Digitrax SE74 Explained - Part 3 - Wiring Signals

[@JohnPodowski]

Great job

[@ClinchfieldModelRailroad]

Wow, these are excellently done videos. Every modeller doing Digitrax signals should bookmark this. I myself started this way and wired up my layout like this. But I quickly found that I had to run a lot of wiring and use a lot of hardware and still needed to have a working computer and software. A lot of debugging if something went wrong. I ended up reducing the wiring by using locally installed signal decoders SHD2’s from RR-Cirkits that connect to a DCC bus. Later I upgraded to MGP signal decoders that again reduced the wiring and replaced a computer to run the logic and I don’t need to figure out turnout addresses. But as we say, do what works for you 😃 thanks for your extensive work. 😎

[@jimworcester981]

I’m glad you found them informative! I had already decided to go down the computer road because I liked using the interactive ability of an iPad and JMRI. The signals were a more recent addition to my layout. I will continue with JMRI because I also wanted to use some of the automation capability to run an automatic Budd car back and forth on a commuter route. So many possibilities and the SE74 is just one, but a complex one!

[@NEC_Amtrak]

Another great and very helpful video. Thanks Jim!

[@jimworcester981]

Glad you liked!

[@redwoodcityintheuknscalera7179]

what doesn't seem to be explained is how many inputs to the bdl 168 are the turnouts using is it one or two? i'm currently building my layout and slightly confused here i got all the hardware but tell me how many inputs are being used on the turnouts

[@jimworcester981]

@@redwoodcityintheuknscalera7179 each turnout will require one of the 16 channels on the BDL168. Using one of the SPDT switches on the Tortoise, Smail or other turnout motor will turn the circuit on or off. That is the same as a loco being in a track block or not! That causes current to flow thru the single BDL168 channel or not. In JMRI, that single channel will either be active or inactive which then indicates the turnout is either closed or thrown. I hope this helps. If not, give me another shout and I’ll try again!

[@redwoodcityintheuknscalera7179]

@ thanks for the reply that helps I’m using kato turnouts which will require further thought on how to this wether that be via a dpdt switch or the de 74

[@jimworcester981]

@ I could not find enough info on the Kato turnouts to decide if they have the same accessory switches as a Tortoise. I did notice some comments about changes that might be necessary for proper DCC operation. I can’t help you with this. On my own and our club layout I have used Atlas turnouts that are sturdy and simple. They are also wired correctly for DCC. I use Smail motors with the built in decoder on my own layout while at the club I use Tortoises controlled by the SE74. If you use the latter system (Tortoise + SE74), you won’t need to have a feedback system using accessory switches on the turnout motors as the SE74 reports back the current status of the turnout, except at startup, where a simple routine will quickly cycle all turnouts to get the initial status determined. The SE74 also provides all of the signal control. I recommend this system if you are going to have signaling. I will state that I have had several instances of the SE74 needing to be reinitialized for reasons I can’t yet determine! If you are not going to use signaling, forget the SE74. Since you are going to use Kato turnouts, you will have to explain how to hook them. It’s beyond my area of expertise.

[@PSB-gj9xd]

Jim, When you had the problem with the sensors not working correctly, did you power up and power down as per the Digitrax recommended method....ie trk_off, sleep,power off ? then power on, sleep to run, trk_on ? just trying to work out why the failures!

[@jimworcester981]

Without going through the video, I don't remember what "sensors not working correctly" you are referring to. I have encountered a couple of occasions where the SE74 would re-boot to it's original state without an obvious trigger. We suspect that there was a power surge, or someone accidentally playing with "programming mode" when they should not have done so. I did not go through the sequence you mentioned. If the situation presents itself again, I just go in and reset the CVs. Overall the system works well. It is just complicated to figure out how to set it up.

[@jlctrain3090]

Hello, thank you for this video which helped me configure the equipment for my model railway. Can you please give me the reference of your signals.

[@jimworcester981]

Thanks. Not sure what reference you are looking for, but I am currently using signals I bought from “wehonest.com”! I know! Crazy name, but they are inexpensive, of good quality, look good and work! I’ve used them almost exclusively on our club layout. They also are on eBay which is a little easier to work with. They have good customer service as well when contacted by email.

[@tazcountry4828]

Would help help if you added your part numbers and your diagram thank you for your video

[@railwaymechanicalengineer4587]

Ugh. The lack of railway engineering terminology in the USA is just mindboggling. "Two Head signal" You mean a Junction signal !!! And I suspect "A Security Element" means "Interlocking". In other words Signals B & C have to be "interlocked" through the Point (US "Switch") to ensure either signal can only give a "Proceed Aspect" when the route has been set for that signal !!!!