Multiple points via accessory decoder

[70s kid]

Stupid question probably but here goes anyway.

If I wire two points to fire at the same time using an accessory decoder, if I want to operate one or other individually (manually) - I presume this is possible? If so, and I change one manually, the next time I fire via accessory decoder, the points will just operate to the opposite side from whichever configuratoon they were last in? Probably not explaining well but for example both points are going to fire R-L and L- R back. If I change one manually, but wishing to leave the other as-is, changing one in isolation (manually) will not effect a change in the other non-manually adjusted one just because they are wired as a pair? 

Is it poss to have more than 2 points to operate at the same time?

Many thanks 

[Chrissaf]

Assumption 1. When you say operate manually, I assume you mean you operate the point by moving the point operation bar with your finger.

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Assumption 2. When you say wire two points to fire at the same time using accessory Decoder. You mean that you have wired both point motors in parallel to the SAME Accessory Decoder port and NOT using two ports with one point motor on each but given the same address.

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Assuming these assumptions are correct then:

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Let's say that you have used the Accessory Decoder to fire the point pair and both points have moved to the turn left position.

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You now move one of the points (point B) to the right using the point tie bar manually. Leaving the other point (point A) still in its turn left position.

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You now use the Accessory Decoder to re-issue the turn left command. Point A will remain in its turn left position as is. Point B will return to its turn left position.

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or

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You now use the Accessory Decoder to issue a turn right command. Point B will remain in its turn right position as is. Point A will switch to its turn right position.

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What will NOT happen is if a point is switched manually to the opposite direction that the next firing of the Accessory Decoder will make the manually switched point fire in the opposite direction. A left command is always left. A right command is always right. Regardless of the point physical starting position.

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Note: In my experience, when a point motor is attached underneath the baseboard using the extended pin. Trying to operate the point manually using the point operating tie bar with one's fingers doesn't always provide a snappy action due to the drag of the motor on the moving point parts.

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In answer to the second part of the question about operating more than two points at the same time. It is generally accepted that not more than two point motors should be wired to the same decoder port.

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If you are using RailMaster this is easy. You can configure 'routes' where you can define a number of port addresses as being part of a route. This gives a lot of flexibility as different routes can be defined that have multiple port addresses in them with some addresses being used in more than one route.

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Alternatively, in RM if you have ProPack you can configure RM to fire additional points when clicking on a point operation icon.

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If you don't have RM, then you could give two different physical Accessory Decoders the same address. Two decoders with the same address will respond to that address together. Say for example that two Accessory Decoders are given the same addresses 9-12. On the first port of both decoders two point motors are wired in parallel. Thus, when you switch port 9 all four point motors would switch together. This however could be a wasteful use of Accessory Decoders as a number of physical ports may not be useable in your layout design.

 

[70s kid]

Thanks a million Chris, exactly the info I need. Assumption 1 is correct and i have yet to try setting up the accessory decoder but it was my intention to wire both points to the same port - unless there's a benefit from wiring to 2 diff. ones but addressing with same number. I don't have rail-master and will def. stick to max 2 points when combining. 

Thanks as ever, great help