DTM30 Super Tower Master

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The DTM30 Super Tower Master is a 30 channel point, signal & sensor controller / display unit for automation of layout control panels. Many users want to be able to control and display their points and signals using pushbuttons and LEDs, not with a handheld throttle. This unit allows just that: this is achieved with just a LocoNet and a 9-12v AC or DC power connection, thereby eliminating individual wires to point motors, accessory decoders or detection circuits.

 

To LocoNet, the DTM30 appears as a throttle: it generates the same commands that a handheld throttle (e.g. DT300, DT400) would do. The user constructs a panel which shows a diagram of the layout, with a pushbutton to control each point and a pair of LEDs to display the state of each point. There can also be LEDs to display the states of of block sensors (e.g. BDL168 cells), signals (controlled by SE8c and SIGM10 products) and pushbuttons to initiate local routes. The DTM30 board is typically located within the panel, and all the wiring to LEDs and puchbuttons is inside the enclosure. The only connections out from the enclosure are a 9-12v power feed and a LocoNet cable. This greatly simplifies layout wiring!

Some other examples

Facilities

  • Control and display of points, sensors and signals which may be located anywhere on the railway. The DTM30 has 30 "cells" that can control up to 30 points, up to 30 signals, up to 60 sensors... or any mix from all three.

  • A cell can control and display of  one point on the track:

    • Two LEDs are driven from each cell. One is lit for "thrown"; one is lit for "closed". If the points state is not known - e.g. after power up - then neither LED is lit - to avoid misleading indication.

    • Each point cell may be programmed to monitor using the DCC accessory messages or LocoNet turnout feedback, if feedback switches are wired & connected.
    • Points are controlled by one or two push switches. A single pushbutton for each point toggles the state of the point each time it is pressed; alternatively a separate pushbutton for each of "closed" and "thrown" can be used.

  • A cell can display the state of two block occupancy sensors:

    • One LED is driven to display the state of each of two consecutive sensors.

    • The LED is lit if the sensor is occupied.
    • Optionally, a pushbutton can generate sensor messages. This can be useful for testing, or to signal to a PC software application.

  • A cell can display the satate of a signal, and can control the signal. This can be a signal driven by an automatic signal controller (SIGM10 or SIGM20) or a signal display only board (e.f. SE8c).

    • LEDs are driven to indicate the signal aspect. Optionally, LEDs from another cell can be used to provide up to 4 LEDs per signal.

    • A pushbutton can be used to control the signal aspect. for an SE8c this simply "steps" between the available aspects. For an automatically controlled signal, the pushbutton can force the signal to red.
    • A cell can also control the running direction for a SIGM10/SIGM20 reverse running zone. this allows manual control of the direction assigned for train movements on a single track line.

  • 24 Local Routes are available, to contol track routing:

    • Each route can set up routes through up to 12 points. These may bepoints controlled by the DTM30, or any other point on the layout.
    • Routes can cascade: that meansa a route can be set by anothe route. Routes can also be set by a DCC switch address - e.g. from another DTM30 or from a throttle.
    • Routes can be invoked by a single button press, or alternatively by two button presses. In the second case, the two buttons represent the "start" and "end" locations on the track plan for a train movement.
    • An "Initialisation" function allows the state of all controlled points to be set with a single button press.

There are a number of other functions available. The full manual for this for this board can be downloaded

 

Interlocking with Railroad & Co

A unique feature of the DTM30 is that it has been designed to interlock with PC software applications for train control, e.g. Railroad & Co. This allows the DTM30 to control points in loca areas such as stations, but to ensure that points can only be changed when it is safe to do so. So if the PC program is about to drive a train through a piece of track, the DTM30 won't allow manual control of the points on that track.

This is achieved by splitting the track into up to 4 zones per DTM30, and through an Interlock per zone. The Interlock asks the PC software it is safe for local point operation - and if it is, the PC software reserves track for manual control to prevent it automatically driving trains through. If not, the local pushbuttons for points don't work and "beep" instead - simple!

 

How it Works

The DTM30 operates as a loconet device in the same way a throttle does. Through LocoNet, the DTM30 is able to sense the states of points & sensors and can decode the DCC accessory commands that go to accessory decoders. By doing this, the DTM30 can sense the state of points even if they are operated by a different throttle. With any accessory decoder, operation of points by other throttles (e.g. DT300, DT400) will be detected & shown on the panel. This will also be true if a PC software program (e.g. Railroad&Co) operates the points, or if  a DCS100 route sets the points.

If the accessory decoder does support feedback (e.g. DAC10, DS54, DS64) then the correct point state can be detected even if a local pushbutton input to the accessory decoder is used to change its state.

Want to control your points with a throttle AND a DTM30? No problem - just do it; the DTM30 display will always be correct!

 

Programming

To make programming simple, a PC software program "LocoAnalyse" is available to configure the board. This is able to download the settings straight to the board if there is a LocoNet interface available (using an MS100 or LocoBuffer). If not, a list of "required" CV settings can be generated, and the board can be programmed manually using a programming track & throttle.

A PC is not needed for normal use after programming.

For those that want ot program by hand, there is a list of the Configuration Variables for the DTM30

 

What Do You Need To Use It?

The DTM30 works with any Digitrax controlled railway, that has its points controlled by accessory decoders. It plugs into LocoNet and behaves like a throttle. the points can then be controlled by the DTM30, by a throttle, by local inputs into the accessory decoder... or all three.

The accessory decoders do NOT need to have LocoNet reporting. Those that do (DS54/DS64/DAC10) will allow the DTM30 to "see" the point states after power is applied, so the display will be correct. However, for layouts with accessory decoders that don't report to LocoNet, there is an "initialise" facility built into the DTM30 that sets all point states to a known position from a single button press. This will leave the DTM30 with all its LEDs correctly lit, and is useful to get the track to a starting condition at the start of an operating session.

 

Prices

£60 assembled & tested board with ribbon cable and connectors.

switch, LED packs available if required.

Ordering Information

Order Online!

Support

In the event of difficulties, please consult the "Frequently Asked Questions" for this product in the first instance.

©CML Electronics Limited 2008
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