The KISS instructions for new Digitrax users

OZARKS MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION

-OMRA-

Digitrax DT100 throttle

By Jim Quarles

Power:

 

Use the STOP & ‘+’ or ‘-‘ keys to turn on or off track power.

 

Selecting Loco : 
(from manual page 40, section 11.5.1)

 

Make sure MODE pointer points to LOCO!!!!

 

It is MUCH simpler to use this throttle with 2 digit addresses.

 

Twist the throttle knob you wish to make active – you can also do this with the direction key.

 

Press the SEL key to go into selection mode for that throttle.

Dial up the loco number you wish: Loco number will be on the left side of the colon in window.

 

Status code for that decoder will be on the right side of the window.

03, 13, 23 are valid selectable status codes -  33 means this loco is in use and cannot be chosen – etc.

 

When chosen loco is in the window, press the SEL key again and active throttle should have control of that loco decoder.  The speed % value is shown on the right side of the colon while the loco number is on the left side.

 

If you dial a throttle knob to the left while choosing a loco it is possible to go below zero.  This is where the aliased 2digit – 4 digit number are shown.  This is from the time when decoders couldn’t handle 4 digit addresses so I don’t think it is a valid use that needs to be discussed.

 

4 digit addresses are the same as above but to start the process hold down the SEL key as you start dialing the addresses with the knobs.  When the EXP light lights up you can release the SEL key and use the left knob to dial the first two digits of the address and the right knob to dial the right two digits.

 

Releasing a loco so you can choose another:

 

Be sure the speed of the loco in question is set to ‘0’

Press SEL then MODE/DISP

CONSISTING OR MULTIPLE UNITS (MU):    (Manual page 65, section 18.1)

Select the loco you wish to be the TOP or master loco on right throttle.

Note: The master or TOP loco is how the whole consist will be addressed when you are operating the consist.

 

Select additional loco on the left throttle.

Make sure they are operating in the correct direction.

Press MODE key until the mode selector points to MU.

Press the ‘+’ key to add them together.

 

Check the consist with the right throttle for proper operation.

 

 

Breaking up a consist (MU)

 

Get control of the TOP loco with the right throttle.

Get control of the loco you wish to remove from the consist with the left throttle.

Press the MODE key until the MODE indicator is indicating MU and press the ‘-‘ key to remove the left loco from the consist.

 

NOTE: To completely breakup a consist this must be done for all locos in the consist.

 

Forcing A Selection, or "Stealing" A "Lost" Locomotive

 

You won't be able to select a locomotive into a throttle if the DCS100 realizes it is already "in-use." It is possible to override this interlock & force the DT100 to select an already "in-use" loco. This is called locomotive "stealing" & can result in two throttles logged onto a single locomotive. Because of this multiple-throttle interaction you should be careful when you use stealing. It is useful to use to gain control of "lost" locomotive before the system actually purges it.

 

To Steal a Locomotive Using a DT100:

 

1. Use either throttle knob to browse to the address of the DCC locomotive you want to steal. In 2 digit short address mode the DCC locomotive status digits on the right will typically show "33" indicating this address is "in use" & not normally selectable.

 

1a. If you are in a 4 digit address display mode the Loco status will flash up "St:33" after your browsing address has been stable for at least a second.

 

2. Before you time-out of "browse" mode & while you still have the loco you want to steal showing in the display, disconnect the DT100 from LocoNet. The display should immediately go "idLE".

 

3. Press & hold the direction arrow for the throttle side you were using in step (1) & plug the DT100 back into LocoNet. After the DT100 beeps you can release the direction key and the throttle you are using should be logged onto the "stolen" locomotive address. Note that a throttles' direction key being depressed when it is plugged into LocoNet is the authorization for only that throttle to steal.

 

4. Once a throttle has "stolen" a loco the slot following mode becomes active and both throttles will update speed and direction information for the address.