crg Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 On Page 10 of the Elite Unit - Operator's Manual, which deals with Second Loco Programming, it talks of a Programming Track as opposed to the Main Track. What does this mean please? What is a Programming Track? Also, what is the difference between Accesory/Points decoder R8247 and R8216? Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog RJ Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 A programming track is a piece of track which you connect to the "Prog" outlet on the back of the Elite. You can use any piece of track that is spare for this. as long as it is long enough for the loco that you want to program. When you need to program a loco, place it on this track and perform the programming. Once programming is complete you can move the loco back to the main track and try it.The difference between the point/accessory decoders is that the R8216 is only designed to control points and works best with the Select. The R8247 can control points and accessories which have a motor or it can be used to switch lights (such as signals) on and off and works best with the Elite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lottiecat Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 This may seem a silly question but can you leave the programming track plugged in all the time? I've programmed several locos but I've always disconnected the main track and then plugged in the programming track. Is this neccessary or can I just leave them both pplugged in all the time?thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog RJ Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Leave the two connected Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecamden Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 The programming track has to be isolated from the main track. I use a switch to isolate it, but you could use Insulated rail joiners or just have it not joined to the main track. But I leave the programming leads on all the time for convenience.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashbang Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 HiA Programming track and second loco programming is clearly shown in this Hornby Elite video No2... It may be of help? http://www.youtube.com/user/hornbyhobbiesltd#p/u/14/UlyW8UD1Pcw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crg Posted December 1, 2011 Author Share Posted December 1, 2011 Rog (RJ) said:A programming track is a piece of track which you connect to the "Prog" outlet on the back of the Elite. You can use any piece of track that is spare for this. as long as it is long enough for the loco that you want to program. When you need to program a loco, place it on this track and perform the programming. Once programming is complete you can move the loco back to the main track and try it.The difference between the point/accessory decoders is that the R8216 is only designed to control points and works best with the Select. The R8247 can control points and accessories which have a motor or it can be used to switch lights (such as signals) on and off and works best with the Elite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crg Posted December 1, 2011 Author Share Posted December 1, 2011 Thank you very much for your help. Your explanation is much clearer than the Hornby Manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregd99 Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 The manual is a bit challenging sometimes.I have read elsewhere in this forum that the rumoured 1.4 firmware has some more "task-based" descriptions in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggy25 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Only if we ever get it!Also I'm lead to believe these new menus will be for the Hornby Sapphire decoder to set up the fuel rates.CheersIanGregd99 said:The manual is a bit challenging sometimes.I have read elsewhere in this forum that the rumoured 1.4 firmware has some more "task-based" descriptions in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecamden Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 IanMuch as we need it ( v1.4) I am sort of hoping that it comes after Christmas now - And I hope they are testing it well with Railmaster!Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crg Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 Thanks. Having now programmed the accesory decorder I am at a loss to see how I actually switch the points over. Help please .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecamden Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Chris - its well explained in the Elite manual.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crg Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 Hi Steve - I am new to this and cannot for the life of me see in the manual instructions how to switch the points. Would you be able to give the page number please and I will study it. Many thanks for your help and patience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crg Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 Steve - Sorry, I have seen the instructions on Page 40, but cannot make it work. I think I have progarmmed the decoder (R8247 )following instructions on Page 39 for R8216) although I am surprised that I did not have to connect it to the Elite. I assume the decoder gets its powere from the point clip? Step 8 (Page 39) says that if you wish to name the point you follow Step 2 on Page 23. This does not ake sense when you read Step 2 on Page 23. Although there is advice with the decoder I have assumed that the red wire wire from point is +, green c, black - on the decoder. The track seems OK as I have trains running, but I cannoy manage the points with digital yet. I would appreciate advice please. Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crg Posted December 3, 2011 Author Share Posted December 3, 2011 Another apology - I meant to say that I programmed the decoder in accordance with the instructions in the leaflet enclosed with it and not in Page 39 etc. Sorry about the confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecamden Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 ChrisFollow the instruction on the paper that comes with the decoder. So you set the first four ports say 1,2,3,4. This is done on the programming track with the Elite connected to the programming track.Once you have done this, then wire the point motors into each port - do one at a time. Black is the common +/- in one of the other two connectors on each port. Make sure the decoder is not connected to the main track so that it gets its signal and power.Then just follow the instructions for making the point throw in the manual. Let us know how you get on.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecamden Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Sorry - I mean't to say, make sure the decoder is connected to the main track ( NOT THE Programming track) after you have programmed it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crg Posted December 3, 2011 Author Share Posted December 3, 2011 Steve - many thanks. I have set ports 1-4, but I need to name the actual points. The advice on the decoder leaflet tells me to follow the instructions on para 2 of page 23 of the Elite manual which deals with 'Changing Locomotive Direction Setting' and the instructions do not seem relevant. Also, am I correct to put the red point lead into + on the decoder, green into c (whatever that is) and black into -? Thanks for your patienceChrisFollow the instruction on the paper that comes with the decoder. So you set the first four ports say 1,2,3,4. This is done on the programming track with the Elite connected to the programming track.Once you have done this, then wire the point motors into each port - do one at a time. Black is the common +/- in one of the other two connectors on each port. Make sure the decoder is not connected to the main track so that it gets its signal and power.Then just follow the instructions for making the point throw in the manual. Let us know how you get on.Steve[/reply] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecamden Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Chris - you don't need to name the points - they gave a number which the Elite will recognise. I have never done this. Re the wiring - I assume you are using a Hornby motor in which case the black is common ( in the middle of the three on the decoder) It doesn't matter where the other two go unless you need to swap them over because it is not throwing the point the right way. Just try in the other way round if it doesn't work. And I would check the motor is switching before you attach everything, then at least you know that bit works.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crg Posted December 3, 2011 Author Share Posted December 3, 2011 stevecamden said:Chris - you don't need to name the points - they gave a number which the Elite will recognise. I have never done this. Re the wiring - I assume you are using a Hornby motor in which case the black is common ( in the middle of the three on the decoder) It doesn't matter where the other two go unless you need to swap them over because it is not throwing the point the right way. Just try in the other way round if it doesn't work. And I would check the motor is switching before you attach everything, then at least you know that bit works.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crg Posted December 3, 2011 Author Share Posted December 3, 2011 Hi Steve - I have made some progress this afternoon whilst listening to my team, Norwich, lose 5-1 to Man City. I am able to move the points in one direction, but not back, but I am slowly getting there. I find the Elite handbook very confusing. Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecamden Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Chris - I am a Man City supporter so you are not going to get a lot of sympathy there... Looks like you are making progress though - make sure the motor (if it is a surface mounted one) is not screwed down too tight.S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crg Posted December 4, 2011 Author Share Posted December 4, 2011 Hi Steve - I can operate the points in one direction, but they will not return. I have checked wiring and ensured the motors are not screwed down too hard. The points move freely when operated manually. Any ideas please? Incidenatlly, I am very grateful for your time in helping me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog RJ Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 crg said:Hi Steve - I can operate the points in one direction, but they will not return. I have checked wiring and ensured the motors are not screwed down too hard. The points move freely when operated manually. Any ideas please? Incidenatlly, I am very grateful for your time in helping me.Make sure the wiring is correct. Hornby point motors use black as the common wire, Peco surface mount motors use green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.