Controller A and Controller B in Settings

[Hightech Trains]

Good Morning All   I have an E-Link and all is running well with the Pro upgrade.

My question is relating to using 2 E-Link modules and using one for train control and one for points/accessories.

I cannot find any reference to this in the manual.

Is this possible, if not, why is there a provision for two systems (A and B) ?

Many thanks (in anticipation) and for help already gathered from this forum

 

[Chrissaf]

Hello Hightech,

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Is this possible?

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Yes it is, but just because something is possible, it doesn’t mean that you have to do it.

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Some things to consider first before delving deeper into a reply.

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It would be very unusual to use two e-link controllers as you have suggested as controller A and controller B. Firstly, you cannot buy just the e-link controller hardware on its own. It is bundled with RailMaster so you are paying for another RM license unnecessarily.

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You cannot use a Hornby ‘Select’ controller as a controller B, as the ‘Select’ does not have a USB port on it and is not compatible with RM.

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The majority of people here who deploy two controllers use e-link as controller B to control just accessories such as points and signals etc. And use an Elite as controller A to control JUST locos.

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These people like you usually tipped their toe in the water with the cheaper RM / e-link combination, then added an Elite to the mix at a later date, and not wanting to waste previous investment delegated the existing e-link to the accessory controller role.

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What does an Elite do that e-link doesn’t?

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Well firstly, the Elite controller can control your layout completely independently of RM, useful if you have a PC / RM fault  or just want a quick play without firing up the whole system. The Elite has two physical knobs, so that you can control locos with these AND/OR from RM screen. The movement on the physical knobs is fed back and displayed on the RM screen throttles.

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The Elite comes as standard with the higher power 4 amp power supply.

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Whether or not you use both controller A and controller B is somewhat a personal choice. On a small layout there is very little advantage. The current demands on the e-link 1 amp power supply will cater for a typical small layout of a few locos and a few points wired via an Accessory Decoder.

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A significantly larger layout may grow to the point where the higher current 4 amp power supply is beneficial. You can of course buy the 4 amp supply on its own and replace your e-link 1 amp supply with it, you don’t have to buy an Elite just to get the 4 amp power increase.

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On a larger layout, there can be some benefit from separating the accessory functions from locos and dedicating controller B (e-link) to that function.

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It should be noted that if you do deploy two controllers, their outputs MUST never be allowed to come into electrical contact with each other. They must remain completely physically separate. This means that you cannot use both controllers to feed tracks, even if the tracks are joined by insulated rail joiners

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My advice would be to wire your Accessory Decoders in such a way as that you could separate them easily from the main layout at a later date if you want. Run your layout initially on the supplied e-link. And if in the future you grow the layout or decide you want additional physical control, invest in an Elite at that time.