Inc LocoNet Cable Maker Kit - Manual

LocoNet Jacks and Throttle Jacks: All Jacks are NOT

created equal:

1. LocoNet Jacks, like the ones on the back of all UP5s, are used for

hooking up the LocoNet backbone. Additional LocoNet devices can

be daisy chained from LocoNet jacks.

2. LocoNet Throttle Jacks, like the ones on the front and sides of all

UP5s, for hooking up additional throttles or LocoNet devices that

won’t be daisy chained to other devices. Additional LocoNet devices

should NOT be daisy chained from Throttle Jacks.

Boosters and Command Stations

Multiple command stations on the layout will cause control confusion

and loss of reliable layout control. Basically, if things just are not operat-

ing correctly, trains don’t want to run, track power is questionable then

check to make sure that a Command Station capable device, such as a

DCSxxx, that has been set up to run as a booster using Option Switches

hasn’t been switched back to being a command station at power up.

1. A layout should have only ONE command station.

2. Power each Command Station and Booster with its own power

supply that is properly rated for the device being powered. Note the

PS2012 can be split to power multiple boosters.

3. Command stations that are powered up and then added to an exist-

ing powered layout may cause problems because they will not be able

to detect an existing competing command station already present on

the layout.

4. If using a Command Station as a Booster by setting Option Switches,

be certain it is operating as booster by setting the OpSw after power-

ing up the unit to avoid layout control problems.

5. Track must be double gapped between booster districts.

LocoNet & RailSync Voltages

If either LocoNet or RailSync voltage is too low, the layout may expe-

rience several dierent symptoms. It may have diculty in turning on

track power to additional Boosters. Throttles may not operate correctly

or may have no display at all if they do not have a battery installed. De-

tection and/or Transponding may not operate correctly.

Use a good quality Digital Voltmeter (DVM) to help diagnose:

1. If the 2 LocoNet data lines (pins 3 & 4, green/red) have voltage

between 8V and 14V with no message trac present. This conrms

that the booster is outputting enough voltage.