Digitrax FAQ

Digitrax FAQ section. This document contains links to topic related FAQ's.

] Command Stations / Boosters

Most Digitrax Command Stations double as boosters, so this section has been combined.

should the DB150 be blinking when used as a booster?

Yes. When the DB150 is in booster mode, the green power light will blink to indicate that it's in booster mode versus command station + booster mode. The DB200 doesn't blink because it doesn't have command capability. The purpose of the blinking light on the DB150 is to let you know the it's operating in booster mode and not using the command capabilities.

 Can I use other brands of boosters on my Digitrax system?

Yes, but they must be connected in very specific ways. Only the Uhlenbrock Intellibox systems can be directly connected over the Loconet. Any other system will require you to make special cables to connect the other boosters.

You can use.... (Okay, I know you can, but I don't know what boosters will work...Anyone?)

 Reset DCS 100/200 - Chief

There are two ways to reset this device.

1. OpSw 36 clears the locomotive slots, but leaves other settings alone.
• Used when your command station is not clearing slots, or when all slots are full.
2. OpSw 39 resets the command station to factory default. This means it clears all of the address "slots" and resets all options to default, as the unit came from the factory.
• This clears ALL of the stored information in the command station, including switches, routes, and consists!. It also resets the station to have a limit of 22 slots, even if it was previously set to allow 120. BE CAREFUL WHEN USING THIS OpSw!

See the SuperChief instruction manual available on-line at: http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/superchief.pdf

See Table VII, p 118 of the manual for items it resets

 Programming FAQ

 Is there a way to read the cv setting on a decoder using an Empire Builder?

Not with the Empire Builder - the Digitrax DB150 cannot read back CVs, using any combination of hardware or software. The functionality is simply not built into the command station. The Chief and the Zephyr systems can read CVs.

Error Messages

Various error messages.

 "slot=max"

The slot=max error means that you have used all of the available "slots" in your command station. (or you have the maximum number of locomotives allowed by your system in use)

The maximum number of locomotives that can be run at any one time depends on the number of available slots in the command station. Each command station has a different maximum number of slots available. The DCS50 (Zephyr) has 10 slots, the DB150 (Empire Builder) has 22 slots, and the DCS100 (Super Chief) has up to 120 slots.

Note: It is a common misunderstanding that locomotives are associated with throttles, and that the limit on locomotives depends on the throttle. The number of slots available in the command station dictates the maximum number of locomotives that can be "managed" by the system at any one time.

The number of slots used depends on a few factors including the number of locomotives in use on the system, the number of consists defined, and the consisting type used. For more information see the sections on consisting elsewhere in the DCCWiki.

If you receive a slots=max error you need to free some slots on the command station. There are a number of different ways to do this.

Setting OPSW 36

If you reset OPSW 36 on your command station, all mobile decoder addresses and MU information will be cleared out of your Command Station. The manual that came with your command station will explain how to use the OPSW's (Op Switches). Note that this proceedure will erase all consist information that is stored in the command station. (Universal Consists)

Releasing Individual Locomotives

A common reason for using all the slots in a command station is that locomotives are not properly dispatched when operators are finished with them. To free a slot used by an individual locomotive, first make sure that the locomotive is removed from any consist that it may be part of. Then select the locomotive on a throttle, set the speed to zero, and dispatch the locomotive (see the throttle manual for instructions on how to dispatch locomotive addresses). This will set the slot to "free" and it can then be assigned to another locomotive when needed. Continue this proceedure for all locomotives that are occupying slots, but are not in use. (it may be difficult to determine which locomotive addresses are occupying slots in the command station)

Computer Interface and Software

If you have a computer interface for your DCC system there are software products that allow you to see a list of all the slots on your command station, and indicate the status of each slot. Some also give you the capability to free slots with the click of a mouse button. The free JMRI software (http://jmri.sourceforge.net/) contains the Slot Monitor which provides this functionality.

Throttles

General FAQ for Digitax throttles.

Upgrade UT-4 to UT-4R?

According to the Digitrax website, it is possible to upgrade the the UT-4 throttle to a UT-4R (Radio). Contact Digitrax for pricing and details (and then update this with any additional information).

See Also

• Digitrax Portal
• Digitrax - General article on Digitrax.