| Installing the PTB-100 programing track booster |
The decoder technology is moving forward by leaps and bounds, unfortunately most of the DCC command
stations were developed for the older loco control only but with the advance of decoders with sound the
programming track just doesn't have the power to talk with all decoders ( Tsunami for instance ).The
Sountraxx PTB-100 will make programing on the programming track a snap.
stations were developed for the older loco control only but with the advance of decoders with sound the
programming track just doesn't have the power to talk with all decoders ( Tsunami for instance ).The
Sountraxx PTB-100 will make programing on the programming track a snap.
Front of PTB-100 card
Back of PTB-100 card
Installing the programmer is a piece of cake. Decide where you want the programmer located, it should
be close to where you will be doing your programming because you need to see the LED's during the
programing process.
be close to where you will be doing your programming because you need to see the LED's during the
programing process.
Make your connections there are 2 black wires that go to your power source.You can use
input power from your command station or a separate power source. I used a power
transformer from an old cable modem rated at 16 volts. I don't like to rob power from
command station.
input power from your command station or a separate power source. I used a power
transformer from an old cable modem rated at 16 volts. I don't like to rob power from
command station.
The 2 orange wires go to your programming track.
The 2 yellow wires go to the command station programming outputs.
I used a terminal block to help in trouble shooting. Terminal block will be put under the bench work.
I am building a tool shed to hide PTB-100 when not in use.
The 2 yellow wires go to the command station programming outputs.
I used a terminal block to help in trouble shooting. Terminal block will be put under the bench work.
I am building a tool shed to hide PTB-100 when not in use.
Once your PTB-100 is installed, you can begin to program your decoder just as you normally would.
The PTB-100 automatically connects power to the program track whenever a programming operation
is started. The GREEN LED indicates the status of the programming track. A slow flash rate indicates
that there is no power on the program track and loco may be safely placed on or removed from the
programming track.
Once you initiate a programming cycle via the command station, the GREEN LED will change to a
steady ON state, indicating that the program tack is powered up and a programming operation is in
progress. Depending on the make of your command station, the GREEN LED may remain on while
your command station is in programming mode, or in other cases, stay on for only a few seconds and
then revert to a flashing state after each individual programming command is completed. In either
case, loco should ONLY BE PLACED OR REMOVED FROM PROGRAM TRACK WHEN IT IS
POWERED DOWN AS INDICATED BY A FLASHING GREEN LED.
The YELLOW LED will flash briefly when an acknowledgment is received from the decoder and simply
means that the decoder has programmed properly. If the YELLOW LED does not blink, re-check your
decoder wiring. Note; a motor or similar load must be connected to the decoder in order for the
acknowledgement to be detected by the PTB-100.
The RED LED indicates a fault condition. A slow blink indicates the PTB-100 has detected a short
circuit across the programming track, most likely due to faulty decoder wiring in the loco. When this
occurs,remove the loco and wait approximately 20 seconds for the PTB-100 to reset itself. A rapidly
blinking RED LED indicates the power supply voltage is too low. Check that the power supply output
voltage is at least 14VDC or 12VAC and replace or adjust as necessary.
The PTB-100 automatically connects power to the program track whenever a programming operation
is started. The GREEN LED indicates the status of the programming track. A slow flash rate indicates
that there is no power on the program track and loco may be safely placed on or removed from the
programming track.
Once you initiate a programming cycle via the command station, the GREEN LED will change to a
steady ON state, indicating that the program tack is powered up and a programming operation is in
progress. Depending on the make of your command station, the GREEN LED may remain on while
your command station is in programming mode, or in other cases, stay on for only a few seconds and
then revert to a flashing state after each individual programming command is completed. In either
case, loco should ONLY BE PLACED OR REMOVED FROM PROGRAM TRACK WHEN IT IS
POWERED DOWN AS INDICATED BY A FLASHING GREEN LED.
The YELLOW LED will flash briefly when an acknowledgment is received from the decoder and simply
means that the decoder has programmed properly. If the YELLOW LED does not blink, re-check your
decoder wiring. Note; a motor or similar load must be connected to the decoder in order for the
acknowledgement to be detected by the PTB-100.
The RED LED indicates a fault condition. A slow blink indicates the PTB-100 has detected a short
circuit across the programming track, most likely due to faulty decoder wiring in the loco. When this
occurs,remove the loco and wait approximately 20 seconds for the PTB-100 to reset itself. A rapidly
blinking RED LED indicates the power supply voltage is too low. Check that the power supply output
voltage is at least 14VDC or 12VAC and replace or adjust as necessary.
In addition to the PTB-100 I highly recommend download and using JMRI ( Java Model Railroad
Interface ), this is free software developed by computer geeks and model train nuts. It is easy to use
and makes programming decoder cv's a snap. You can see those nasty little cvs and bend them to
your will. Once you get decoder set the way you want just save the setup then if your decoder goes
berserk just write your saved decoder file back to decoder and everything is back the way you had it.
Below are some sample screen shots:
Interface ), this is free software developed by computer geeks and model train nuts. It is easy to use
and makes programming decoder cv's a snap. You can see those nasty little cvs and bend them to
your will. Once you get decoder set the way you want just save the setup then if your decoder goes
berserk just write your saved decoder file back to decoder and everything is back the way you had it.
Below are some sample screen shots:
Click on picture for larger
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