Shake-the-Box wiring

[mikethekiwi]

Hello All, I am starting a small layout to try out various techniques, and have decided to base it on Ian Morton's Shake-the-box layout as described in Hornby magazine. I am puzzled by some lettering on the wiring diagram ( http://www.shake-the-box.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=65 ) the "DS" "HC" and "Q". Could someone decipher these for me (or as I am on the other side of the world, should I simply stnd on my head to read them?)

 

Oh, and supplemntary question if I may. I am taken with the idea of diodes at the end of sidings to prevent errant locos heading off into the sunset,, or even worse, on to the kitchen floor! Is there a simple equivalent for DCC?

 

thanks in advance for help.

 

Mchael

[ian]

DS = Double straight, HC = Half curve Q = Quarter straight - they are the 'non-standard' track pieces and are nothing to do with the electrics, honest!

 

Unfortunately there is no equivalent to the diode safety stop on DCC. Sorry.

 

Ian

[mikethekiwi]

Thanks for the quick reply Ian.

 

regards

 

Michael

[Prof Klyzlr]

 

Unfortunately there is no equivalent to the diode safety stop on DCC. Sorry.

 

Ian

 

 

... which is one of the reasons that a simple dumb-timer shuttle can be accomplished on analog far easier and cheaper than it can on DCC...

 

Remember, NMRA S9 says

 

"Right Rail = Positive Voltage = Forward movement"

 

Happy Modelling,

Aim to Improve,

Prof Klyzlr

 

PS The NMRA DCC spec does provide for "stop on DC"

 

IE - a loco under DCC control passes onto a section of track with regular DC voltage on it

- sensing the "disappearance" of the DCC control data, it comes to a stop, after obeying it's momentum CV behaviour

- and should "restart" if/when the DC voltage is removed, and replaced with valid DCC data again

 

This is _kind-of_ what you are looking for, but requires

- active detectors

- a DC voltage source

- and some active switching to swap the signal-to-the-rails from DCC > DC > DCC as required.

(not to mention somehow changing the "direction" packets in the DCC data stream)

 

Alternatively, you could restrict yourself to

- the digitraxx DCC system

(and spend a huge # of $$$$)

- and pickup a CML "black box" to do the smart stuff

 

http://www.cmlelectronics.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107:connecting-sensors-to-a-dss1-locoshuttle&catid=48:howtosequence&Itemid=98

 

OR

 

- set all of your DCC locos to a common address

(which kinda defeats the purpose of DCC's main party trick, being independent control of each loco directly),

- and do as Fred Miller has done with a DigiTrax UT1 "buddy throttle"

 

http://fnbcreations.net/Articles/UT1MODS.pdf

 

My vote? Stick with analog DC and the diodes

[Mallard]

The diode trick is great, but what happens if your beautiful new stanier 2-6-4T is running into the diode protected track in reverse. Not uncommen in a point to point.

Kitchen floor perhaps.????.

 

BobM

[Penlan]

DS = Double straight, HC = Half curve Q = Quarter straight - they are the 'non-standard' track pieces ...Ian

I will store that one ready then Ian..... and the bit about the Diodes.

 

Penlan

[ian]

I will store that one ready then Ian..... and the bit about the Diodes.

 

Penlan

 

It's OK Penlan - the STB layout doesn't use anything high-tech like DCC or diodes - that is just people trying to gild the lilly.

 

Don't forget folks - STB is at the Kernow/YMR exhibition in Camborne this weekend with either Penlan or myself on the controls.

[Guest baldrick25]

If its absolutely necessay to stop a loco heading to the floor, make the last 12-18 inches at the end of the siding isolated, ie cut a narrow insulated gap in one rail ( not needed to do both) . Then a remote 'press to make' switch connected across the gap will stop the runaway , unless its intentional and you hold the switch closed . Not very elegant , but if its a £100 worth of loco or an emergency stop , then I know which I would choose.