tams elektronik RCA-1 User manual

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RCA-1
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RailCom Anzeige n
RailCom display device n
Afficheur RailCom n
RailCom-display nAnleitung
nManual
nMode d´emploi
nHandleiding
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Art.-Nr. 45-02016 n
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nDeutsch 3
nEnglish 12
nFrançais 21
nNederlands 30
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© 09/2008 Tams Elektronik GmbH
Alle Rechte, insbesondere das Recht
der Vervielfältigung und Verbreitung
sowie der Übersetzung vorbehalten.
Vervielfältigungen und Reproduktionen
in jeglicher Form bedürfen der
schriftlichen Genehmigung durch die
Tams Elektronik GmbH.
Technische Änderungen vorbehalten.
© 09/2008 Tams Elektronik GmbH
All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, without prior
permission in writing from Tams
Elektronik GmbH.
Subject to technical modification.
© 09/2008 Tams Elektronik GmbH
Tout droits réservés, en particulier les
droits de reproduction et de diffusion
ainsi que le traduction. Toute
duplication ou reproduction sous
quelque forme que ce soit nécessite
l´accord écrit de la societé Tams
Elektronik GmbH.
Sous réserve de modifications
techniques.
© 09/2008 Tams Elektronik GmbH
Alle rechten voorbehouden. Niets uit
deze publicatie mag worden
vermenigvuldigd opgeslagen of
openbaar gemaakt, zonder
voorafgaande schriftelijke toestemming
van Tams Elektronik GmbH.
Technische wijzigingen voorbehouden.
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English RCA-1
Page 12
Table of contents
1. Getting started 13
2. Operation overview 14
3. Technical specifications 14
4. Connecting the RCA-1 15
5. Programming 16
6. Operation 18
7. Check list for troubleshooting 18
8. CE and Warranty 19
Remark: RailCom®is the registered trademark of the Lenz Elektronik
GmbH, Hüttenbergstraße 29, D-35398 Gießen. To increase the text´s
readabiliy we have refrained from refering to this point in each
instance.

RCA-1 English
Page 13
1. Getting started
Checking contents
Please make sure that your package contains:
§one or five modules (depending on the packaging unit),
§one or five jumpers for programming the address,
§this manual.
Required materials
In order to connect the display device RCA-1 you need wire.
Recommended diameters:
§>0,1 mm² for databus line,
§>0,25 mm² for all other connections.
Saftey instructions
The display device RCA-1 can be used in digital model railways in
concordance with these instructions to display RailCom messages, read
out by a local RailCom detector. It is not suitable for use by children
under 14. Incorrect use can be dangerous. In particular there is a risk
of electric shock through contact with metal parts under power,
especially when an incorrect voltage is used, or when operated in a too
humid or wet environment. Therefore the following precations should
be observed:
§Wiring should only be carry out when the control is disconnected.
§Only operate indoors in a dry environment.
§Only use proprietry transformers with the correct voltage.
§Only connect the transformer in an authorised manner to the house
power supply.
§Use adequetly thick cable for all wiring. Too thin a cable can
overheat.
§If the layout is exposed to condensation, allow at least two hours
for drying out.

English RCA-1
Page 14
2. Operation overview
Feedback with RailCom
RailCom is a log for bi-directional communication in digital model
railway layouts controlled in DCC-format. It allows e.g. the feedback of
the address and the CV values from RailCom decoders to the digital
control unit or to special receivers (so-called detectors). To transfer the
RailCom messages, special RailCom boosters supplying the so-called
RailCom cutout, have to be used.
Mode of operation
The RailCom display device RCA-1 has to be connected to a local
RailCom detector (e.g. RCD-1) supervising a seperated rail section. The
detector reads out the address and the CV values of a vehicle decoder
in the rail section. In order to read out the CV values a corresponding
reading out command has to be sent. The data is displayed in the
display of the RCA-1.
3. Technical specifications
Data format DCC
Feedback log RailCom
Supply voltage a.c. transformer 12 – 18 V
Current consumption approx. 50 mA
Protected to IP 00
Ambient temperature in use 0 - + 60 °C
Ambient temperature in storage -10 - + 80 °C
Comparative humidity allowed max. 85 %
Dimensions approx. 17,5 x 53,5 x 21,5 mm
Weight approx. 10 g

RCA-1 English
Page 15
X1.1
X1.2
X2.1
X2.2
B
A
+/~
-/~
4. Connecting the RCA-1
Connecting a local detector
You can connect the RCA-1 either
§directly to the detector which is intended to display the read out
data or
§to the detector via a data bus line connected to other detectors or
display devices.
When connecting the RCA-1 make sure to connect pin A of the display
device to pin A of the detector and pin B to pin B.
Connecting the power supply
As a power supply you can use an a.c. transformer with 12 – 18 V
already in use on your layout, e.g. for the lighting power supply. On no
account should you connect the RCA-1 to a transformer connected to
the digital system, this would cause a serious malfunction.
It is recommended to use a seperate transformer to supply all RailCom
display devices on the layout.
RCA-1 Connection to
JP1 Programming connection
X1.1 a.c. transformer 12 – 18 V
X1.2 a.c. transformer 12 – 18 V
X2.1 detector pin A
X2.2 detector pin B

English RCA-1
Page 16
5. Programming
By giving an identical address between 1 and 24 to the detector and
the accessory display device (or devices) you assign the devices to each
other. This enables the connection of several detectors and display
devices to one common databus line (and to minimize the cabling) and
the changing of the assignments any time.
With the RCA-1 you program the display device´s address as well as
the accessory detector´s address.
Programming the RCA-1
In order to program the address of the RCA-1 take the following steps:
§Before connecting the RCA-1 to the power supply shunt the two
pins of the programming connection JP1. The easiest way to do this
is to put on the jumper included in this package.
§Connect the RCA-1 to the power supply. The RCA-1 sends it´s
address and displays "SE" and the currently set address for a short
time.
§The RCA-1 automatically changes to programming it´s own address
and displays "Pr" and the currently set address. You can alter the
address by removing and replacing the jumper on the programming
connection pins. Each time, repeating this action increases the
address of the RCA-1 by one.
§The currently set address will be taken over immediately as new
address of the RCA-1 and must not be saved specially.
Programming an accessory detector
In order to programm the address of an accessory detector take the
following steps:
§Disconnect the RCA-1 and the accessory detector from the power
supply.

RCA-1 English
Page 17
§Shunt the two pins of the programming connection JP1 of the RCA-
1 and put the accesory detector into the programming mode.
§Restore the connections to the power supply, firstly to the detector
and afterwards to RCA-1. Be sure that only the detector to be
assigned a new address is connected to the RCA-1 / the power
supply.
§Immediately after having been connected to the power supply the
RCA-1 tranfers it´s address to the detector and by doing this
programs the detector to the same address. During the
programming process "SE" is shown in the display.
§Disconnect the detector and the RCA-1 from the power supply.
Remove the shunting from the programming connection´s pins JP1
of the RCA-1. Put the detector back into standard operation.

English RCA-1
Page 18
!
6. Operation
In the display, the data the detector is reading out is shown. As a rule
no leading zeros are displayed. In case the display shows a number
beginning with zero, an address between 10000 and 10239 is read out.
Display Meaning
---- No detector connected / assigned or no vehicle
decoder in the supervised rail section.
---- / flashes No RailCom cutout identified. The RailCom cutout is
supplied by the booster and is indispensible for
feeding back data with RailCom. That is the reason
why the booster supplying the respective rail section
has to be RailCom-compatible.
3Decoder address 3
0003 Decoder address 10003
C88 Consist address 88
c14 Value of a CV read out: 14. While receiving data the
"c" flashes twice. The value read out is displayed for
approx. 5 seconds, then the decoder address is
displayed again.
7. Check list for troubleshooting
§Parts are getting too hot and/or start to smoke.
Switch off the digital system immediately !
Possible cause: The display device is damaged. àPerform a visual
check and send in the PCB for repair if necessary.
§The display does not show data.
Possible cause: The display device and the detector have not been
programmed to the same address. àProgram the adresses of the
two devices anew. Make sure that only the detector to be

RCA-1 English
Page 19
programmed and the display device are connected to each other
during the programming process.
Possible cause: The connection A of the RCA-1 is connected to the
connection B of the detector (or the other way round).
àExchange the connections A and B on one of the devices.
Possible cause: The booster connected to the controlled rail section
is switched off or does not supply the RailCom cutout. àCheck
the booster.
Possible cause: The vehicle decoder in the supervised rail section
does not send a RailCom message, e.g. when in the corresponding
CV the RailCom function is set to off. àCheck the vehicle decoder.
Hotline: If problems with your module occur, our hotline is pleased to
help you. (address on the cover page).
8. CE and Warranty
Certification (CE)
This product is developed and tested in accordance with the European
standards EN 55014-1 and EN 61000-6-3. This product conforms with
the EC- directive 2004/108/EG on electromagnetic radiation and is
therefore CE certified.
To guarantee the electromagnetic tolerance in operation you must take
the following precautions:
§Connect the transformer only to an approved mains socket installed
by an authorised electrician.
§Make no changes to the original parts and accurately follow the
instructions, circuit diagram and PCB layout included with this
manual.
§Use only original spare parts if you have to repair the kit or the
ready-built module.