RR-CirKits TC Mark II Tower Controller Mark II

RR-CirKits TC Mark II Tower Controller Mark II

The TC-64 Tower Controller 64 line LocoNet® interface provides a simple and easy way to connect between the Digitrax LocoNet® bus and the layout. It may be connected at any convenient point on the LocoNet®.

The Tower COntroller is a 64 line I/O controller, configured as 64 I/O lines. Each line may drive up to 15ma. at 4.5V when configured as an output and is equipped with 4.7K pull up resistors to allow use with contacts, open collector, or logic level circuits when configured as an input. Includes connectors and LocoNet® cable.

Features:

• 64 lines of Input/Output arranged in 8 groups of 8 lines each.
• Each group may be configured as an input or output.
• LocoNet® certified (certification applied for)
• CV controlled programming via Software. (e.g. JMRI DecoderPro 2.0 or later.)
• Both read and write of CV values is supported in OPs mode.
• Each port can be individually addressed, or as part of a group.
• Full optical isolation between LocoNet® and TC-64.
• Automatically saves status during power down. (optionally)
• Boot Loader allows firmware upgrades over LocoNet® connection
• External power input accepts 9V-20V wide range without overheating. Internal switching regulator provides up to 1 amp at 5VDC total power to ports for I/O modules.

5.0 Tower Controller Mark II compatible Input/Output Cards

The RR-CirKits Tower Controller Mark II and its compatible I/O modules are designed to be clipped into Tyco 3-1/4" Snap-Track® mounted to the bench work. (Snap-Track® is a plastic channel designed to mount PC cards to a chassis, not something to run trains on.) Each I/O module is equipped with two connectors to facilitate these connections. A single Tower Controller Mark II or compatible I/O module fits into the 3TK2-1 (single) mounting track. Other widths are available for compact installations using multiple boards.

5.1 BOD-8 (DCC Block Occupancy Detector - 8 block)

The BOD-8 does not expect you to re-wire your layout to bring track feeders to the detector cards. The small CT (Current Transformer) detection coils are placed directly on the track feeders where they belong. Simple lengths of Cat-5 cable are the usual way to run the signals back to the detector boards. Use of CT coils means that there are no track voltage losses associated with the detectors. Normal detection levels are 1ma. but may be adjusted to higher levels with on board pots.

During a DCC bus power failure the Power-Lok input on the BOD-8 instantly locks the current state of each block detector. I.e. the state of the layout does NOT change during a DCC power outage, neither to all occupied, nor to all vacant. It just suspends sending any occupancy changes until after power is restored and things have stabilized again. If you do not want the feature there is a jumper to disable it.

The BOD-8 outputs are low during detection so the Tower Controller Mark II should be configured as "Block Detector" for each line of a port that is connected to a BOD-8. This inverts the input lines to match the BOD-8 and most types of detector outputs.

5.2 OIB-8 (Opto Isolator Board - 8 input)

This 8 input board is used when a non-isolated source of voltage needs to be monitored and input to the Tower Controller Mark II. One example would be to monitor the DCC voltage on a set of points to determine the position of a turnout without using auxiliary contacts.

This board may be configured to monitor the absence or presence of an AC or DC signal. It may also be configured to monitor the polarity of a DC signal. This board requires 10ma. for reliable operation and includes pads for the customer supplied dropping resistors.

The line 'Type' should be set to 'SPST On-Off Sensor' and may be either polarity.

5.3 SCSD-8 (Single Coil Solenoid Driver)

The SCSD-8 Output Module is designed to drive individual solenoid coils or other high voltage high power devices. Normally the input voltage should not exceed 35VDC. The SCSD-8 board is optically isolated from the driving circuitry to protect the Tower Controller Mark II or other control device from the high power outputs. When driving single coils or high power loads configure the 'Type' as 'Driver'.

By using the proper options on the Tower Controller Mark II the SCSD-8 may also be used to control dual coil momentary switch machines. In 'Dual Coil' mode the output lines are paired such that the lines requires just single addresses. Setting the Port 'Direction' to 'Output' and the Port 'Toggle' bit to 'Paired' places the port into paired mode. Each line of a pair normally responds to either 'Closed' or 'Thrown' with the output action selected for each line. This action will normally be a 0.1 second pulse when driving solenoids.

The lines are paired and only the primary event of the first line of each pair will be used. In this example 'LT9 closed' and 'LT9 Thrown' will be used. LT10 is ignored. Dual coil operation should not be attempted if the switch machine power supply is not of the capacitive discharge type that will limit the long term current to a low value in case of hardware or configuration errors.

Failure to observe this precaution may result in destruction of equipment and be a fire hazard!

5.4 4ASD-4 (4 Aspect Signal Driver - 4 head)

This output board drives up to 4 four aspect signal heads with 9VDC. The outputs are multiplexed to allow 4 heads on a single 10 wire flat ribbon cable. LED current dropping resistors are included on the board allowing the signals to be directly attached to the cables without purchasing any extra hardware for each signal. To control the fourth aspect two CV's are required and "signal" mode must be enabled:

1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th lines: this 'Timing' byte controls the timing of the flashing aspect;

2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th lines: this 'Timing' byte selects the two alternating aspect colors.

Normally the 4th aspect will be set to 'dark' and the JMRI software will blink the signal if a flashing mode is required by sending alternate 'dark' and 'color' commands. Select 'SE8c 4 Aspect' as the JMRI signal type for this application. It is also possible to allow the Tower Controller Mark II to directly flash the signals in the 4th aspect selection. The selection of 'LDT LS-DEC' as the signal type will make this easier to configure.

The user should consider the use of the newer SignalMan instead of the 4ASD-4 because it includes superior options at a similar per head cost.

5.5 SDB-4 (4 Aspect Searchlight Signal Driver - 4 head)

The user should consider the use of the newer SignalMan instead of the SDB-4 because it has improved options and a better per head cost.

5.6 SMD-8 (Stall Motor Driver – 8 line)

The SMD-8 board contains 8 individual, optically isolated, HBridge drivers. This allows the board to be powered from any supply between 9 Volts and 18 Volts. It is primarily designed to drive stall motor turnout machines such as those found in Tortoise® and Switchcraft® machines . Do not exceed 15VAC or 24VDC at the power input.

This board includes an adjustable regulator to allow you to control the speed of your switch machine motors. This regulator will draw 100ma. plus your load current, and the board normally runs warm even with no load.

'Driver' is the proper option for this board. It may be set to 'respond normal' or 'respond inverted' to control the direction of the turnout in relation to 'closed' and 'thrown'.

5.7 DCDB-8 (Direct Current Driver Board - 8 line)

The DCDB-8 driver board contains 8 individual, optically isolated, H-Bridge drivers. This allows the board outputs to be powered from any supply between 8 Volts and 28Volts. It is primarily designed to drive small DC motors. Do not exceed 24VAC or 36VDC at the power input. This board includes an on-board 5V switching regulator to allow safe operation at high voltages. The regulator will draw 50-100ma. plus your load current, and normally runs warm even with no load.

The DCDB-8 drivers include clamp diodes and may be used to directly drive inductive loads such as relay or solenoid coils if desired. The outputs are wired in an "H" bridge configuration but may be used single ended. Both positive and negative common return points are provided for single ended operation. The DCDB-8 outputs are rated at 600ma. per line, not to exceed 1.2A peak for 100μs non repetitive. The board includes an auto reset fuse that will prevent extended operation in excess of 1A total continuous output current per board, but it will NOT protect it from from direct short circuit currents. Short circuits on any output line may destroy the board, so be careful with your wiring.

The DCDB-8 input lines are active low so all lines on this Tower Controller Mark II port should be configured as "Driver". This inverted input mode matches most types of driver outputs, and the drive polarity may be easily switched either in the Tower Controller Mark II setup or by reversing the DCDB-8 output lines.

5.8 RB-4 (Relay Board - 4 x SPDT)

Relay Board - 4 is a Quad 10A SPDT relay board with logic level drivers. It is suitable for use with Tower Controller Mark II, TC-64, LNCP, or other logic output devices. It requires 12V auxiliary power to drive the relay coils. Auxiliary power is optically isolated from the logic inputs for double isolation. LED indicators for each relay make it easy to monitor activity.

In some cases it may be suitable to use the 12V SSB power to supply the RB-2 relays, but be sure that you do not exceed the available current on the SSB line. Each RB-4 may draw up to 150ma. at 12VDC.

Includes dual ribbon connectors with offset lines to allow easy connection as output 1-4, or output 5-8, of the Tower Controller Mark II, or other driver.

The RB-4 input lines are active low so all lines on this Tower Controller Mark II port should be configured as "Driver". This inverted input mode matches most types of driver outputs, and the drive polarity may be easily switched either in the Tower Controller Mark II setup or by reversing the RB-4 output contacts.

5.9 FOB-A (Fan Out Board)

This board is a convenient way to convert from 10 pin ribbon cable to compression terminals. It may be used for inputs or outputs, and includes pads for mounting resistors such as required for connecting LEDs used for direct drive signals or panels.

'SPST On-Off Sensor' is the usual setting for the FOB-A used for input lines. For input lines jumper wires will need to be installed for each line. Do not exceed 5V on any input or the Tower Controller Mark II will be damaged.

'Driver' is the proper output option for this board. It may be set to 'respond normal' or 'respond inverted' to control the polarity of the output in relation to 'closed' and 'thrown'.

5.10 I/O Test (Input Output Test Board)

This board is a convenient way to test a port. It may be used for testing inputs or outputs, and includes 8 LEDs and 8 push buttons. The LEDs light when each output is low. The push buttons pull the inputs low. Both male and female I/O connectors make it easy to add in series with another cable.