Installation Manual
Contents
1. DCC Uncoupler Conversion Kit HO scale Installation Manual en User s Manual Table of Contents bKEGONTENTS cca 2 ZINEROBVUETION archi 2 SMECHANICALINSTALEATION ra E A E E T 3 Sa FING therightmount ng DOSIL OM cirian E E EDN a SE bakes aA EENE EEA a 3 32 AtacmIihe actual O nea a a a aa a a 3 SSAI EI INGA sites a E A a A eanbanaiatunaaiondaes 4 A ELECIRICAEINSTALLATION cornine a a a 4 4L DEC Decoder Reguirementspa cia aa 4 LZ liana anna 4 4 3 Both couplers on one function output Option 1 i 5 4 4 Two independent operated couplers Option 2 ei 5 4 5 Using a standard low power function OUtput iii 6 AO USME SETE TUNCHONOMOU oee a tie idonei ela lines troni 6 PROGRANMINE THE DECODER aaa 8 bi Generalconsideralio isla 8 5 2 Operation with ZIMO Decoders MX634 and similar 8 b 9 OperationwithESU bokpilot40Ogea aiar nia 9 6 SPEGIFICANONS falce 10 ZROUBEESRHOOTINGiaie aaa 10 ret a ed ca oct h ere er ncn ce rere re nna ore T nr meer ete rrr tna ern ee er a Peer ne etre ery cre eee te 10 Meral LY ese neces exc atch cet natn aR acre acai a ate AR 10 o Co0nld6la cia 10 S SADOU ME docume Maaa a a a 11 1 KIT CONTENTS 2 micro actuators 1 8 x 1 2 4 x 12mm with reel head 2 series resistors 3 ft 1m of special strong and thin black thread 3 ft 1m of flexible thin wire 1 pc of shrink hose Comprehensive installation instructions2. 2 INTRODUCTION The DCC Uncoupler Conversion Kit has been designed to add remote uncoupling via DCC control to your rolling stock It gives you the freedom to uncouple wherever you with to at any location on your layout The kit is meant to be used with your existing couplers It s a simple addition and requires very few modifications on your rolling stock most of them can be even be undone without leaving any traces Uncoupling works by pulling the knuckle of the coupler via a thin thread powered by a tiny actuator motor rolling up the thread The thread is simply looped around the knuckle while the actuator is positioned e g behind the coupler box Most DCC decoders can be used to drive the actuators it requires only one function output for both couplers DCC Uncoupler Conversion Kit 3 MECHANICAL INSTALLATION Thanks to their size the actuators can be installed in a variety of places under or in your loco This chapter helps you to find the optimal place for the actuators 3 1 Find the right mounting position Make sure the thread path from knuckle towards the actuator runs parallel with the shank of the coupler This ensures that the coupler stays centered while the knuckle is opened You can also run the thread at the side of the coupler box Maintain thread and shank parallel For European models with NEM pockets Kadee 17 18 19 or 20 the actuator should be mounted directly on the close coupling shank
3. position but should have as less load as possible on it This situation is given in the above sequence just when the loco has stopped after backing up or just a slight hint before that Try to play around with your decoder s timing parameters to find the optimal setting 5 2 Operation with ZIMO Decoders MX634 and similar The uncoupling function of ZIMO decoders is perfectly suited for the kit Attach the couplers to one of the function outputs FO1 FO6 as desired serial configuration both couplers on one output recommended cv Vaus Meaning O 128 132 48 Uncoupler function on this output FO1 FO6 pick desired 115 46 Tens digit full power time 4 0 8s Ones digit hold power in 10 percent 6 60 116 173 Hundreds digit Back up to unload coupler before decoupling 1 Tens digit Back away disengage time 7 3 seconds Ones digit Internal speed while backing away 3 speed 12 User s Manual 5 3 Operation with ESU Lokpilot 4 0 ESU Lokpilot s 4 0 digital coupler differs from the above sequence because it opens the knuckle before the locomotive backs up causing the knuckle to jam to the wagon s one thus hindering proper uncoupling To work around this we must use the digital coupler function only for the back and forward movement and leave the corresponding output AUX2 unused The actuator will be installed on a separate AUX1 outpu
4. or behind the NEM pocket This ensures that the actuator does not move the shank to the side when operated Because of the geometry of the NEM couplers it is not required for the thread to run parallel to the shank a Avoid routing the thread around corners because this may not only hinder the actuation of the knuckle but also prevent the coupler from re centering when switched off If corners cannot be avoided make sure it s rounded and has a smooth surface or better guide the thread within a thin brass tube gently bended into the desired shape can help Hint Insert a wire of matching diameter into the tube before bending to keep it open 3 2 Attach the actuator For a test drive it is recommended to attach the actuator with double sided adhesive tape When satisfied remove the tape and glue the actuator on its place using super glue or gemstone glue GEM TAC or Jewel It The latter has the advantage that it remains somewhat flexible and that it can be removed using alcohol if required a Remove any dirt and grease from both the actuator and the mounting surface using alcohol m Make sure that no glue drips onto the reel and on the front part of the actuator User s Manual 3 3 Attach the thread For best results please follow the exact order below 1 Attach the thread to the coupler s knuckle Make one winding around the coupler s head and pull it firmly around the point where the knuckle s spring is
5. 355 361 0 Control CV C no condition 362 4 Output AUX1 On Config 1 The most critical values are CV 276 coupler turn on delay and CV 248 back up time These values must be tuned to each other play around with them until you find the optimal combination This is around the point where the coupler opens just when the loco is just stopping In general CV 276 must increase when CV 248 increases and vice versa If the coupler opens too early while the loco is still backing up increase CV 276 If the coupler opens too late while the loco is backing away decrease CV 276 DCC Uncoupler Conversion Kit 6 SPECIFICATIONS Parameter Coupler operating voltage Coupler operating current Maximum ON time Dimensions Value 12 18 VDC when using the supplied 75 ohms resistors 150 MA 5 10 seconds a 20 second pause before the next decoupling cycle is required 0 48 length x 0 16 diameter 12x4mm 7 TROUBLESHOOTING Although the knuckle is actuated decoupling fails The couplers are not fully pushed in If there is any slack between them the opening knuckle jolts on the mating coupler s one and fails to slide out of way Always make sure that the couplers are fully pushed together before uncoupling m The thread does not run in parallel to the shank This causes the coupler to swing to the side before the knuckle is opened and may hinder the proper opening
6. attached to the knuckle Tighten it and make a square knot You don t need to glue it there it will last Pull the thread to the actuator s reel make one winding around the reel and make a single knot Adjust the length of the thread by pulling on it at either side of the reel The length is ideal when the thread is tight while the coupler is swung to its outermost position Loop thread around knuckle here then tie firm O and fasten with QOQ square knot lt lt pull WA pull gt gt If you re satisfied with the length fix the thread on the reel using a tiny drop of super glue Be careful not to bring any glue into the gap between the reel and the actuator Hint This is best achieved by picking up a small amount of glue with a toothpick and dropping it directly over the knot Using too much will likely creep into the gap between the actuator or it might creep along the thread and harden it 4 ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION 4 1 DCC Decoder Requirements You will need a DCC decoder with one for simultaneous operation of both couplers or two for independent operation free function output s each capable of supplying at least 150mA of current Please consult your decoder s documentation about the current limit on the function output If it does not source enough current the couplers can still be used but a little extra electronic is required see section 4 5 and 4 6 See chapter 5 Programming the Decoder f
7. of the knuckle This is seldom a problem with NEM pocket couplers because they can do only very limited swing Make sure that the thread pulling the actuator runs absolutely parallel with respect to the shank a The thread and or the reel cannot move freely they have too much friction Make sure that the thread can run freely the actuators reel does not have contact to a fixed part and that the thread has not slioped into the gap between the reel and the actuators axis m Automatic decoupler timing is not correct gt Adjust the timing according to chapter 5 Programming the Decoder Decoupling fails when only one or two light cars are attached Lower the series resistor by paralleling two 75 ohm resistors to achieve a kick off effect only recommended when decoder supports automatic uncoupling See 8 APPENDIX 8 1 Warranty We offer a full two 2 year warranty from the date of purchase Within this period we repair or exchange your device free of charge in case of any defect If you experience any problems please contact us first We try hard to solve your problem as soon as possible even after the warranty period Not covered by the warranty are any damages resulting out of improper use willful damage and especially overheating due to operation outside the specifications 8 2 Contact Precimodels Rolf Eichenseher Bullingerstr 63 BK241 CH 8004 Zurich Switzerland www precimodels com info
8. Conversion Kit 5 PROGRAMMING THE DECODER 5 1 General considerations Although not required a decoder with integrated digital coupler function ake uncoupling macro is helpful because it makes the entire uncoupling process a one touch operation The sequence for uncoupling is Back up gt open knuckle gt back away release knuckle Decoders with digital coupler function can execute this sequence on a single function key press To configure the decoder accordingly please consult your decoder s manual of how to set up the digital coupler function Note ESU Lokpilot 4 0 requires a special tweak see below Alternatively you need to choose to program your function output as momentary or time limited on the decoder or on your command station and control movement by hand Don t use permanent on off function for this as you might risk to burn the actuator if you forget to switch it off In any case it is required that the decoder s output is time limited in operation The actuators and the series resistors are not designed for permanent operation and will overheat when continuously switched on for more than 5 10 seconds The resistor can get hot during normal operation so make sure it does not touch any plastic parts Install the resistor with free air around it or touching only metal parts Correct timing is crucial for operation The coupler must be actuated while it is in push
9. as an kick off effect Use ONLY with a properly timed decoder ZIMO ESU with automatic uncoupling function otherwise you will burn the actuators very quickly The output must be able to supply 250 mA for a short duration 4 4 Two independent operated couplers Option 2 This method is preferred if you want to install the mod kit within cars By their nature cars are often coupled at both ends and having the couplers controlled independently is required to decide where decoupling from the rest of the train should happen Note This option requires two function outputs on the DCC controller Decoder common blue min 150mA Front actuator Function output 1 green 75 Ohm 0 5W Decoder common blue min 150mA Rear actuator Function output 2 75 Ohm 0 5W User s Manual 4 5 Using a standard low power function output If the decoder has no outputs available which can source the required 150mA you can use the following circuit to amplify the decoder s output to the required strength Decoder common blue Low power function output min 0 5mA BC327 SMD BC807 10 kOhm Front actuator Rear actuator 75 Ohm 0 5W Decoder GND 4 6 UsingaTIL function output Some decoders like ESU Lokpilot have TTL outputs They can also be used with an appropriate circuit Decoder common blue Front actuator Rear actuator 75 Ohm 0 5W TTL output BC337 SMD BC817 10 kOhm Decoder GND DCC Uncoupler
10. or more information 4 2 Wiring Wiring should be done accordingly to the desired operation see below Use the supplied extension cables as required and make sure you isolate the solder joints using shrink hose to avoid short circuits The resistor can get hot during coupler operation so make sure it does not touch any plastic parts The resistor s body should only be in contact with metal surfaces or alternatively with enough space around it The actuator s sense of rotation can be reversed by changing its polarity Depending on your mounting situation one direction may work better than the other so it is advisable to try both before making the wiring permanent DCC Uncoupler Conversion Kit 4 3 Both couplers on one function output Option 1 This is recommended for most locomotives because it doesn t matter when the front coupler is also actuated while decoupling at the rear and vice versa Many standard decoders have one free function output when using a standard 8 pin interface this output is usually the green wire on Pin 3 Decoder common blue min 150mA Front actuator Rear actuator Function output 1 green 75 Ohm 0 5W L WW Second resistor only when using a 75 Ohm decoder with automatic uncoupling 0 5W The second paralleled resistor has the effect that more current 250mA is flowing through the actuators This improves uncoupling of a single car because the opening coupler h
11. precimodels com Phone 41 22 550 05 42 Mobile 41 76 747 07 42 ce User s Manual 8 3 About this document All trademarks mentioned in this document are property of the respective owners All information provided here is subject to change without prior notice Document Revision 5 2015 04 30 Copyright 2014 Precimodels Printed in Switzerland 10
12. t which will be linked to the digital coupler function via ESU s function mapping AUX1 must be configured to act on the same function key as the uncoupling function but with switch on delay and automatic switch off The switch on delay must be set accordingly so the couplers open just when the locomotive reverses direction while the automatic switch off must be set to hold the coupler open long enough but no longer In the example mapping below the automatic decoupling function is invoked by the function key F2 Pirate controlling automatic back and forth movement 283 AUX2 Mode Select ROCO coupler function 246 1 Speed during automatic uncoupling 247 255 Time of backing away from the train after decoupling in 0 016s 4 1s 248 95 105 Time of backing up to the train before decoupling in 0 016s 1 55 1 72s Options controlling the coupler output AUX1 cv Vawe Meaning 275 AUX1 Mode Select Dimmable light 276 Switch on delay in 0 4s steps 2 4s 277 3 max 12 Switch off delay in 0 4s steps 1 2s Keep as short as possible for optimal operation must never exceed 5 seconds 278 31 Maximum switch on time 100 Options to trigger AUX1 together with digital coupler function NOTE To access these values set CV 32 2 before cv Value Meaning 353 0 Control CV A no condition 354 1 Control CV B Function F2 active
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