I am also looking into the system2 items as I am planning to use MQTT (instead of LCC) on my next layout.
Have you been able to reach anyone at Megapoints? I don¡¯t think they have a U.S. distributer, so shipping is very expensive. I want to see if they have any options to lower shipping. -- Heath
Thanks for your reply, I do t know Prima but guess it¡¯s a complete control system. I should have said I am using DR5000 with Itrain for control. I am just looking for additional point/frog control using the Loconet.? -- Dave, Portland
I use the prima which works a treat. To switch polarity I just have a frog gauge master auto frogs under each one but prima is a very good value for money controller and simple to program as well.
I am looking for some additional servo controllers with frog polarity control. I have been using DR4024 units with DR4102s on the frogs. I am considering megapoints system 2 as an alternative but just wondering what other people were switching to? -- Dave, Portland
Here is a link to some very help full instructions about this install.
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James Hudson
Director
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01823 429309
Unit 15, Bowdens Farm, Hambridge, Somerset,
TA10 0BP
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I just got my YD9401. It is a small board in a bag with a loose label. I went to the YaMoRC website for instructions which are in the form of a YouTube video. There is also some software to download and run with the DR5000 attached via
USB. Stepping through this I find that you have to register the system in order to receive an activation key which enables the upgrade. The turn around for this is not immediate. So the tip here is to start the process before you get delivery so that you don't
have to wait for it. I have yet to find anything that says to install the module before, after, or in the middle of running this software, but the part for requesting the activation key does not seem to have a dependency on the module being installed.
Our slogan: FROM modellers FOR modellers ;)? I am as crazy about trains as you guys are :P
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Anyway, a verrrrry good tip !? As of the time difference you guys start playing when we get to bed ;) So get your code a day or so before the installation of the YD9401.
You might even do the Firmware Update already. Will only break the networks communication with the old module ;)?
I just got my YD9401. It is a small board in a bag with a loose label. I went to the YaMoRC website for instructions which are in the form of a YouTube video. There is also some software to download and run with the DR5000 attached via USB. Stepping through this I find that you have to register the system in order to receive an activation key which enables the upgrade. The turn around for this is not immediate. So the tip here is to start the process before you get delivery so that you don't have to wait for it. I have yet to find anything that says to install the module before, after, or in the middle of running this software, but the part for requesting the activation key does not seem to have a dependency on the module being installed.
Re: DR5033 - should a short be detected between two power districts, each with its own DR5033 ?
First: The DR5033 was never intended to be used as an autoreverser. The so called "Phase detector" was a featured desired by late Mr. Keij Sr. ( because his first booster also had that ;) )
The thing is, that this "detector" was intended to be an aid when first installing the booster and then the blue light would indicate incorrect phase. So the user would be able to correct the wiring.
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Problems started to arise when also the DR5000 had to do RailCom Cut-Out auto polarity ( since different Boosters handled the DR5000 generated Cut-Out )
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So my advice: Turn Off the "Auto Phase" feature in the DR5033 and the "RailCom Cut-Out auto polarity" and set that polarity either by Hand or disable RailCom when not used.
And then of course take care your wiring is correct.
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Greets,
Karst
P.S. Our new YD7403 Booster will not have this "feature" anymore :)
Ahh OK thank you Jay, I have an old one home somewhere. Probably behind the wallpaper. I shall dig it out and give it a go. cheers Reg Adelaide Australia
I believe that to connect the YD7001 and a computer through a LAN connection you are going to need a router.? When a device connects to a LAN network it needs an ip address.? One of the functions of? a router is to provide this to the device (note: there are several types of ip addresses - dynamic, static, etc. that are beyond what I can answer simply).? So to join a network each device needs a ip address and normally this comes from the router - the YD7001 needs one and so does your computer.? Plugging the YD7001 an the computer together through A LAN cable will not work as far as I know - there may be a way to do this that someone who is a network guru can explain.
The router I use on my model railroad network at home is old - at least 15 years and by todays standards very slow - this network is completely isolated from my house network.? You do not need a gigabit router for your train since the data that is moving is very small versus the massive amount of data that moves when you stream video.? Others may be able to suggest a suitable router for your needs that can be purchased today and not cost you lots of $$$$.
I have not converted my clubs DR5000s to YD7001s yet - upgrade kit is on its way to me now.? So right now I don't have hands-on with making all this work.? Others have already converted and hopefully someone should be able to help with any network settings on the YD7001 and the software.
Jay Lennox - Toronto
Re: DR5033 - should a short be detected between two power districts, each with its own DR5033 ?
Yes, the Tam Valley Auto Reverser could automatically correct the short by reversing the phases.? But I would still have a switch set against me if the loco keeps going, and I would end up with a derailment.? The switch is 'thrown' by a Tortoise and its position in set by a simple double pole double throw mechanical switch.
We actually make use of 6 Tortoises on the club layout - 1 for each of our two turntables, 1 for each of two diamond crossings, and 1 for each of our two reversing sections.? They work very well at making sure the phases are changed before the boosters detect a short.?
Hi All, real Ludite question. Just upgraded the DR 5000 to YD7001. Went smooth as silk. I own Traincontroller 9 silver but thinking about upgrading to Gold 10. I currently use the TC Gold Demo program before committing., but wavering because cannot connect by LAN. I can connect beautifully by USB. All works a treat. But try and switch to LAN connection and it times out. YD7001 connection changed to LAN. Now here is my Luddite question, I have the YD7001 connected directly to the Computer. All my reading assumes I work through a router. My question is do I need to go through a router or should the connect work fine through a direct connection? I want to free up the USB connection to work with JMRI for points and rosters and Decoder Pro, Lokprogrammer etc. Best Wishes to All Reg SAR HO? Computer Wiz Wannabe.
Re: DR5033 - should a short be detected between two power districts, each with its own DR5033 ?
Hi With My layout, I have used a Tam Valley Auto Reverser , this section of track is made at a train length long .ps this section is a straight through section . I have no problems. Tam Valley Depot, got some diagrams on setup.? this may solve your problem. with this I would connect into Track Booster 1.
Andrew.
Re: DR5033 - should a short be detected between two power districts, each with its own DR5033 ?
First I will answer Adam's question.? Zorra is simply a spot on the layout where there is a switch that allows the single track mainline to be split into two tracks to allow trains to pass.? It also happens to be where booster power district #1 and #7 meet.
Now onto Bob's suggestion.? Yes, we did what you suggested - we disconnected the track leading to Zorra from booster #1 and bridged it with 12 gauge wire to booster #7 creating one very long block all supplied from booster #7 and if the switch was set against a train, we got a short on booster #7.? This was the first test we did last night.
So the question then came back to why no short under the original configuration of the boosters - I was reasonably confident that shorts were occurring if the switch was set against a train during the first 3 years after our conversion to DCC. So what has changed ???
We have another spot on the layout where we have a switch at a booster power district boundary.? So I did a test with the switch set against a loco at this spot and sure enough the one of the two boosters shorted.? Working as I expected.? What is the difference between this and Zorra?? Track feeders - they are much closer to the booster boundary (cut in the track) in this case than they are at Zorra.
When we looked under the layout the 12 gauge track bus wire leading up the hill from Quarry toward Zorra ends about 4 feet from the booster boundary?(cut in the track). So the last track feeder is about 4 feet from the booster boundary which is not ideal.? So we temporarily added a track feeder closer to the??booster boundary?(cut in the track) and sure enough with the Zorra switch set against a train coming from Quarry we get a short. The final solution added last night was to extend the 12 gauge track bus wire 4 feet toward up the hill toward Zorra, and add track feeders about 3 inches on the Quarry side from the booster boundary (cut in track).? We ran a bunch of tests to make sure we had a solid solution, and the booster shorted as expected with the switch set against the train every time (also works fine without a short if the switch is set correctly).
The mainline on the layout is code 70 nickel silver and it is not as good a conductor (higher resistance) as 12 gauge copper.? Perhaps giving the electricity a less resistive path to flow through allowed the booster to supply current more than 3 amps to what was a short and hence trip the internal breaker.?
Problem solved.? Perhaps these posts will help someone else. Over the next few weeks we have several operation nights planned and the Zorra switch will be very busy.? If anything changes I will add to this thread.
Very encouraging.? Thanks Karst and Vinny.? A rapidly flashing red light made me wonder if the board was slowly melting before my eyes.? I figure the board can blink all it wants if that means it is happy. LOL.
I'm excitedly awaiting the new WiFi module to "update/convert" my DR5000.? IPH reports it and some other nice YaMoRC tidbits are already shipped to me. It's awesome to see US/Canadian distribution underway.? Get ready to have to mail out lots of labels for DR5000 to YaMoRC command station conversions Karst! .? ;-)
Heath @ Human[c]ity Junction
Dave
karst.drenth
Bob Gamble