Digitrax DS52

Digitrax DS52 (buy)
Tested 12-14-2003

General

The Digitrax DS52 is a stationary decoder designed to operate two slow motion turnout machines (e.g. Tortoise™ or Switchmaster), two three-wire solenoid machines (e.g. NJI, Atlas, or Peco), or two two-wire machines (e.g. Kato Unitrack, Aristocraft, or LGB). The two-wire and three-wire solenoid operated machines can be mixed on a single DS52, but slow motion machines and solenoid-operated machines cannot be operated by the same DS52. A jumper on the printed wiring board is used to select either slow motion or solenoid operation. A second jumper is used to select address programming mode or normal operation mode. In the solenoid operating mode, the unit uses a capacitor discharge circuit to ensure crisp solenoid operation. The DS52 measures 1.75” by 2.00” and has a hole drilled in each corner of the printed wiring board. These holes can be used for mounting. The DS52 is rated to a maximum track voltage of 22 volts, making it suitable for use on large scale layouts.

Connections

Wiring to the DS52 is easy, in part due to the use of a screw style terminal strip. The track is wired to the two middle terminals, while the remaining two groups of three terminals are used to connect to the switch machine. The manual clearly shows the appropriate connections for each style of switch machine. Wiring is completed by setting the Configuration Jumper open for solenoids or closed for slow motion style machines.

Feedback

The DS52 has no provisions for feedback to the command station.

Programming

Programming the DS52 is very easy. With the unit turned off, the programming jumper is connected across the two programming pins. Power is then turned on. From power on, you have 16 seconds to issue an accessory command to the address that you want the DS52 to use for output A. If no further commands are issued, the DS52 will set the address of the A output to the address that you issued, and the address of the B output will be the next sequential address. Once the first address is issued, you have another 16 seconds to issue a second command to the second address that you want the DS52 to use assuming that you do not want the addresses to be sequential. As noted below, I was unable to get this mode to operate. Once the unit is programmed, the programming jumper is removed and stowed on one of the programming pins.

Manual

The manual that comes with the DS52 contains 5 pages and provides all the information need to operate the DS52. I found the directions clear and comprehensive. A minor point to clarify is the instruction to “…operate…” a switch address. This means that you must select an accessory address (the one you want the DS52 to use) and issue a close or open command.

Performance

I tested the DS52 with the Tortoise™ Slow Motion Switch Machine, the Nick & Jack International Switch Machine, and the Peco Switch Machine. I did not test it with either the grain-of-wheat light bulb or the accessory motor because the DS52 is specifically designed for switch machine operation. In the slow motion machine mode, the output is always on, thus making it useless to operate lights or accessory motors. In the solenoid mode, the output is a single capacitive discharge pulse that again does not prove very useful for light or accessory motor operation. Having said that, the DS52 performs very well at its intended tasks.

In the slow motion mode, I measured 12.84 volts with the Tortoise™ stalled and 13.35 volts with the Tortoise™ running. This translated to approximately 18.8 mA of stall current. This is close to ideal since it is less than the maximum Tortoise™ rating of 25 mA, but sufficient to ensure a solid hold of the switch points. Tortoise™ operation was smooth and solid with excellent torque.

In the solenoid mode, the DS52 uses a capacitive discharge circuit. This circuit charges a 2200 uF capacitor to approximately 22.7 volts. The stored energy is more than sufficient to operate solenoid machines. The NJI switch machine (a relatively tough load to operate, as seen in previous reviews) operated smartly with no hesitation. The DS52 is more than sufficient for this device. The Peco double-coil unit also operated quite well. I was surprised at the amount of force the Peco unit provided when used with the DS52. Again, the DS52 should have no problem operating Peco style dual-coil units.

Recommendations

The DS52 is a GOOD CHOICE for slow motion switch machines and solenoid operated switch machines. With the exception of the programming anomaly, it works very well. Not being able to program non-sequential addresses is probably minor inconvenience at most, and should not inhibit the use of this fine addition to stationary decoding.