R8247 Accessory decoder problem

[Padders]

Hi

I have 8 Tawcrafts 4 port accessory decoders configured as R8247's driving peco point solenoids and have no issues. These decoders require 2 inputs, DCC and a seperate 18v supply.

Tawcraft cease manufacture in 2014 so I recently purchased an R8247 to upgrage my track.

 

I have a stabilised 15vdc  5A psu driving the DCC controller.

The issue I have is the R8247 output is not powerful enough to drive the Peco solenoids. I have read the guide and can find no reference to how I can add a seperate PSU feed to the decoder. There is mention in some threads of an "ESU" but not sure what or how this works.

 

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

Regards

Martin

 

[Rog RJ]

It is not possible to add an additional PSU the R8247 decoders.

 

You may need to realign your point motors very, very slightly to make them operate a little easier.

[Chrissaf]

The R8247s do not support any form of additional power supply input to boost the inherently weak outputs of them. I too use R8247s to operate PECO PL-10WE solenoid point motors. Like you, I found that the R8247s just did not have enough grunt for these particular point motors. My R8247s had been unused in boxes for months, so had passed their 'please may I have a refund' window of opportunity. My solution was to use the R8247 output to operate a relay and then use the relay contacts to operate the PL-10WE motors via a separate PSU and CDU.

.

There is an ESU branded Accessory Decoder that supports an external (aux) boost power supply. But these are not a Hornby brand. The exact model number of the ESU escapes me at present, but I believe one of my ComMod colleagues uses them with a 19 volt DC Laptop power supply. To the best of my recollection, these ESU branded units do not have CDUs built into them, nor any capability to connect one. Thus the separate power supply must be a high current output one with an equally high output voltage.

.

[96RAF]

R8247 has its own built in CDUs (capacitor discharge unit).

See here http://www.halton96th.org.uk/page16.html

 

ESU is a German manufacturer but they do not as far as I know market CDUs or points decoders, so that may be a red herring in this regard.

 

PSU is as you already know a power supply unit. ESU may be a typo for PSU - read again in context or quote the post for reference so we can.

 

You can by way of relays to isolate the DCC from the AC/DC side of things use a normal CDU fired by a points decoder. Essentially you have a manually switched solenoid points and CDU system but use the points decoder as your switch upon DCC command. Details of this arrangement have been covered on the forum several times. Or see here and scroll down http://www.halton96th.org.uk/page33.html

[Chrissaf]

The ESU Accessory Decoder model name has just popped back into my memory.

It is the ESU SwitchPilot....they also do a 'Servo Based' version.

.

What I also now recall from memory, is that the "ESU SwitchPilot" is gutless without the aux separate power supply input added to them. They are an old design and are not using current latest 'self learning' standards. They have to be manually programmed like the R8247 on a 'prog' track.

[Padders]

Thanks All for your feedback.

The good news is I just found a Tawcrafts decoder on Ebay for £29.99, so like Chrissaf I will be storing the R8247 until I can find a use for it or the next expansion.

 

Thanks

[RDS]

As Chris says, I use the ESU Switch Pilot Points Decoders on my layout. 

I have 5 of these Decoders, controlling a total of 32 sets of points.  They are a Bachmann item, part number 36-561.  Just put this part number into eBay.

I use mine with an external Power Supply Unit (PSU) from an old Laptop.  It provides 19 volt output at 3.3A.  I have not had any problems whatsoever, since I started to use this setup in conjunction with Hornby Solenoid Motors, Part Number R8014.

 

 

[Padders]

R8247 has its own built in CDUs (capacitor discharge unit).

See here http://www.halton96th.org.uk/page16.html

 

ESU is a German manufacturer but they do not as far as I know market CDUs or points decoders, so that may be a red herring in this regard.

 

PSU is as you already know a power supply unit. ESU may be a typo for PSU - read again in context or quote the post for reference so we can.

 

You can by way of relays to isolate the DCC from the AC/DC side of things use a normal CDU fired by a points decoder. Essentially you have a manually switched solenoid points and CDU system but use the points decoder as your switch upon DCC command. Details of this arrangement have been covered on the forum several times. Or see here and scroll down http://www.halton96th.org.uk/page33.html

The unit is known as an ESU switchpilot , forum thread was https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=15&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj-uru7tPnlAhVlu3EKHbN4AksQFjAOegQIAxAG&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hornby.com%2Fuk-en%2Fforum%2Fesu-switch-pilot-with-e-link---sorry-to-bring-this-up-%2F&usg=AOvVaw3PzTDDw9NKE2Lg6EUG5Bev

or https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/esu-switch-pilot-with-e-link---sorry-to-bring-this-up-/

[96RAF]

I stand corrected on the ESU Switchpilot, etc - thank you.

 

I learn something every day, unfortunately I also forget things as well.