad keys 0 8 are used for direct access to functions F9 F12 are not available with Super Empire Builder s DB150 comand station For example in Fn mode to...

Page 14: ...s The DT400 gives you two options for choosing the address you want to run throttle knobs or direct keypad entry Either use the R Throttle knob to dial up 00 in the R Address display or press 00 on yo...

Page 15: ...on the throttle knob twice within about 1 2 second You will hear a click each time you press down on the throttle knob 7 Turn the R Throttle knob counterclockwise to 0 speed to stop the analog loco 2...

Page 16: ...just after you press the LOCO Key to select an address on the L Throttle when nothing has been selected on that throttle before and where address 00 is selected to run on the R Throttle 3 Use the num...

Page 17: ...Reverse Key to control the analog loco and the L Throttle knob and L Reverse Key to control the DCC equipped loco You can control both at the same time Notice as you use each throttle knob or directi...

Page 18: ...power supply to the system The power to the command station can be left on all the time if desired In sleep mode the command station consumes very little energy In this state the command station prov...

Page 19: ...ation so that both are using the same number of speed steps to communicate You can status edit each individual decoder see Section 17 or you can change the DB150 s system default and run all of your d...

Page 20: ...Polled LocoNet is an event driven network The command station on LocoNet waits for input from other components before sending commands to the layout For example if there are 10 throttles on LocoNet a...

Page 21: ...command The big problem is that as the network speed increases so does signal distortion Polled systems generally use linear termi nated bus wiring to solve this problem Free form wiring like LocoNet...

Page 22: ...ol System you choose the components that let you run your railroad your way C O N F B R A I L B P O W E R I N C O N F A R A I L A P O W E R I N G R O U N D L O C O N E T UNIVERSAL RECEIVER UR91 R TRAC...

Page 23: ...l your blocks so that the entire track has power you are ready to go If you are using common rail wiring we recom mend that you divide the layout into power districts by double gapping between power d...

Page 24: ...ons in a radial star like configuration to minimize the possibility of creating magnetic induction loops 7 Do not place ANY filters or capacitors across the track These will short out the DCC signals...

Page 25: ...rax booster is installed and the layout is powered up use a quarter or other piece of conductive material to short both rails at vari ous places on the layout If you have enough power at that location...

Page 26: ...yout that was already up and running with another command station DCS100 or DB150 In this case two command stations can be trying to run the same layout causing some undesirable operating results such...

Page 27: ...layout If you choose manual operation use a DPDT switch or relay to handle the polarity change as the loco enters exits the reversing section If you use an additional DB150 auto reversing booster to c...

Page 28: ...ection If you are using a DB100 series booster as an auto reversing booster con sult the appropriate manual for the correct hook up procedures Note that when the polarity change occurs DCC equipped lo...

Page 29: ...Manager to set up sub districts within booster power districts With PM42 you can separate the output of one or more boosters into four sub districts that can be set up as either auto reversing or as s...

Page 30: ...built or crimped correctly Testing LocoNet Cables with an LT1 1 Disconnect the wire harness from the LT1 2 Plug one end of the LocoNet cable being tested into the LT1 3 Connect the other end to any p...

Page 31: ...hether it can use the Throttle jacks or if a Connection jack is necessary All Digitrax throttles are memory walkaround throttles some are equipped with infrared LEDs and others are radio throttles Eve...

Page 32: ...devices that do not have additional LocoNet con nections For example you can use one of these plugs to connect a DS54 that is NOT daisy chained to another LocoNet device The two RJ12 plugs in the bac...

Page 33: ...green when you are operating an analog locomotive and the system is zero stretching When you are using DCC only the LED will glow orange This color change is a useful diagnostic tool Front of UR90 or...

Page 34: ...LT1 to test the LocoNet cables attached to the booster in the problem area Does it only occur with certain locomotives Check the locomotives for mechanical problems and for damaged decoders If you pr...

Page 35: ...all others will automati cally operate as boosters If you have two separate operating LocoNets and you connect them with a LocoNet cable both command stations will continue to operate and operating pr...

Page 36: ...unit is not able to dissipate excess heat over temperature thermal shutdown may occur We recommend that you locate the boosters in a location where they can dissipate heat If you experience frequent o...

Page 37: ...roubleshooting DB150 Shutdowns If the DB150 unit shuts down occasionally due to a track short circuit 1 Correct the short circuit condition and the booster will resume normal operation 2 Turning off t...

Page 38: ...ltage Adjustment The actual track voltage supplied by the DB150 can be adjusted To do this you must open the DB150 case this will not void your warranty 1 Open the DB150 case Remove the black screws o...

Page 39: ...e system The DT400 requires a 9 Volt battery for infrared operation The DT400R requires a 9 Volt battery for radio operation DT400 can access F0 F12 with DCS50 DCS100 command stations Zephyr Super Chi...

Page 40: ...SWCH Key Press to enter switch mode DISP Key Display Dispatch PROG Key Enter programming mode scroll thru programming modes available EDIT Key Use to edit clock routes etc to status edit decoders FIND...

Page 41: ...system processes information In some cases the LCD display will not change each time you feel the detent In the case of increasing and decreasing loco speed this is because each detent does not equal...

Page 42: ...rs are for DCC equipped locos only They will indicate direction based on the normal direction of travel that you set up for your DCC equipped loco If you are using an analog loco the direction indica...

Page 43: ...ode indicator located at the bottom center of the LCD shows the DT400 s current mode of operations TABLE III DT400 Mode Indicator Display Display Mode Used For Lo Loco Normal locomotive operation Fn F...

Page 44: ...6 Text Area The Text Area of the LCD consists of the eight characters in the middle line of the display This is where information like locomotive speed decoder status turnout position fast clock text...

Page 45: ...e throttle knob to display the active functions for that throttle 6 3 9 Track Power Indicator This very small star shaped dot shown larger than life above located in the top line of the LCD on the rig...

Page 46: ...ble on our web site www digitrax com as these products become available Information on how to activate these indicators will be included in the manuals for our detection and signaling products Informa...

Page 47: ...set up mode for setting up option switches in the throttle and command station 6 8 L R Reverse Keys The L R Reverse Keys change the direction of travel of the loco on the relat ed throttle when the th...

Page 48: ...outes signaling etc It is also used to status edit decoders while in locomotive address selection mode 6 13 FIND Key The FIND Key is used in conjunction with a layout instrumented for Digitrax Transpo...

Page 49: ...of the turnout 6 18 EXIT Key The EXIT Key is used to exit the current throttle task without making changes Pressing this key will usually return the DT400 to Fn mode for regu lar locomotive operation...

Page 50: ...g These keys also give direct access to functions 0 8 during normal operation of locos Special number keys The Lamp 0 Key is most often used to turn on and off the loco s head lights It can also be us...

Page 51: ...Press the PWR Key the LCD will display a screen similar to this Press the Y Key to turn on track power Press the PWR Key again to exit Power On Off Mode You may also press any other key to go directl...

Page 52: ...ntly active loco address and to operate switches when switch mode is in use This means that you can continue to control your trains while turning on and off functions and operating turnouts If a throt...

Page 53: ...a 4 digit address 0128 9983 all four digits including any leading 0s will be dis played Example 127 is a 2 digit address and the display will read 127 0128 is a four digit address and the display will...

Page 54: ...e following sequence of displays Press any other numeric Key Address 9983 is displayed indicating that this is the highest 4 digit address available The next numeric key press re starts the sequence P...

Page 55: ...n will appear in the display with a direction arrow and blinking smoke The blinking smoke indicates which side of the throttle is active is displaying function information on the top line of the LCD 8...

Page 56: ...e the R Throttle knob or the LOCO Key to select the desired loco address Once the locomotive is selected the R Throttle knob will be able to control the speed control and direction of that locomotive...

Page 57: ...a single locomotive address with both throttles being able to send commands to the loco Both throttles will show the current speed and direction of the loco motive in their displays Slot following is...

Page 58: ...peed Turn the Throttle Knob that the loco address is selected on counterclockwise until the speed display shows 00 and the loco stops moving This lets you slow down your loco and stop it prototypicall...

Page 59: ...all locos on the layout To resume operations press the PWR Key followed by the Y Key again and the locomotives will start running again at the same speed they were running prior to STOP mode To exit...

Page 60: ...the locomo tive at the programmed deceleration rate come to a stop then accelerate at the programmed acceleration rate in the opposite direction 12 0 Controlling Functions 12 1 Controlling F0 F8 with...

Page 61: ...eration Note Super Empire Builder s DB150 can control F0 F8 only Keys for F9 F12 have no effect DCS50 DCS100 comand stations can control F0 F12 12 1 3 Function 2 F2 Key Press the Horn 2 Key on the num...

Page 62: ...locomotives in a consist to the same address and run them on one throttle In this case all the locomotives must be headed in the same direction head to tail head to tail head to tail If you use decod...

Page 63: ...TOP locomotive does not have to be a physical loco on the track it can be a phantom Digitrax defines the TOP loco as the loco on the R Throttle Knob at the time when the MU add is performed All loco a...

Page 64: ...s to the consist The L Throttle display shows the address of the loco that was added to the consist with a cn in the text line above it The R Throttle display shows the address of the TOP loco address...

Page 65: ...R Throttle TOP loco it will become a nested consist In this case the whole nested consist is linked itself will be part of the new consist The loco that is selected in the L Throttle to be removed fr...

Page 66: ...hrottle knobs or key pad to browse to a new address and select it instead 14 1 Dispatching addresses or consists Dispatching is a special feature incorporated in the LocoNet language to meet the needs...

Page 67: ...decoder s performance characteris tics by changing the CV values entered in the CVs Each of these CVs can be set up when your command station is in the programming mode or by using the Digitrax PR1 y...

Page 68: ...enter a CV Number above 255 the throttle will automatically return the display to 000 Use the DT400 key pad to enter CV Numbers while in Programming Mode Example Key in CV47 Press the 4 Key CV 004 is...

Page 69: ...he programming track If you are using operations mode programming the loco you want to program can be anywhere on the layout but it must have a decoder that is capable of ops mode programming installe...

Page 70: ...Po Operations mode In ops mode the left side of the display will show the address that will have programming commands directed to it Ops mode is discussed separately in Section 15 4 3 After a few sec...

Page 71: ...by a blinking square during programming If you programmed a 2 digit address you can proceed to step 13 to program other CVs or you can exit programming mode and run trains 9 If you are programming a...

Page 72: ...do and suggested values for each CV 1 Place the decoder equipped locomotive you want to program on the programming track If you are using operations mode programming the loco you want to program can...

Page 73: ...y CVs and their values as you want in a session When you are finished press the EXIT Key to quit program ming mode and return to normal operations 9 If your command station is a DB150 and you are usin...

Page 74: ...ngle programming track Radio throttles do not need to be plugged in to LocoNet during Ops Mode Programming When you enter programming mode with a radio throttle Ops mode is the only programming mode t...

Page 75: ...ce mode programming How to use Operations Mode Programming To Program 4 Digit Addresses Because the programmer writes CVs sequentially programming 4 digit addresses requires a slightly different proce...

Page 76: ...side of the display Use the throttle knobs or numeric keypad to enter the 4 digit address you want to program 5 Press the ENTER Key to program the 4 digit address 6 The display will prompt you with A...

Page 77: ...DB150 can refresh at the same time When the command station refreshes data sent to decoders it is just repeating previously issued commands The reason for this is to be sure that the decoders don t fo...

Page 78: ...e DB150 you can customize how your system handles purging 1 The DB150 s default purge time is about 3 1 4 minutes 200 seconds 2 Purge time can be increased to 10 minutes 600 seconds by setting the DB1...

Page 79: ...display will show the current sta tus of the decoder To display the status code of the loco address that is flashing in the display when you enter selection mode just turn the throttle knob up one add...

Page 80: ...our Digitrax system Changing the decoder s status will cause the system to handle this decoder as a 14 step decoder Status editing does not reprogram anything in the decoder 18 0 Sw Switch Mode Switch...

Page 81: ...position for this turnout Press the OPTN t Key to move the switch to the thrown position OR the CLOC c Key to move it to the closed position 6 If the switch you selected is a turnout connected to an a...

Page 82: ...aster than normal rate LocoNet has its own networked fast clock for all Digitrax throttles connected to your system 19 1 Fast Clock Basics Fast clocks during operating sessions to simulate prototypica...

Page 83: ...ock for the entire system at the currently displayed time Fast time will re start when a new non zero rate value is set The current fast clock time fast clock rate and the DT400 alarm time can be chan...

Page 84: ...r will dis play EA Edit Alarm and the text will show a 12 or 24 hour time Use the throttle knobs to dial up the alarm time Press the EDIT Key again to set the fast clock alarm NOTE The fast clock alar...

Page 85: ...en you power up the layout again This procedure is covered in detail in Section 14 1 1 Turn track power off Press the PWR Key followed by the N PWR This example shows a DT400 in FIND mode for address...

Page 86: ...also install enough LocoNet jacks around the layout for normal walkaround operation with tethered throttles The LocoNet jacks are also used by tetherless throttles for selecting loco addresses to run...

Page 87: ...her screw terminal on the UR connect it to the other rail of the track 3 If you are hooking up more than one UR or UP be consistent in hook ing up all track sections alike with respect to which termin...

Page 88: ...ck NOT connected to DC Power To Next LocoNet Connection To Next LocoNet Connection Wire together small holes filled with solder on UP5s UP3s UR90s UR91s To next UP or UR panel Note You can run up to 1...

Page 89: ...om red to green or green to red when you reverse the direction of address 00 Do this test without an analog loco on the track and you will still see the indicator color change By removing the loco fro...

Page 90: ...install additional units to get the best IR reception The following installation procedure is more organized and may save you money by helping you install fewer UR90s to get adequate coverage Since in...

Page 91: ...he whole layout area you will be able to determine whether any infrared blind spots exist 10 When you locate blind spots adjust the location of the UR90s until you have good reception everywhere in th...

Page 92: ...d observe that the command was received by the system Slowly rotate in place at each test location to check reception from various directions By moving around the whole layout area you will be able to...

Page 93: ...ri enced in some buildings with metal floors and roofs Changing the UR91 antennas will not lead to improved range performance 3 If adjustment of UR91 s location and antenna wires does not clear a stub...

Page 94: ...east one infrared and or radio receiver is connected to LocoNet The throttle will display either rA or Ir depending on whether it finds an infrared or radio receiver first followed by the current Loco...

Page 95: ...l deviate from the LocoNet system clock The fast clock will re synchronize with your LocoNet system fast clock when it is plugged in again 23 1 LocoNet ID Change Your DT400 R will log on to the LocoNe...

Page 96: ...mitter The DT400 R must be plugged into LocoNet to select an available locomotive address After an address is selected on your DT400 R you can unplug from LocoNet and run the selected addresses with i...

Page 97: ...ed in to LocoNet MU operations are locked out while the DT400 R is running tether less Once a consist is assembled it can be operated normally using the DT400 R in tetherless mode Programming Ops mode...

Page 98: ...ime When you are locking the keyboard be sure to press both the Y N Keys AT THE SAME TIME to avoid sending a speed command to the active loco 2 The throttle will display Lock in the display and none o...

Page 99: ...the number displayed will be the power provided by LocoNet This value will be between 9 15 volts Other characters will also be displayed in the LCD depending on which locos are selected and their spee...

Page 100: ...up the following options for each DT400 throttle to customize the way it operates You can choose between ballistic and normal tracking whether the fast clock is displayed by default whether the keys...

Page 101: ...ue lets you know to expect to use hex numbers Pressing the throttle keys will not change to decimal values in this case 4 Use the R or L throttle knob to change the setting for OP 1 Set the option val...

Page 102: ...action 25 1 2 Key Knob Clicks On Off DT400 can be set up to click each time you press a key or turn one of the knobs Some users like to have this auditory feed back and others don t Your DT400 was shi...

Page 103: ...y decoders that are only able to recognize 28 speed steps you can change this setting 25 2 2 Tetherless Operation Mode Each DT400 can be set up with radio capability and or infrared capability enabled...

Page 104: ...nly Enabled x43 128 step decoder Radio Only Enabled x44 28 step FX decoder Radio Only Enabled x47 128 step FX decoder Radio Only Enabled x48 Disable default decoder operation override Radio Only Enabl...

Page 105: ...et up to run in 12 hour format or 24 hour format 25 3 3 Recall Stack Depth The DT400 recall feature can be set to keep a list of the last 4 8 or 16 addresses that were selected in the throttle 25 3 4...

Page 106: ...ur format 4 Yes x0C Off 24 hour format 4 Yes x0D Low intensity 24 hour format 4 Yes x0E Medium intensity 24 hour format 4 Yes x0F High intensity 24 hour format 4 Yes x10 Off 12 hour format 8 No x11 Lo...

Page 107: ...ld not change this value Table VII DT400 Throttle Option 3 Set Up Choices Continued Op 3 Value Backlight Brightness Clock Format Recall Stack Depth Tether less Release x20 Off 12 hour format 16 No x21...

Page 108: ...ou are configuring by unplug ging it from the DB150 s LocoNet Jack A or B 4 Connect a DT throttle directly to either DB150 LocoNet Jack A or B 5 Press the MODE Key on the throttle to enter Sw Switch m...

Page 109: ...or DB150 Op Switches 36 37 38 39 For Op Switch 36 39 to work properly 1 Set the op switch to c then 2 Set the DB150 to SLEEP mode 3 Set the DB150 back to RUN mode 4 The operation will occur data will...

Page 110: ...t c 7 128 step FX mode t c t 1 Motorola Trinary t OpSw 23 c t t 2 14 step mode c c t 0 28 step t OpSw 25 Do Not Change c OpSw 27 Disable normal switch commands a k a the Bushby bit Allows attached PC...

Page 111: ...9 the configuration register match the command station output If your decoder is a 14 step decoder running on any Digitrax system using factory defaults status editing will be needed for that decoder...

Page 112: ...ur DB150 should beep and shutdown when the short is present When the short is removed the booster should return to normal operation If this does not hap pen then you need to add more feeders 27 6 The...

Page 113: ...cially important with inexpensive locomotives Using Digitrax decoders with appropriate programming settings you can achieve surprisingly good quality motion if you carefully adjust the mecha nisms for...

Page 114: ...operations Advanced mode is offered in most command stations because there are decoders on the market that are not capable of 128 step mode operation 128 Speed Step Mode the motor voltage speed curve...

Page 115: ...ying number programmed into a particular mobile or stationary decoder The DCC system uses the decoder address to send com mands to the appropriate loco or accessory decoder Address Range Analog addres...

Page 116: ...ack wards in the consist Booster Boosters receive the DCC signal from the Command Station amplify it put it on the track as the power that runs the locos You can have several boosters on a system each...

Page 117: ...ns or pigeonholes in your decoders By programming values into various CVs you can control each decoder s performance characteristics CVs store information like the decoder s address start voltage mid...

Page 118: ...s that receives the signal from the command station through the track decodes it tells the turnout accessory what to do Decoder Status the Digitrax command station assigns each decoder a status based...

Page 119: ...smoke units and other locomotive animation tasks FX Functions specially designed functions available on Digitrax FX series decoders that let you set up lights on your loco to simulate Mars lights Gyra...

Page 120: ...14 or 28 128 speed steps See also Speed Steps 14 Speed Step Mode 128 Speed Step Mode Operations OPS Mode Programming lets you program CVs in DCC locos equipped with EPF decoders while they are on the...

Page 121: ...of turnouts and their specified positions that will be triggered by the activation of a single TOP switch address to a specified position Scaleable Speed Stabilization Back EMF a decoder that uses bac...

Page 122: ...g two throttles logged on to and controlling one address See also Slot Following t thrown indicates that the turnout is set for the diverging route For op switch set ups consult your manual for the me...

Page 123: ...ation If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television recep tion which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on the user is encouraged to try to correct the inter...

Page 124: ...o abuse such as failure to properly protect against input over current with a fuse or circuit breaker or applying excessive input voltage to the unit We will make any repair needed because of physical...

Page 125: ...0 Consist 62 113 114 117 119 D D DB150 Option Switch Setup 107 DB150 option switches 77 DC and DCC together 28 deceleration 57 59 117 decoder status 77 117 direct home wiring 115 117 direction 58 DT30...

Page 126: ...stem 17 slots 76 speed control 56 status editing a decoder 121 Stealing 121 STOP key 57 switch mode 79 T T Testing LocoNet Cables with an LT1 29 TOP 62 track power 9 50 TRACK STATUS 9 36 track voltage...

Search results

Summary of Contents for Super Empier Builder

Reviews:

Related manuals for Super Empier Builder

Brands by name

Popular brands

Digitrax Super Empier Builder, Manual

Search results

Summary of Contents for Super Empier Builder

Reviews:

Related manuals for Super Empier Builder

Brands by name

Popular brands