Digitrax SE74 Explained - Another Look At Signal Wiring

[@robertnadeau3007]

Best video I have ever seen on model railroading operate each week. I learned a little more about the DigiTrax system and programming through Jb MRI but I’m still at a very basic level. All this wiring can be very complicated, but the time you spent to explain all of this is invaluable and I couldn’t be more grateful. This is how I plan to set up my system but didn’t fully know how until now.

[@ClinchfieldModelRailroad]

You should also look into RR-cirkits SHD2. It is basically a single driver board that can be mounted directly under the layout below the signal and wired to a DCC bus or back up to the track. Reducing a lot of wiring back to a SE74 that might be far away. I originally used these on my layout but have since moved to MGP loconet signal decoders. Thanks for the great video.

[@marcellinden7305]

On the wish list, a Digitrax control set, a few SE74's and JMRI

[@jimworcester981]

Do it! Complex, frustrating, infuriating! But incredibly rewarding when you get it mastered! And an amazing system that can make your train come alive!

[@gpmccartney]

Many years ago I looked at the SE8c for signaling. There was no doubt that it was a revolutionary product for signaling. One of the detractors from it for me was the lack of having a lunar output. Being a B&O modeler, this was an issue. The SE74 seems to have rectified that issue, but to use it, you have to enable DCC signal addressing instead of turnout addressing of signal heads as shown in your videos. The fact that Digitrax has added DCC signal addressing I think is huge boon over using turnout commands. Have you tried this style of signal head control?

[@jimworcester981]

I really am not knowledgeable about any signaling other than what I showed in the videos. The signal addressing via the turnout switch commands is simple once it’s understood. I don’t know about using the other types of signaling models. JMRI makes it quite simple to control the signals in a signal system that is easy to understand. I can explain almost anything regarding the use of that system with JMRI but haven’t had time nor interest in other systems. I think the SE8C and the SE74 have considerable capabilities that will go unused because of lack of understanding. Just like JMRI! I am only interested in passing along what I have learned so others can benefit without having to spend the learning time I have already spent. 😁

[@ClinchfieldModelRailroad]

I’ve tried the signal addresses instead of the turnout addresses on the RR-cirkit SHD2’s. I prefer them as you mentioned where you have lunar or also a flashing color signal. But mostly because you are not controlling signals with turnout addresses, sounds counterintuitive and you don’t have to reserve turnout addresses for signals that you can’t later use for turnouts. You can have for example, a turnout address of 10 for a turnout and also a signal address of 10 for a signal. The only drawback I see is that you can’t remotely trigger a signal from a throttle. But then if you prefer to have all signals run automatically by JMRI, then you shouldn’t have to trigger signals manually.

[@robertnadeau3007]

What are those strips? Are those breakouts?

[@jimworcester981]

Yes. The terminal strips are the easiest way to connect the SE74 to the signals.

[@nathanwebster1634]

'promo sm'