RR-Concepts YardMaster User manual

This manual contains detailed hookup and programming instructions for the
YardMaster controller with the Expanded Programming software.
Please download “wire-to-wire” hookup diagrams at http://www.RR-Concepts.com.
- Please do not attach Power wires (from your power pack)
to any other terminals except the designated inputs.
Your YardMaster will be damaged if power is put on any of the sensor terminals, Lamp
terminals, or Turnout terminals!!
The YardMaster contains a micro controller and can be reset by cycling the power. To do this,
turn your transformer off for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
The YardMaster will throw the turnout and switch the on-board relay to it’s previous state before
power was removed.
Before we Start
o
o
YardMaster
Turnout Controller
Lamp Driver
Power Switcher
Two Color Status LED
Programming LED
RR-Concepts
Switch TerminalsA
Switch B Terminals
TO TURNOUT
L1amp
OUT
L2amp
OUT
Switch Common
ALTERNATE sensor
YardMaster Power
Switch B
Sensor
Switch A
Sensor
YM
ard aster
Turnout Controller - Lamp Driver - Power Switcher
RR-Concepts.com
1
2
3
4
5
6
20
19
18
17
16
15
711
812
913
10 14
RR-Concepts.com
XP- Expanded Programming

RR-Concepts.com
YardMaster Versions
Since there are different styles of turnouts (switches), there are also
different configurations of the YardMaster to control them.
The Standard Yardmaster will control LGB style (2 wire) turnouts.
The following YardMaster software versions are available:
* Standard YardMaster for LGB style turnouts.
* HO YardMaster for 3 wire turnouts.
* Continuous turnout YardMaster for Tortiose, Aristocraft, and Pneumatic turnouts.

RR-Concepts.com
To
Power Pack
TRACK
Terminals
To
Power Pack
ACCESSORIES
Terminals
Attach to
Isolated
TRACK
Attach to
Common
TRACK
Isolator
Isolator
2 Trains on 1Track - Block Control Hookup Diagram
Place MAGNET
on bottom of engines.
For two trains on one track this is all you need to do.
Remove any YardMaster time delay if one has been programmed.
When the power supply unit is turned on the train should run. If it does not then trigger
the alternate sensor by briefly touching contacts 3 and 4 together with a piece of wire.
This is a one-time operation since the YardMaster will remember the state when it
is power cycled.
Change the direction of train to run as shown and adjust the speed as desired.
The signal light is optional but adds to the fun.
Switch B
Sensor
Switch A
Sensor
Switch B Terminal
YM
ard aster
Turnout Controller - Lamp Driver - Power Switcher
RR-Concepts.com
1
2
3
4
5
6
20
19
18
17
16
15
711
812
913
10 14
Common
Optional
To Signal Light
Suggested
f for track
connections
Block
Control

RR-Concepts.com
To
Power Pack
TRACK
Terminals
Attach to
Isolated
TRACK
Attach to
Isolated
TRACK
Attach to
Common
TRACK
Attach to
Common
TRACK
Isolator
Isolator
1 or 2 Trains on 1Track with a StationStop
Place MAGNET
on bottom of engines.
Switch B
Sensor
Switch A
Sensor
Switch B Terminal
Switch B Terminal
YM
ard aster
Turnout Controller - Lamp Driver - Power Switcher
RR-Concepts.com
1
2
3
4
5
6
20
19
18
17
16
15
711
812
913
10 14
YM
ard aster
Turnout Controller - Lamp Driver - Power Switcher
RR-Concepts.com
1
2
3
4
5
6
20
19
18
17
16
15
711
812
913
10 14
Common
Common
Optional
To Signal Light
Optional
To Signal Light
J
u
m
p
er
wire
aroundbl
o
ck
Suggested
f for track
connections
Station Stop
Block
Control
For two trains on one track this is all you need to do.
Remove any YardMaster time delay if one has been programmed.
When the power supply unit is turned on the train should run. If it does not then trigger
the alternate sensor by briefly touching contacts 3 and 4 together with a piece of wire.
This is a one-time operation since the YardMaster will remember the state when it
is power cycled.
Change the direction of train to run as shown and adjust the speed as desired.

To
Power Pack
TRACK
Terminals
To
Power Pack
ACCESSORIES
Terminals
Attach to
TRACK
Station Stop Hookup Diagram
Place MAGNET
on bottom of engine.
Add additional sensors in PARALLEL
for additional station stops.
For a simple station stop, this is all you need to do!
Make sure to program the YardMaster for the desired time delay.
When the power supply unit is turned on the train should run. If it does not then trigger
the alternate sensor by briefly touching contancts 3 and 4 together with a piece of wire.
This is a one-time operation since the YardMaster will remember the switch state when it
is power cycled
Change direction of train as required. The YardMaster will operate in both directions.
Adding a signal light is optional, but adds to the fun.
YM
ard aster
Turnout Controller - Lamp Driver - Power Switcher
RR-Concepts.com
1
2
3
4
5
6
20
19
18
17
16
15
711
812
913
10 14
YardMaster Power
Switch Common
Switch A
Sensor
Switch B Terminals
RR-Concepts.com
Common
Suggested
f for track
connections
Station
Stop

YM
ard aster
Turnout Controller - Lamp Driver - Power Switcher
RR-Concepts.com
1
2
3
4
5
6
20
19
18
17
16
15
711
812
913
10 14
Common
Suggested
f for track
connections
Switch A
Sensor
Track connections not shown. AC, DC, or DCC trains are controlled.
Make sure to program the YardMaster for the desired time delay.
When the power supply unit is turned on the train should run. If it does not then trigger
the alternate sensor by briefly touching contancts 3 and 4 together with a piece of wire.
This is a one-time operation since the YardMaster will remember the switch state when it
is power cycled
Change direction of train as required. The YardMaster will operate in both directions.
Adding a signal light is optional, but adds to the fun.
Using wire nuts, a clever re-arrangement of wires would only require 4 track connections.
Station Stop Hookup Diagram for a Track Section
Place MAGNET
on bottom of engine.
Track power provides
power to YardMaster
RR-Concepts.com
Add this to a remote location on your railroad.
Isolators
Station
Stop

A Smart Turnout will allow one train to go Left, (Passenger train goes to Station)
while the other train goes to main line. (Freight train does not go to station).
All trains with the magnet offset to the left will go left, while all trains with the magnet
offset to the right will go right.
The Smart Turnout works for ALL trains- Electric, Battery and Live Steam.
For more fun, the YardMaster can directly drive a signal lamp synchronized with the
turnout. See the YardMaster manual for hookup details.
Smart Turnout
YM
ard aster
Turnout Controller - Lamp Driver - Power Switcher
RR-Concepts.com
1
2
3
4
5
6
20
19
18
17
16
15
711
812
913
10 14
Switch B
Sensor
Switch A
Sensor
YardMaster Power TO TURNOUT
RR-Concepts.com
Accessories
output

In this configuration the train will alternate the turnout each time it crosses over
the sensor. Each train that approaches will take an alternate path.
This could be useful for multiple trains that follow each other on the same track.
The Alternating Path hookup will work for ALL trains- Electric, Battery and Live Steam.
For more fun, the YardMaster can directly drive a signal lamp synchronized with the
turnout. See the YardMaster manual for hookup details.
Alternating Paths
YM
ard aster
Turnout Controller - Lamp Driver - Power Switcher
RR-Concepts.com
1
2
3
4
5
6
20
19
18
17
16
15
711
812
913
10 14
Alternate
Sensor
YardMaster Power TO TURNOUT
RR-Concepts.com
Accessories
output

Terminals 7 and 8 are the Switch A sensor. This will turn ON the signal light.
Terminals 1,2 and 5, 6 attach to the ACCESSORIES output of the power pack.
Program a time delay as desired. It is also possible to use the
Switch B sensor to turn off the signal light instead of using a time delay.
When sensor A is tripped the YardMaster will switch power to the
SWITCH A terminals. After the timer has expired or the B sensor is triggered
the switch will return to the Switch B state and turn off the signal light.
This hookup assumes that the crossing light contains electronics to flash the
lamps.
YM
ard aster
Turnout Controller - Lamp Driver - Power Switcher
RR-Concepts.com
1
2
3
4
5
6
20
19
18
17
16
15
711
812
913
10 14
Switch A
Sensor
Switch Common
Switch A
RR-Concepts.com
Attach to ACCESSORIES output to Switch Common
and YardMaster Power
YardMaster Power
Controlling Crossing Signal Lights

Track Isolators, 4 required.
Attach to Left rail
YM
ard aster
Turnout Controller - Lamp Driver - Power Switcher
RR-Concepts.com
1
2
3
4
5
6
20
19
18
17
16
15
711
812
913
10 14
TO STURNOUT
Accessories Input
Power
Switch B Terminals
Switch A Terminals
A
to
t
a
cs
h
tI
o
l
a
t
e
d
L
e
f
t
R
a
il
A
t
t
a
cat
ho
toIs
lL
e
d
e
f
t
R
a
i
l
Alternating Trains Hookup Diagram
This hookup will allow two trains to alternate. When one train enters a siding it will
trigger a sensor which will switch power to the other track. The other train will then run.
Both turnouts are wired in parallel and attached to the TURNOUT terminals of the YardMaster.
The exiting turnout can be powered or non-powered.
The YardMaster will switch when the train is clear of the sensor to prevent the train from
parking on the sensor.
Place the sensor such that the train stops before reaching the isolator. The sensors have no polarity.
Clear any time delay programming if it has been set. (See manual) If acceleration, deceleration, or
a station stop is desired consider adding a StationMaster to this hookup.
For back-and-forth alternating trains add an additional YardMaster or a StationMaster/Reverser.
For each train to do a complete back-and-forth operation before switching program the lap
count to 2. This will cause the YardMaster to ignore every other sensor.
See http://www.StationMaster.net for more info.
RR-Concepts.com
Suggested
f for track
connections
Alternate
Sensor
Alternate
Sensor