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Digitrax

Detection & Signaling

BD4 Occupancy Detector for 4 detection sections for use with DS54 and SE8C stationary/signal decoders. Let’s you set up 4 detection sections. Replaces BD1 block detector.

BDL168 LocoNet Occupancy Detector for 16 detection sections cost effective occupancy detection for 16 detection sections. For use with one or two RX4 transponder detectors to set up 8 transponding zones and/or operations mode read back.

Replaces BDL162.

RD2 Remote Sensing Diodes for BDL16 series occupancy detectors


SE8C Plug 'N Play Signal Decoder (Can also be used as a stationary decoder)

Signal Mast Base Kit Includes 3 Signal Masts that can be used as Signal Mast Bases in any scale or can be painted and detailed and used as N-scale signal masts.

Signal Driver Cable Kit Materials for making 2 Signal Driver Cables for SE8C. Includes 30’of 10-wire Signal Driver ribbon cable & 8 10-Pin sockets.

Signal Mounting Hardware Kit Under layout mounting hardware for Signal Driver Cables and their sockets. 6 metal signal straps and 6 signal spacers. These handy bits of hardware hold your signal plugs at just the right distance from the layout to make it easy to plug in your signals.

Terminal Strip Mounting Kit Includes 2 terminal strip boards with resistors for easy installation. Each terminal strip board can handle from 1 to 4 signal heads. Use this interface instead of Signal Mast Bases when you already have signals installed on your layout. Simply run the wires from your existing signals to the terminals on the TSMK and plug your Signal Driver Cable in on the plug provided.

 
BD4 Quad Occupancy Detector  Return To Top


     
 

 

  • Cost Effective occupancy detection for 4 detection sections

  • Outputs for panel mounted LEDs to display occupancy

  • Detects any powered locomotive

  • Detects un-powered rolling stock equipped with resistor wheel sets

  • Transmits occupancy information to your LocoNet System using DS54 or SE8C (sold separately).
 
 
$29.95 msrp



Click here to view BD4 Instructions

Click here to view DS54 Instructions

Click here for SE8C Manual basics of how to use your SE8C.

Signaling Glossary A collection of signaling terminology.
BDL168 LocoNet Occupancy Detector

                                                                                             Return To Top


 

BDL168 LocoNet Occupancy Detector for 16 detection sections

The BDL168 provides cost effective occupancy detection for 16 detection sections. For use with one or two RX4 transponder detectors to set up 8 transponding zones and/or operations mode read back. Replaces BDL162.

  • Cost effective occupancy detection for 16 detection sections

  • Outputs for panel mounted LEDs to display local occupancy & power zone status

  • Connect to LocoNet to transmit occupancy information to your LocoNet System

  • Detects any powered locomotive

  • Detects un-powered rolling stock equipped with resistor wheel sets

  • Add one or two RX4 Transponder Receivers (sold separately) and you can have Transponding in 8 zones. This means that you’ll know when a detection section is occupied and the unique id of all transponders in that section.

  • Ops Mode Read Back lets you read back CV Values on any section of track that is set up for transponding with BDL168 and one or more RX4s.
 
$149.99 msrp


Click here to view BDL168 Instructions

Click here to learn how to use two RX4s with your BDL168


Click here to view the BDL16* series Planning Worksheet

Click here to see various BDL168 articles in the Tech Support Depot.
RD2 Remote Sensing Diodes  Return To Top


     
 

RD2 Remote Sensing Diodes for BDL16 & BDL162

Remote sensing of 2 detection sections. Eliminates the need for long runs of heavy gauge wire between the BDL16 & remotely located track sections.
 
 
$9.99 msrp


Click here to view RD2 Instructions
SE8C Signal Decoder  Return To Top


    


Digitrax Plug-n-play Signaling technology was awarded Model Railroader's 2003 Reader's Choice Award.
Introduction to the Digitrax SE8C

The Digitrax Signaling System is organized around the concept of “security elements” which are similar to what U.S. prototype railroads call “plants.” The Digitrax SE8C signal decoder displays aspects for up to 32 heads for 8 individual security elements (plants) using either a LocoNet Throttle or a computer with compatible software. When used with associated occupancy detectors and compatible software, the SE8C can be set up to protect the turnout as shown by the example below. The SE8C decodes switch commands from a throttle or associated software so that the appropriate aspects are displayed on the signal heads.

Each security element is made up of three legs designated A, B, & C. Every piece of track on your layout can be broken down into security elements to describe how each detection section connects to the other sections on your layout.

A to B, A to C, B to A & C to A are the only possible connections, based on turnout position. B to C is not possible.

Occupancy detection is required for any signaling system to function. Occupancy detection inputs can be handled by any LocoNet compatible occupancy detector (Any BDL16 Series Occupancy Detectors or BD1 Occupancy Detectors used with DS54s will work).

Transponding is not needed for the Digitrax Signaling System.

The SE8C sends its output to the signal driver to drive the signal heads. Each SE8C has 8 sets of signal drivers, each capable of driving a set of signal masts. Each set of masts can have up to four heads and each head can have up to four different lamps or a multi-color searchlight. The heads may be on separate single masts, dual masts, or gantries. Each mast has its own signal driver. In practice, each set of signal masts usually corresponds to the track controlled by a single security element.

The SE8C signal decoder and occupancy detector are connected to LocoNet so that all security elements on the layout can communicate with each other as the occupancy of each detection section of track changes. Since the Digitrax Signal System communicates through LocoNet, it does not need DCC to work. The SE8C signal decoders and BDL16 Series occupancy detectors can communicate directly with other LocoNet devices on the layout, they do not need a command station for this communication. This means that they can be used on non LocoNet DCC systems and DC systems where LocoNet is added to support signaling.

The SE8C lets you control signals manually from your Digitrax throttles or automatically through LocoNet compatible computer software such as Railroad & Company, WinLok and others.
 
 
$125.00 msrp

SE8C Related Accessories

SMBK Signal Mast Base Kit

SDCK Signal Driver Cable Kit

SMHK Signal Mounting Hardware Kit

TSMK Terminal Strip Mounting Kit


To implement signaling, you’ll need to know how the SE8C works.

Click here for SE8C Manual The basics of how to use your SE8C.

Signaling Glossary A collection of signaling terminology.

SE8C Address Ranges for Signals and Other LocoNet Device.
Includes links to Default Addresses for Board Ids 01-12

SE8C Default Switch Address Range Usage For Board IDs 01-36

SE8C Board ID Default Settings

Click here for SE8C 44-Pin Edge Connector Pin Out

To realize the full feature potential of the SE8C you will need a computer and compatible software.

Links to Software For Controlling Signals:

NOTE: The following are two examples of how to set up signaling using Railroad & Company Version 4.7.

You must have RR & Co. Software installed on your system to run these files.

ABS Example Files for Railroad & Company

CTC Example files for Railroad & Company

To set up prototypical signaling, you’ll need to do some research.

Recommended Reading:

Railroad Signaling by Brian Solomon $34.95 MSRP ISBN 0-7603-1360-1 Available from your favorite hobby shop or from www.motorbooks.com (1-800-826-6600) or www.amazon.com.

All About Signals by John Armstrong. Out of print but if you can get your hands on this, it’s a great reference.

Links to Signaling Web Sites:

These sites are very useful for researching prototype signaling practices. These sites are owned and maintained by third parties. Digitrax, Inc. is not responsible for any content contained in these websites.

railroadsignals.net
Railway Signalling and Operations FAQ by Mark D. Bej
North American Signaling by Carsten S. Lundsten
Austro-Swiss Signaling
European Signaling by Country (In German, some pages available in English)

Unless you are building your own signals, you’ll need to find a supplier.

Links to Sources of Model Signals:

These sites are suppliers of scale model signal hardware. These sites are owned and maintained by third parties. Digitrax, Inc. is not responsible for any content contained in these websites.

  • Brawa Signaling Products-European Prototype Signals

  • Busch Signaling Products-European Prototype Signals

  • Circuitron Slow Motion Turnout Machines and More! Sold in most hobby stores.

  • Details West Detail Parts for Signals

  • NJ International All brass construction, painted and lighted.

  • Oregon Rail Supply Flexible system of signal heads, LEDs, etc. Parts molded in black styrene.

  • Sunrise Enterprises Assembled cast metal signals.

  • Tomar Industries Beautiful prototypical signals individually assembled and painted, lost wax brass castings

  • Walthers Catalog Offers Signaling Products by many different manufacturers all in one place.

  • Viessmann European Prototype Signals.

 

Advanced SE8C Topics Not Included in the SE8C Manual

Please read and understand the SE8C Manual before attempting these topics.

Position Light Signals:

Pennsylvania RR Permissive Position Signals,

Pennsylvania RR Absolute Position signals,

B & O and N&W RR Color Position Signals.

Semaphore Signals using slow motion turnout machines.

Using 2 Aspect Mode.

Broadcast Address Control Range.

Using SE8C on non-LocoNet DCC layouts.

Using SE8C on non-DCC layouts.

SE8C Semaphore and Broadcast Control Switch Address Ranges
SMBK Signal Mast Base Kit  Return To Top

     
     

Includes 3 Signal Masts that can be used as Signal Mast Bases in any scale or can be painted and detailed and used as N-scale signal masts.

Making these circuit boards look like signals is easy, just paint the mast silver and the heads black (be sure not to cover the LED with paint), then add targets and hoods for a reasonable facsimile of a signal. Another option is to cut off the circuit board mast from the base and attach a signal from another manufacturer.
 
$14.99 msrp


Click here to view Signal Mast Base Kit
Signal Driver Cable Kit  Return To Top


     
 

Materials for making 2 Signal Driver Cables for SE8C. Includes 30’of 10-wire Signal Driver ribbon cable & 8 10-Pin sockets.

Use this kit to make signal driver cables to connect your SE8c to the signals on the railroad. Make the cables any length that you desire and place the signal connectors at the locations where you will install signals. All the signals are carried neatly in the ribbon cable so you can avoid a “bird’s nest” under your layout.
 
$19.99 msrp


Click here to view Signal Driver Cable Kit
Signal Mounting Hardware Kit  Return To Top

 
     
 

Under layout mounting hardware for Signal Driver Cables and their sockets. 6 metal signal straps and 6 signal spacers. These handy bits of hardware hold your signal plugs at just the right distance from the layout to make it easy to plug in your signals.




 
$9.99 msrp


Click here to view Signal Mounting Hardware Kit
Terminal Strip Mounting Kit  Return To Top

 
     
 

Includes 2 terminal strip boards with resistors for easy installation. Each terminal strip board can handle from 1 to 4 signal heads. Use this interface instead of Signal Mast Bases when you already have signals installed on your layout. Simply run the wires from your existing signals to the terminals on the TSMK and plug your Signal Driver Cable in on the plug provided.
 
$14.95 msrp
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