DR4018 Setup - Part 1

[@BattiModelRailway]

Thank you Will & Ryan for the note to set the CV47 to 6 which resolved the problem of my Cobalt not throwing completely. Many thanks.

[@seiya880]

Wow, thank you so much! Very clear explanation, it greatly helped me setting up my 4018! Couldn't find anywhere else some clear walkthrough

[@teadyconnolly9590]

Thank you Ryan for taking time to explain how this works out for all the Tortoise Motors I am really looking forward to having all 35 Tortoise Motors and the correct units to suit my Peco Electrofrog Points and my Roco and Fleishman Z21 Black Box System and to get my BNSF Memphis Intermodal Fully Functional Container Gantry Crane and to get my BNSF Memphis Intermodal Container and Chassis Terminals up and running correctly and I am really looking forward to be able to change all my Points from my Z21 Multimanus and just to be able to run Locos and Switchers and to change the Points Greetings from the South West of Ireland

[@SiebiLikesTrains]

Very Good Tutorial.. Thanks. Best Regards Siebi

[@IronPlanetHobbies]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@Joe-td4pq]

Has anyone set up a route tree using a 4018? For example, in a yard setting, you may want one turnout address to control multiple turnouts.

[@IronPlanetHobbies]

Yes, you can set it up to have 1 turnout command throw any number of turnouts on the same DR4018. If you need more than 8 different routes or macros then you will need some type of software like JMRI to do that.

[@Joe-td4pq]

@@IronPlanetHobbies Do you have a video or any documentation on how to set it up?

[@angelmoratroncoso9431]

Hello Friend how are you? Great video. I have a question. I bought a DR5033 to improve my design, but my head unit is a Digitrax DB150. Can I configure it with the Throttle DT402 or with PanelPro? Thank you very much. A hug.

[@IronPlanetHobbies]

Since you are using a DB150, you will want to use the Track Sniffer and not the LocoNet cable if both are going to the track. Make sure to have less than .8v difference between the booster districts. However, you can still configure it with Panel Pro via LocoNet. Go to the add new loco tab. In the decoder definitions you will find Digikeijs. In there you will find the DR5033. Open the comprehensive programmer and you will find the options.

[@angelmoratroncoso9431]

@@IronPlanetHobbies Hi Ryan, good day. Thank for you response. I will try do it. Regards

[@aakat51]

Hi I'm just getting started on the Digikeijs system...can you explain how you program multiple DR4024 and change the preset numbers eg. 1st one 1 to 4 (preset) 2nd one 5 to 8, 3rd one 9 to 12 & so on. Thanks in advance. Alan

[@IronPlanetHobbies]

The DR4024 will program the same as the DR4018. Once you set the starting number the other outputs will follow in line. If you set the board ID to 4 then the second output will be at 5 and the third at 6....... Let me know if that answers your question.

[@willthompson9597]

Great videos and thanks for showing. They're the only reason I can set up the digikeijs devices. I have a DR4108 and DR4101 and a tortoise or cobalt humms when after stalling (ie point thrown). The cobalt is very loud. Cv47 is set to 6 as I couldn't get a long enough throw using setting 13. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks

[@IronPlanetHobbies]

Since making the video, I have also found 6 to be a better option as some of the Tortoises would not throw all the way even at maximum time. As far as the noise (humm) goes, I have not had that issue and I have installed lots of them. It might have something to do with the power supply. Try using a lower voltage supply and see what happens.

[@willthompson9597]

@@IronPlanetHobbies thanks Ryan for the super quick reply. My setup was using the dr5000 as the power supply but was going to try a 12v dc 3a power supply. Is that a bit too powerful? Cheers Will

[@IronPlanetHobbies]

@@willthompson9597 Yes, using the DR5000 could be too high of voltage for the Tortoise. The DR4018 can handle it but the switch machines can't. Here is the quote from Circuitron "This system uses the most basic power source, a simple DC supply of not more than 12 volts. Lesser voltages will make the TORTOISE run slower (and quieter). The power supply need not be filtered. Each TORTOISE will draw 15-16 ma. at stall, so 30 switch machines can be powered by a single 9 or 12 volt, 500 ma." Following this, I would look for a simple wall wart at around 10v and .5 amp. I use a Digitrax PS14 on mine.

[@willthompson9597]

@@IronPlanetHobbies thanks again Ryan - I'll probably end up trying a power supply that you suggest. I've tried a 12vDC 3a supply that i have and the humm is noticebly quieter. If i include a bit of foam when mounting the tortoise I think it'll won't be noticable as I'm sure the layout board is amplifying the humm. Via another forum it's been suggested that i could change the output voltage (say CV 113)... do you know if thats something that can be done using the preset CV 47 using value 6? If so is the range 1-255? Many thanks again for your help. cheers Will

[@ModelRailroadTechniques]

Hi does your switch machine make a humming noise when sitting idle?

[@ModelRailroadTechniques]

hi, I tried your ideas on this video. It must be inherent to DCC concepts cobalt switch motors as I can get it to work with tortoises using cv47 to 2 and 113-128 to 10 from memory. I will keep trying..any suggestions??

[@willthompson9597]

I'm getting a humming noise too... using tortoise or a cobalt. Setup DR4018 & DR4101 The colbalt is very loud. Any solutions?

[@chustaceTheLoftyN-Scaler]

Question, I have several of these units, but have never tried to use them for Kato N-Scale Unitrack. Have you used the DR4018 to switch a Kato Unitrack switch?

[@ryanmatthews1225]

Yes they will work. You will also need DR4101. They come in a pack of 4. You can find them here: www.ebay.com/itm/252438381731?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649 or www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0145I7HA8