The RelaisChef - not available -

Content:

System requirements

Operation

Connection

Construction guidance

System requirements:

The RelaisChef is comparable with the known decoder type k84 but it differs from the latter insofar that it reacts to CAN-data only.

The RelaisChef can be operated from all devices of the CAN-digital-Bahn-Projekt that are intended for switching. The CentralStation 2 and the MobileStation 2 are also suited for that purpose. In short, there are many ways of handling.

The data connection of the RelaisChef is effected through normal network cable. It doesn't matter at which side a cable will be plugged in, there is no frontside or backside.

Besides the connection to the system cable the RelaisChef does not need any further operating voltage!

Naturally multiple RelaisChefs can be integrated into a bigger system structure, there aren't any boundaries due to address limitations. A RelaisChef can be programmed both to addresses out of the DCC or to addresses out of the Motorola range. If there is need for further adress range, it can learn that, too.

Operation:

The operation is, I think, self explanatory and it conforms to the procedure like with all known turnout decoder of the type k84. Through selection of the address at a central control or any other operating panel the RelaisChef will operate.

Addresses:
the four outputs of the RelaisChef are presetted automatically to the addresses 1 to 4 of the Motorola format.

To change the address adjustments, the RelaisChef needs to 'learn' the new address.

This is quite easy done, because therefor the push-button on the platine needs to be pressed once or up to four times. The number of actuation corresponds the output which is to be 'learned'. If one presses the push-button five times, one returns back into normal operation mode.

If for example one presses the push-button of the RelaisChef 2x, the connected LED at output 2 starts slowly to blink and the relais clicks. It can take a little moment till it blinks the first time, because the relais could already stand in that direction, into which the RelaisChef does switch first. With the switching the RelaisChef indicates that it is now looking for some switching command in the CAN-bus. This switching command can be sent from every control device. The received address of the switching command will be saved permanently for this output. This way not only the address is to be saved but also the with it provided data format, too! That means that it is possible to have two outputs at one RelaisChef which react to the address 1, but one to DCC address 1 and the other to Motorola address 1. Certainly all other combinations of addresses function with a RelaisChef. The address range the RelaisChef can 'learn' comprises 16 bit, what complies with 65536 addresses...

If one has forgotten on which address the RelaisChef is setted, one can read-out that again. Therefor one needs to put all the four outputs one after the other into the learn mode, because not only the LED of the RelaisChefs is blinking, it also sends the accordant position messages of the address to the CAN-bus. That implies that also the display of this address in the central control blinks. With Märklin central controls there is the little handikap, that while displaying the address range is not interpreted! Here the display of the address blinks equally if it was a DCC or a Motorola information. That is a pity, but unfortunately I can't change it. However, all of the CAN-digital-Bahn display modules do know the difference.

The RelaisChef has available a position feedback, but this information is to be send as answer to a recognized switch command and serves the control only, there is no evidence if the switch position is really achieved.

up

Connection:

The four connectors of the RelaisChef are changeover switches. The middle one of these is either switched to the right or to the left hand side of the connecting terminal. They are so called changeover contacts and with them different kinds of devices, like e.g. transfer tables or other motors can be switched and also changed in sense of rotation. All of them four relais are completely separatet from each other and can be used individually.