Video není dostupné.
Omlouváme se.
My Beef with Digitrax DS 74
Vložit
- čas přidán 26. 09. 2021
- Digitrax_ DS74 Quad Stationary Decoder--- A look at some of the mechanical and electrical problems I have had with this replacement for the DS64 (which is discontinued). Hopefully, Digitrax will update this product.
I had no idea those terminal blocks were so easily removable! I'll need to watch out for that; good to know. I guess it is implied by the image in page 2 of the manual for the DS74, but I certainly hadn't realised. Thanks for posting.
Another thing. The ribbon cable is very difficult to wire to a terminal block for push buttons. The DS64 was great. I have also run into an issue today. I have set up two 74s. One push button for an assigned turnout (number 106) actuated a turnout (number109) that is on the other 74. I have triple checked all my wiring and it is good. The push button for number 109 works fine. All the other turnouts on both units work fine. I am opening a ticket with Digitrax. Crazy!
Randy - let us know what you find out., If you change turnout 106 to another number will it still actuate turnout #109 on the other 74 ? You can still buy some 64s but not for long.
If I follow the base numbering, setting a DS74to 106 will also get 107, 108, and 109 on the same unit. A second unit would have to start with 110 (I think)
Yeah, they want you to buy the breakout board for another $12 or something. The DS64 was already pricey then they jacked up the price on the DS74 and added the terminal block. Larger installations are going to have to look and see if the alternatives will meet their needs.
I think the biggest issues are the inability to program random turnout addresses, and the lack of JMRI support
Thanks for the great review. I have been looking closely at the DS74 to see if it might meet my needs and I am still not 100% sure. That said, I am not sure what a better option would be.
I want to be able to use the 10 pin connector for 4 local momentary buttons to switch Tortoise switch motors, but the I also want to take one side of the SPDY output on the Tortoise and run it back to the sense pins of the 10 pin conector to get feedback on the actual position of the turnout. Basically I want to be able to keep JMRI up to date whether I throw the turnout manually or via DCC.
One other option is using the Digikeijs DR4018 and DR4088LN-GND to throw and then listen to the turnouts, but they are a more expensive solution.
I would love to hear your thoughts. -Heath
I am not familiar with the Digikeijs products. Having said that I think the DS74 will do what you want. Also, there is a large user base community, a robust Google IO group and a Facebook group. So you would be able to get a lot of support. I have also called Digitrax support directly and they are very knowlegable.
Thanks for the video and info. As a new Djgitrax user it’s disappointing. I have one DS64 on my layout and I guess the next ones will be DS74s.
Have you experienced problems when using the Digitrax PS14 to power the DS74. If I power down my entire layout and then power up, the DS74 will not function until I remove the power supply pin plug from the back of the DS74 and then reconnect. Conversely, if I use the NCE P114 to power the DS74, the DS74 powers up without problems. What is your experience?
I have not had that problem, but I do not use the PS14. I use a generic power supply..
@@PracticalEngineeringSolutions I just experienced that problem too with the PS14 without the red indicator light on the plug. It fails to power up like you just said. I found some more PS14's with the indicator lights and everything works fine.
And another thing or two......
* you lose the ability to set the pulse width in milliseconds to drive a solenoid or relay. All you get is a capacitive discharge on/off. The DS64 is more flexible.
* you can no longer wire power to the front connector like you would on a command station or booster. You are forced to use the 2.5mm barrel connector on the back which is fine if you want a forest of PS14's. Not so good if you have a dedicated power supply for all your DS74's. (not using track power to power this thing...)
* on a postive note, I do like the abilty to change the addresses with a DT602. I know, I am lucky to have one I guess. But it really is handy.
I really wish I could keep buying the DS64.
They are still available Steve but are harder to find than before.
Ion the ds64 I was able to control 1 turnout with two detection zones. I haven’t found a way to do it with the 74
I have the same problem with the DS74 and the loose terminal block. I have a number of DS64 and 74s on the underside of my layout boards. Friction isn't enough to hold the connections in place on the DS74 when the device is mounted upside down. Does anyone have an easy fix for this?
Only thing I can think of is to solder wires to the pins before installation of the DS74
Something I see that I do not like is that you need a DT602 to program it!
You don't but some of the new easy programming only works with the DT602. The manual is quite confusing.
I use a DT400
@@woodalexander It's digitrax, the manual is always confusing! LOL I wish they would charge $1 more per item and hire a non-engineer to make manuals that are understandable. I always have to go to youtube to find out how to do something! Thank goodness for all the post educational vid's!
@@kurtumlauf5823 The manuals back in 2007ish with the DT400 and Super Chief were amazing, I still have the spiral bound ones for my older Digitrax equipment. Their manual writing has gone way downhill even as the overall ease of use of their products has improved. The problem with the current manuals is that they've skimped on them and they're over-simplified so if you want to do more than the basics, you are forced to read between the lines and deduce how things are done, and some stuff just isn't documented at all. No one on the list knew that you can set the start/end points on DS78v servos for something like a year, which is mind boggling. I generally like Digitrax, but I think they've tried to do too much by trying to be the first and one of only two (along with ESU) end-to-end DCC and layout control vendors on the market.