DCCconcepts Cobalt-SS User manual

DCCconcepts Cobalt-SS Surface mount point motor:
Thank you for buying our Cobalt-SS point motors. Cobalt-SS and its
control board perform well with DCC or DC power. We cover wiring
and control with both power sources later in this manual.
Every single Cobalt-SS is thoroughly tested both during production
and prior to packing for sale, so we are condent it will work well.
The nal steps for successful use, long life and reliability are of course
installation, connection and setting Cobalt-SS up ready for operation.
While installation and connection are not at all difcult, as always
there is something new to learn and there are right and wrong ways
to do some things - so we would like you to read this manual carefully,
work step by step and refer to the manual often during that process.
If you get stuck or have questions at any time, please do not hesitate
to call us or email your enquiry to [email protected].
Each pack of Cobalt-SS will include the following.
(The actual quantity supplied depends on the Cobalt-SS pack size)
* Comprehensive Instruction booklet.
* 2, 6 or 12 Cobalt-SS micro-sized Above-Board Point motors
* 1, 3 or 6 Cobalt-SS control and connection boards
* 1, 2 or 3 600mm 4-wire Cobalt-SS Extension leads
* 1, 2 or 3 Adapter PCBs to allow you to economically power TWO or
more Cobalt-SS motors from one output, Including Y connection & an
adapter with “reverse throw” option for crossovers or passing loops.
* A generous quantity of tie bar linkage designs suitable for N, OO/HO
and O scales, both with and without track-bed.
* A generous quantity of screws for xing Cobalt-SS & Control board.
* ALL packs also include free samples of our nely tooled scale
models of Westinghouse EP point motors. (We will include 1x OO/
HO scale, 1x N scale and 1x O scale sample in all 2, 6 and 12 packs).
The Westinghouse EP prototype point/turnout motor was used widely
in many countries including UK, USA, Australia and parts of Europe
from the early part of the 20th century. In fact, it is still in use today!
(If you wish to add more of these important details to your layout, they
are available in economical 12-packs from your DCCconcepts Dealer)
Warranties and After-Sales Service:
The basic warranty for Cobalt-SS is 12 months from date of purchase.
However, we only use the highest quality parts for all of our Cobalt &
Cobalt-SS products so should your motor ever fail, please contact us.
Even if your Cobalt-SS fails outside the warranty period we will still do
our best to help you. Providing we are satised that user error is not
the cause or if we cannot clearly identify reasonable cause for failure,
we will usually replace any faulty parts free of charge.
We understand that waiting for the return of warranty items can be
frustrating for you so we guarantee spare-parts availability, and if we
do not have the parts needed for repair available or in stock, we will
replace the product rather than inconvenience you.
Please note: Warranties are not transferrable and are offered to the
original owner. We do reserve the right to request proof of purchase.
Help and Advice:
These detailed instructions should give you most of the information
you will need to install, set up and operate your Cobalt-SS motors.
Please read them carefully as most things are explained here.
Additionally, there are additional instructions provided with Cobalt-SS
accessories and adapter leads.... with both added application man-
uals and video instructions underway as well. (check our website for
updates please)
However we do understand that you may still have some questions,
as experience has shown us that there will always be a special
application for almost any product we create. Therefore we invite you
to email or telephone us if you need more information. Our customer
supports staff in Australia and the United Kingdom are ready to help.
Important Information:
Cobalt-SS is very simple to use and connect but please remember that it is a
sophisticated 4-wire stepper-motor managed by digital micro-controllers.
All electronics are sensitive to how you handle them and it is very important that
you read and follow all of our instructions as you install and connect Cobalt-SS.
Do not remove the plug or try to connect a Cobalt-SS motor directly to AC, DC or DCC.
When adding power to the Cobalt-SS PCB use only a regulated DC power supply
11~23v or a DCC system with an output track voltage between 11 and 23 volts.
NEVER connect active power (eg track power or similar) to the push-button
switch inputs of the Cobalt-SS Control PCB. Incorrect wiring or wrong power sup-
ply choices will lead to failure which is NOT covered by warranty. Installation &
connection must be done with the power off. If in any doubt please ask us rst!
Installing your DCCconcepts Cobalt-SS: The Basics.
Please read these instructions rst, then keep them close at hand.
Take your time with the rst few installations. Work one step at a time and
check as you go. Installation is quite simple, all screws and ttings are
supplied and the connection between Cobalt-SS and its Control board is
a simple plug and socket, so it is easy to do and the whole process will
soon become a pleasant and satisfying hobby task.
Preparing your pointwork for Cobalt-SS installation:
These instructions are common to many brands, however as many of our
Cobalt-SS customers will use Peco pointwork, we will focus on it here:
* We strongly recommend that you use live frog or “Electrofrog” for all
types of pointwork. (We also nd that the ner rail of Peco Code 75 is
easier to work with and lay well, so please do consider using it)
* Remove the Peco “Snap Spring” before laying the turnout. It is no longer
needed. It will increase loading and interfere with smooth changing
* While it is NOT always necessary, we DO suggest that you consider
modifying the turnout to properly isolate the frog from the closure rails.
This simple modication will really enhance the reliability of electrical con-
tact in your pointwork. It really IS a simple task & detailed “How to” advice
can be found later in this manual OR in the advice section of our our
website at www.dccconcepts.com. (search “Wiring pointwork” please)
* Cobalt-SS linkages are designed to link to your pointwork via a small
hole in the end of the tie-bar (The part that moves the blades). This is
VERY easy with Peco. Simply use a sharp blade to cut off the small,
hollow vertical pin at the end of the tie-bar and it will already be there!
The Control PCB. Planning the position & mounting it.
We mention this rst as each motor is tted with a non-removeable
pre-terminated connection lead so you will need to decide where to place
the Cobalt-SS control board most conveniently for connection.
(Please note: As you will need to set up the throw distance as well as the
addresses of your Cobalt-SS motors, you MAY nd it easier to use set
up your motors prior to xing the Control Board under the layout). This is
made easy to do by the “Plug and Play” nature of all connections.
Each DCCconcepts Cobalt-SS motor will be connected to a control
board. Each control board will handle 2 motor addresses and each output
can also handle TWO motors for a complete crossover from one output.
Your Cobalt-SS Control Boards will need to be mounted quite close to
the motors that they control. Cobalt-SS motor lead length is 150mm and
we include extension leads in each pack to give you a choice of position.
Every pack also includes 1 or more combined reverse-direction and Y
connector leads to make complex interconnection easier. As one output
is able to operate crossovers & loops this also makes it very economical.
Optional Accessories also include: (See the full list later in the manual)
(1) A Cobalt-SS “Crossover ADD-ON” pack” that includes TWO additional
Cobalt-SS motors and accessories including links, an extension lead and
both Y-connection and Reverse connection adapters.
(2) A wide selection of Y-connectors, reverse adapters and extension
leads plus, for the solderer... additional cable. Our Accessory packs will
allow almost any possible conguration to remain plug and play.
Should you mount the Control PCB on top OR underneath? It is up
to you. You can choose to install the Control Board above or below the
baseboard. Wherever you choose to place the Control Board, please
plan carefully and think about the following issues:
* If above the baseboard, it should be in a position that is easily accessed
for connecting switches or LEDs, adjustment or set-up of the address.
It should also be protected from moisture while adding scenery and be in
a safe position that will not allow metal fragments (from stripping wire etc)
to fall onto the PCB surface and create accidental damage.
* If mounted below the baseboard, it should be close enough to each
motor so that the plug is not awkward to insert or the lead pulled too tight
(ie: when you install the motor and drill the small hole for the motor lead.
please also allow for baseboard thickness plus a little slack in the lead).
As the Cobalt-SS lead is 150mm long this generally means positioning
the appropriate control board connection within 100mm of the hole.
* To x the Control board in place, please use the screws provided and
don’t over-tighten them. If you prefer you can also use good quality foam
mounting tape, but please use only 3M or a similar high quality brand
foam tape as low cost discount-store tapes sometimes have sightly acidic
glue and can potentially damage the copper tracks of the control board.
Cobalt-SS
General Cobalt-SS product information
Cobalt-SS
Basic Preparation, Planning Installation
Cobalt-SS
OWNERS
MANUAL
Created by
DCCconcepts
MADE
in
CHINA

Cobalt-SS
Installing , Connecting and Adjusting your Cobalt-SS Motors
For more information visit our Website
www.DCCconcepts.com
DCCconcepts Ltd (UK and Australia)
UK: Ph [phone]
AU: Ph [phone]
A clear, visual indication helps, so here’s another diagram with Cobalt-SS plus all of the wires & accessories connected.
We have also added additional information where a more detailed explaination will be helpful.
Please note: We have used variants of Green, Red and Blue/Black to represent the added wires. Your wire choice is up to you!
When you wire, please read the manual then also read the print on the PCB as you insert the wires. With all the information
also printed onto the PCB at every connection point, you should nd it easy to get it all right rst time!
We’ve shown only 1 set of connections: A Cobalt-SS Control Board can control 2 separate DCC addresses & several motors!
The complete range of Cobalt & Alpha
products can be found on our website at
www.dccconcepts.com
Cobalt-SS
Cobalt-SS: Basic wiring and features
22
1
1
33
44
55
66
77
88
11 11
9 9
1010
Cobalt-SS Does not mind whether you power it with DCC
or DC and is equally usable on layouts with either system.
Wiring is soldering-free. ALL connections are either very
simple “Plug and Play” connections or Screw Terminals.
Each Cobalt-SS Control board has TWO control outputs
& each output can control more than 1 Cobalt-SS motor.
Operation can be via two momentary switches or by
DCC-Digital control and setting the address is easy to do.
Basic connection needs only 1, 2 and 3 to be used. These
and all other Cobalt-SS connections are explained below.
Power Connection: Cobalt-SS works well with both
DC and DCC power input. Voltage range is 12~23v.
Cobalt-SS is connected with a simple plug & socket.
DCC-Addressing is via a simple switch. Choose an
address, move it to “Set”, act as if already changing the
turnout at that address and then return to “Run” mode.
Momentary switch connection (Left/Com/Right).
Panel LEDs or Computer I.O. or Colour Light Signals.
Independent additional S.P.D.T. changeover switch.
Turnout FROG power switching (Left/Com/Right).
Cobalt-SS “Direction Swap” switch for reversing the
direction of the turnout throw.
Adjustment of Cobalt-SS “Point throw” distance for
various scales or pointwork types.
Indicator LEDs to guide your adjustment of the “Point
throw distance. (“Small-Medium-Large-Extra Large”)
The Reset Buttons re-centre Cobalt-SS. It returns
throw settings to factory Default. Hold for 3 seconds.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Pushbutton switches
(or our Cobalt-S Levers).
This gives you DCC-Digital &
manual point control too.
Power IN
from the DCC track
power bus OR the
regulated DC Power
Supply if you do not
use DCC!
Power Link:
If you have several
Cobalt-SS control
boards, you can just
“Daisy-Chain” them
together with these
terminals.
The Reset button.
Just hold it down for
3 seconds. Cobalt-SS
will then return to it’s
ex-factory settings!
Panel LEDs, computer IO
indication or 2-light signals!
The easy to understand “Set-Run
Switch” for setting the address. See below
for a step by step instruction
A spare SPDT switch
can do many things.
Here we have connected it to
two isolated sections ahead of the
Heel of the point and wired it so that if
the point is not set for the train to cross
safely, power to that section will be turned off.
This will prevent accidental derailments and the
inevitable short-circuits that will otherwise occur!
Cobalt-SS has “Frog” polarity switches built
in too so there is no need for you to add anything
else. There is no complicated wiring so electrofrog
or “Live Frog” points are now much easier to use!
Connecting the Cobalt-SS is easy!
Just plug it into the socket provided! Each
output CAN control more than one!
To “Swap over” the Cobalt-SS throw
direction, just change this switch.
To adjust the
throw, adjust with
a small cross-type
screwdriver.
These indicator
LEDs show you the
distance you set.
1
11 9
1
3
4
5
67
2
2
8
10
Setting the DCC Address of your Cobalt-SS Motor:
Cobalt-SS
Teaching your Cobalt-SS Motor it’s new address and adjusting the throw distance
Adjusting the throw distance of a Cobalt-SS Motor:
There are NO Complex DCC-digital
commands or CVs to remember.
Please use these instructions, not the
accessory decoder instructions that
are supplied with your DCC system.
SET RUN
Please note that if you have a screen-based system such as the
Roco Z21 or ESU ECoS you will need to create a track diagram
or set up an on-screen turnout before you can set an Address.
(1) Connect your Cobalt-SS to the DCC track power bus
or your dedicated DCC Accessory Power Bus.
(2) Decide which number you wish Cobalt-SS to use and
then move the Set-Run switch to the “Set” position.
(3) Follow your DCC system instructions for changing a
point or turnout using the number that you chose.
(We repeat this procedure twice just to be sure)
(4) Return the Set-Run switch to the “Run” position.
(5) Repeat 3 and Cobalt-SS will respond to that address.
All you will need to do is watch this set
of six LEDs marked S - M - L - XL
to clearly indicate the set position.
As you GENTLY adjust the position
of this with a ne “+” type screwdriver!
We chose the S - M - L - XL as it is a common designation on
many things - indicating increase or change in size. You’ll nd that
they correspond approximately to Z, N, OO/HO and O scale.
(1) Install your Cobalt-SS and test your installation leaving
the settings at the factory default position.
(2) If the blade does not move fully either way, adjust the
installation to improve centering then re-test it.
(3) If the blade moves across well before the motor stops,
reduce the throw by turning the adjuster anti-clockwise.
(4) If the blade does not move fully or has weak pressure,
increase the throw by turning the adjuster clockwise.
(5) To go back to a default throw, hold the “Re-Set” down.
Created by
DCCconcepts
MADE
in
CHINA

Cobalt-SS
Preparing pointwork for best performance
We have used PECO Electrofrog Pointwork for our example
as many Cobalt-SS users use them on their layout.
Using other brands? No problem. ANY brand of live frog point
can be wired like this, giving superior power pickup and slow
speed reliability every time in any scale!
PREPARE THE TIE-BAR
Use Cobalt and Alpha products for turnout or layout control and nothing is impossible any more!
The complete range of Cobalt & Alpha
products can be found on our website at
www.dccconcepts.com
Cobalt-SS is very economical for controlling crossovers,
loops and similar arrangements, as a Cobalt-SS Control
board can control two or more motors on each output.
And... as well as a “Change direction switch” on the Control
board, (marked CW ~ CCW on the Control Board) we have
included some useful 3-way adapter leads with every pack.
There is 1 in the 2 pack, 2 in the 6 pack and 4 in the 12 pack)
Our plug-and-play leads allow easy distance extension, an
extension for a motor with swapped direction and simple “Wye”
or Y-connnection of two motors to any Control PCB output.
DCP-CBXO: 2x Cobalt-SS Motors, Plus 1x 50mm Y connection
lead, 1x 50mm “Swap direction” lead and 2x medium extension
leads for simple plug & play connection of loops or crossovers.
DCP-CBULL: A pack of 3x 1 metre long universal extension
leads with a 3-way adapter to extend, Wye and reverse connect.
DCP-CBUML: A pack of 3x 600mm medium universal extension
leads with 3-way adapter to extend, Wye & reverse connect.
DCP-CBYSL: A pack of 3x short (50mm) Y (Wye) connector
leads for easy parallel connection of two Cobalt-SS motors.
DCP-CBRSL: A pack of 3x short (50mm) “Swap direction”
leads for simple plug & play parallel connection for Cobalt-SS
motors with one normal, one working in the reverse direction.
DCP-CBSSL: A pack of 3x 1 metre simple extension leads for
easy plug and play extendion of Cobalt-SS motor leads.
DCP-CBSML: A pack of 3x 600mm simple extension leads for
easy plug and play extendion of Cobalt-SS motor leads.
DCP-CB4WC: 6 Metres of Cobalt-SS 4-wire colour-coded
ribbon cable for extending the leads on Cobalt-SS motors.
Complete with heat-shrink. (Requires you to cut wires, so it is
only or those modellers who do not mind soldering).
DCP-CBLLP: This pack contains a wide variety of parts to
allow you to drive your pointwork with Cobalt-SS mounted at a
distance. Pack includes Brass & Teon tube, Phosphor bronze
wire, some cranks and a selection of screws and linkages.
Created by
DCCconcepts
MADE
in
CHINA
Cobalt-SS
Loops, Crossovers & Special Wiring
Connect more than one DCCconcepts Cobalt -SS motors to any Control Board output
All our examples use live or “Electrofrog” pointwork. For best and most reliable layout performance we recommend you
follow the instructions on our website. Search for “Wiring Pointwork & Special track conditions for DC or DCC”. Read Page 2.
FOR LOOPS or where both motors should work in the same direction:
Please use the WYE or Y-connection outputs on the DCP-CBUML or DCP-CBULL universal extension leads. Alter-
nately if the distance between the Cobalt-SS motors is small, you may prefer to utiliese the DCP-CBYSL short adapter
FOR CROSSOVERS or where both motors should work in OPPOSITE directions:
Use the REVERSE connection outputs of the DCP-CBUML or DCP-CBULL universal
extension leads.
Or, if the distance is
small you can use
DCP-CBRSL short
adapter leads.
Do you need to make THREE Cobalt-SS Motors work together?
With Cobalt-SS that’s easy. Just use two adapter boards together
to achieve the motor throw directions needed. Each motor output
on a Cobalt-SS Control Board can easily cope with three motors.
Cobalt-SS needs a small hole at the
end of the tie-bar but with Peco you
may not have to drill! Just use some
ne cutters OR a sharp scalpel blade
to remove just the small vertical pin.
As the pin is hollow, this will leave a
small hole ready for you to use with
your choice of Cobalt-SS Linkages.
CUT the FROG LINKS and BOND the Stock-rails to the Closure rails.
This is NOT an issue related to Cobalt-SS... but it will greatly improve the
overall performance and reliability of your layout and is “Best Practice”.
The frog links to be cut are shown in yellow. They should be cut with
sharp track cutters or similar. It will make it easier if you rst lift the link
slightly with a small screwdriver or similar.
The places to add the bonds are shown in RED. Use a short length
of ne solid wire as a conductive bond between the places shown. If you
use our S179 Solder and No-Clean SFNC ux it’s a quick, easy soldering job.
Frog Wire. Connect
to Cobalt-SS Board
Cut this Link
Bond the Stock Rail and the
Closure Rail together
Bond the Stock Rail and the
Closure Rail together
Cut this Link
Remove the spring
Do you need MORE of our realistic Westinghouse EP motors?
DCP-WEP-N 12 pcs N-Scale Westinghouse EP turnout motors
DCP-WEP-OO 12 pcs OO or HO Scale Westinghouse EP turnout motors
DCP-WEP-O 12 pcs O-Scale Westinghouse EP turnout motors

Cobalt-SS
Preparing pointwork for best performance
Use Cobalt and Alpha products for turnout or layout control and nothing is impossible any more!
The complete range of Cobalt & Alpha
products can be found on our website at
www.dccconcepts.com
Created by
DCCconcepts
MADE
in
CHINA
Cobalt-SS
Preparing the Tiebar & installing Links
We showed a little of this procedure in previous
pages but we thought a bit more detail might make
it clearer for you.
To install a Cobalt-SS link between motor and point, you will
need a small hole at the end of the tiebar (about 0.3mm or
1/64th inch). Most modellers will have the 0.3mm drill needed
for this, but if you use Peco pointwork, you won’t have to drill!
We used our DCCconcepts DCT-XTC super-sharp
track cutters but you could also use a sharp scalpel
blade. Make a neat, tidy cut, parallel to the tie-bar.
Once the small vertical pin is taken off the tie-bar,
the point will look better AND a perfectly formed
hole will be revealed, ready for a Cobalt-SS linkage
to be installed, as the image below shows!
Now we have the pointwork ready to go, it is time to
select the link you will use from the varieties that we
supply, insert it into the Cobalt-SS point motor, then in
turn, connect the link to the tiebar.
The primary diference between the links is the
relative height between the two ends of the link.
The link you choose depends on the scale of your
model - Z, N, O/HO or O etc, AND the thickness of
your trackbed!
First, insert the smaller U-shaped end of the link into the hole in
the phosphor bronze throw-bar of the Cobalt-SS motor.
Once that is done, insert the other end of the link through the
hole in the point tiebar.
(Continued top of next page)
Once the link has been inserted and you rest the Cobalt-SS on
the baseboard, the link should be close to parallel ~ horizontal.
If it is not, please consider adding a small, rm pad under the
motor before xing it down.
It just needs to be at & rm, so card, wood or similar, cut a little
larger than the motor and glued to the baseboard, are all OK.
Photographs above and below show a Cobalt-SS
motor with a link in place and ready to x in place.
Note that the motor is lined up with the tiebar & that
the link is also reasonably parallel to the board.
(1) Move the Cobalt-SS motor back forth until
the far blade touches the adjacent rail.
(2) Pre-drill a small pilot hole that in the center of
the long xing loop at each side of the motor
(3) Insert one of the black screws into each slot,
and tighten until it just touches the plastic of
the Cobalt-SS case.
(4) Using rm but gentle nger pressure on the
“Wire-end” of your Cobalt-SS motor to make
quite sure that the point blade is held rmly
against its adjacent stock rail, then tighten
each screw a just little more to x it in place.
(5) Insert one of the black screws into each slot,
and tighten until it just touches the plastic of
the Cobalt-SS case. (do not over-tighten)
(6) Now pre-drill a small pilot hole that in the
center of the round xing lugs at each side of
the motor and insert two more black screws.
As with the rst 2 screws, do not over-tighten.
The items in the image
above are some of the
smaller items contained in
the very comprehensive
Cobalt-SS tting kit. Every
packet includes more
linkages than motors and
we even include a spare
screw of each type
(1) These are blackened
self-tapping screws to x
the your Cobalt-SS motors
in place on the layout.
(2) These are the four
different types of cranks
supplied in every pack. We
supply more than you will
need so that you will have
spares for later use.
(3) The silver screws are
for xing the Cobalt-SS
control board to the layout.
1
2
3
With the installation done, connect your Cobalt-SS
motor to the control board and, after addressing or
connecting momentary or push button switches,
you can test your installation.
(1) If its OK and the throw is just right. Re-check the
screws are rm and move on to the next motor.
(2) If the throw seems too far or completes before
Cobalt-SS motor power turns off, reduce throw
by using the blue adjuster screw (1) in the dia-
gram. Lit LEDs should move from M towards S.
(3) If the throw seems too small or incomplete, then
increase the throw by using the blue adjuster
screw (1) in the diagram. The lit LEDs should
move from M towards XL.
(4) If the throw still seems uneven or incomplete,
then remove the screws from the round xing
lugs and slightly loosen the two screws in the
longer loops. Re-centralise the motor then
repeat steps 2 and 3 until operation is perfect.
Mounting Cobalt-SS further
away from your pointwork
Easy: Simply cut one of the
links in half and solder the
ends to a little brass wire.
We have also made you a
“Distant Mounting Pack”
It is complete with springy
but easy to solder PB wire,
some tubes, some cranks
and a wide set of linkages
so you can do many clever
things with Cobalt-SS!
For the more adventurous
modeller we’re nearly ready
to launch our working point
rodding kit too, so you can
then take it to the extreme!
We are modellers rst and foremost & we love to see our products
in action, so if you have the time, we’d really appreciate it if you
could send a picture to show us how you are using Cobalt-SS!