Accessories

[Casey jones1707821567]

I am new to Elink and I am looking to setting up a layout. Do I need an accessory decoder for every 4 sets of points?

[Chrissaf]

It depends upon the Accessory Decoder (AD) you choose and how many ports on it.

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The Hornby R8247 AD has four ports, but some other branded decoders have eight. In principle one would have one point per port. But where two points create a cross-over from one oval to another oval, then they always need to be thrown together. Thus in that scenario, you can connect TWO Solenoid point motors to a single AD port. Thus theoretically, you could have up to four pairs (eight) point motors operated from a single four port AD.

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Note: not all point motors (non Hornby brands) are based on Solenoid technology, some are based upon slow action motors or servos. In those scenarios, it is definitely one point motor per port as a guideline. However, also note that point motors NOT based upon Solenoid technology cannot use the Hornby R8247 decoder and will utilise a non Hornby decoder specific to those alternative types of motors.

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Non Hornby brand ADs are usually easier to set up and configure compared to the R8247 AD. The other brands typically use a 'self learning' mode of configuration, where you put the AD into learning mode usually via a switch or link on the AD. Then you go through the action of operating the point from within RailMaster (RM). The AD listens to the DCC packet being sent and configures itself to the DCC address it reads in the packet. The Hornby R8247 on the other hand, has to be disconnected from the track DCC connection and connected to the eLink programming output, then manually programmed from within the RM Accessory Decoder configuration screen. YOU DO NOT use this RM screen for non Hornby brand ADs.

[Fishmanoz]

The short answer - points cannot connect directly to your DCC controller, they must go via an accessory decoder designed for the type of point motor you have (usually solenoid or slow action).  The number of accessory decoders you need will depend the number of ports in them and your track design.