tams elektronik RC-Link User manual
Manual
RC-Link
Item no. 45-02257 | 45-02267
RailCom PC Interface
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Table of contents
1. Gettin started ...........................................................................3
2. Safety instructions.......................................................................5
3. Back round information: RailCom................................................6
4. Operatin mode of the RC-Link....................................................8
5. Technical specifications..............................................................10
6. Connections and funcitonal tests................................................11
7. Pro rammin the detectors´ addresses......................................15
8. Check list for troubleshootin .....................................................16
9. Guarantee bond........................................................................18
10. EU declaration of conformity......................................................19
11. Declarations conformin to the WEEE directive...........................19
© 07/2013 Tams Elektronik GmbH
All ri hts reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
includin photocopyin , without prior permission in writin from Tams
Elektronik GmbH.
Subject to technical modification.
Remark: RailCom® is the re istered trademark of the Lenz Elektronik
GmbH, Hüttenber straße 29, D-35398 Gießen. To increase the text´s
readability we have refrained from referin to this point in each
instance.
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1. Gettin started
How to use this manual
This manual ives step-by-step instructions for safe and correct
connectin of the device, and operation. Before you start, we advise
you to read the whole manual, particularly the chapter on safety
instructions and the checklist for trouble shootin . You will then know
where to take care and how to prevent mistakes which take a lot of
effort to correct.
Keep this manual safely so that you can solve problems in the future. If
you pass the device on to another person, please pass on the manual
with it.
Intended use
The PC interface RC-Link is desi ned to be operated accordin to the
instructions in this manual with di ital model railways. Any other use is
inappropriate and invalidates any uarantees.
The RC-Link should not be mounted by children under the a e of 14.
Readin , understandin and followin the instructions in this manual
are mandatory for the user.
Checking the package contents
Please make sure that your packa e contains:
one RC-Link with USB interface and one USB cable (len th: 5,00 m)
(item no. 45-02257) or
one RC-Link with V.24 interface and one V.24 cable (len th: 5,00 m)
(item no. 45-02267);
one jumper (short circuit plu );
a CD (containin the manual, softwre and further information).
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Required materials
In order to connect the device you need wire. Recommend diameters:
data bus: > 0,1 mm². It is recommended to use twin wire (e. . LiYz,
2x0,19 mm², red-brown, item no. 73-30037);
connections to the interface´s power supply: > 0,25 mm².
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2. Safety instructions
Mechanical hazards
Cut wires can have sharp ends and can cause serious injuries. Watch
out for sharp ed es when you pick up the PCB.
Visibly dama ed parts can cause unpredictable dan er. Do not use
dama ed parts: recycle and replace them with new ones.
Electrical hazards
Touchin powered, live components,
touchin conductin components which are live due to malfunction,
short circuits and connectin the circuit to another volta e than
specified,
impermissibly hi h humidity and condensation build up
can cause serious injury due to electrical shock. Take the followin
precautions to prevent this dan er:
Never perform wirin on a powered module.
Mountin the device should only be done in closed, clean, dry rooms.
Beware of humidity.
Only use low power for this module as described in this manual and
only use certified transformers.
Connect transformers only in approved mains sockets installed by an
authorised electrician.
Observe cable diameter requirements.
After condensation build up, allow a minimum of 2 hours for
dispersion.
Use only ori inal spare parts if you have to repair the kit or the
ready-built module.
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3. Back round information: RailCom
Feedback with RailCom
RailCom is a standard for bi-directional communication in di ital model
railway layouts controlled in DCC-format. It allows e. . the feedback of
the address and the CV values from RailCom decoders to the di ital
control unit or to special receivers (so-called detectors).
To transfer the RailCom messa es special RailCom boosters supplyin
the so-called RailCom cutout have to be used.
Data trans er between RailCom components
The RailCom standard is the basis of the communication between
RailCom compatible decoders and RailCom detectors, which allows you
to use detectors and decoders of different manufacturers to ether. On
the other hand, a manufacturer specific data bus is used to
communicate between detectors, display devices and PC interfaces.
That is the reason why the use of detectors, display devices and PC
interfaces of one manufacturer is mandatory.
The data bus used by Tams Elektronik for the communication between
detectors, display devices and PC interfaces allows you
to control up to 24 separate track sections and
to connect up to 32 RailCom devices (detectors RCD-1, RCD-2 or
RC-D-8, display devices RCA-1 or RCA-24, PC interfaces RC-Link).
In order to assi n the detectors, display devices and PC interfaces to
each other, they et addresses between 1 and 24.
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Example or the data trans er in the Tams speci ic data bus
There are five different detectors connected to the data bus, all
to ether controllin 13 separate track sections. In order to display
and exploit the data there are used:
four sin le display devices RCA-1 displayin the data from one
section each,
one 24-fold display device RCA-24, displayin the data from all 13
track sections,
one RailCom PC interface RC-Link.
Bus line
For technical reasons, there are two wires with a diameter of minimum
0,10 mm² mandatory as a bus line for the communication between
detectors, display devices and PC interfaces (lines A and B). In order to
minimise the vulnerability towards disturbances from other cables, the
two wires should be twisted. It is recommended to use twin wire (e. .
LiYz, 2x0,19 mm², red-brown, item no. 73-30037)
The bus line has to be looped throu h from one to the other device.
When connectin them the lines A and B always have to be assi ned to
the correspondin connection points A and B of the devices.
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4. Operatin mode of the RC-Link
Trans erring RailCom messages to the PC
The RC-Link transfers the feedback si nals from a maximum of 24 local
RailCom detectors (e. . RCD-1, RCD-2 or RCD-8) to the PC. These
RailCom messa es refer clearly to a particular detector (or track
section) as the detectors are identified by addresses.
Most PC pro rams for model railroadin support feedback by RailCom.
Dependin on the features the PC software is providin the incomin
messa es are displayed on the PC monitor or are used as a basis for
the automatic control of operatin schedules, for example.
Trans erring busy signals to the PC
Many RailCom detectors are desi ned to detect loads in the supervised
rail section not sendin a RailCom si nal, as well. The RC-Link also
transfers these pure busy si nals to the PC.
Per ormance at a breakdown o the track voltage
When a breakdown of the track volta e occurs (e. . after an automatic
cut-off of the track volta e after a short circuit), the detectors cannot
read out and transfer RailCom messa es or busy si nals to the RC-Link.
If the RC-Link would transfer the messa e "track section is disen a ed"
to the PC in this case, failures in operational procedures and accidents
could occur.
In order to meet with this problem, the RC-Link checks via a port for
the connection to the rails if a track volta e is applied. Only when a
track volta e is applied, current disen a ed reports are transferred to
the PC. In case the track volta e breaks down, the (in most cases) false
disen a ed reports are suppressed and the RailCom messa es last
received before the volta e breakdown are saved.
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With certain constellations (e. . when the detectors are located in
different booster sections reactin in varied ways to short circuit
messa es) suppressin the disen a ed reports at a volta e break down
can be unnecessary or disturbin . When performin functional tests
connectin the RC-Link to the rails may involve a hi h effort.
For that reasons it is possible to do without connectin the RC-Link to
the rails as well. With an open track port (and thus supposed broken
down track volta e) the RC-Link however supresses the transfer of
disen a ed reports, which is unwelcome in this constellation. That is
why in this case a track volta e bein applied has to be simulated by
shuntin a connection on the module with a jumper.
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5. Technical specifications
Attention: As a power supply for the RC-Link you should not use the
transformer supplyin the di ital control. If possible you should use a
separate transformer supplyin only the RailCom components on your
layout.
Supply volta e 12 - 18 Volt Gleich- oder
Wechselspannun
Di ital format DCC
Feedback lo RailCom
Current consumption approx. 20 mA
Protected to IP 00
Ambient temperature in use 0 ... +60 °C
Ambient temperature in stora e -10 ... +80 °C
Comparative humidity allowed max. 85 %
Dimensions includin housin (approx.) 100 x 90 x 35 mm
Wei ht includin housin (approx. )
RC-Link with USB interface
RC-Link with V.24 interface
100
108
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6. Connections and funcitonal tests
Fi . 2: Connection RC-Link with USB interface.
Fi . 3: Connection RC-Link with V.24 interface.
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RC-Link Connection to
USB | V.24 PC (via USB or V.24 interface)
~/+ Volta e supply.
With d.c. transformers: +
~/- Volta e supply.
With d.c. transformers: -
A Tams specific RailCom bus line A
B Tams specific RailCom bus line B
D1 and D2 Rails. At a break down of the track volta e
disen a ed reports are suppressed. Or:
JP1 Jumper onto JP1 (version with USB-port) or
JP2 Jumper onto JP2 (version with V24-port).
It is recommended to make the connections and functional tests step-
by-step accordin to the manual.
Step 1: Connection to the PC
Connect the RC-Link to the PC with the USB or V.24 cable enclosed in
the packa e.
Step 2: Connecting the power supply
Attention: As a power supply for the RC-Link you should not use
the transformer supplyin the di ital control. If possible you should use
a separate transformer supplyin only the RailCom components on your
layout.
If you use a d.c. transformer for the power supply of the RC-Link, you
have to re ard the polarity when connectin it, if usin an a.c.
transformer the polarity is of no importance. If you supply several
RailCom components by one a.c. transformer you have to be careful to
connect all devices with the same polarity.
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Attention: If you supply several RailCom components by one
a.c. transformer, the connections of all devices have to be polarized in
the same way. Otherwise a short circuit will occur which possibly can
dama e the connected devices.
Step 3: Functional test (part 1)
Start the pro ram "RC-PC" – either directly from the included CD or
after havin copied it on to the hard disk of your PC from the PC – and
click to the field "Sys-Info". The numbers of the software and the
hardware version of the RC-Link are shown on the monitor. This shows
you the communication between PC and RC-Link is workin .
Fi . 4: Screen layout after startin the pro ram
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Step 4: Connecting local RailCom detectors
You can assi n a maximum of 24 detectors (e. . RCD-1, RCD-2 or RCD-
8) to the RC-Link. As the data transfer between the detectors on the
one side and the display devices and PC interfaces on the other side is
run on a Tams specific data bus, you cannot connect devices from
other manufacturers to the data bus.
Loop throu h the bus lines A and B from one device to the other. When
connectin the lines A and B always be sure to assi n them to the
correspondin connection points A and B of the devices.
For the functional test part 2 it is sufficient to connect one RailCom
detector to the RC-Link.
Step 5: Functional test (part 2)
Plu -in the included jumper to JP1 (when usin a version with USB
port) or JP2 (when usin a version with V.24 port).
Then drive a locomotive with RailCom capable decoder into the track
section connected via a detector to the RC-Link. The locomotive´s
address should be shown on the PC monitor in the particular track
section.
Next drive the locomotive out of the supervised section. The section
should be displayed as "disen a ed" on the monitor.
Step 6: Connection to the rails
In order to suppress – possibly false – disen a ed reports when a
break down of the track volta e occurs, you have to connect the RC-
Link to the rails.
In case you do not want to suppress disen a ed reports at a track
volta e break down, you can do without connectin the RC-Link to the
rails. This can be of advanta e e. . with layouts where the RailCom
detectors have been placed in different booster sections with varied
short circuit switchin -off. In order to simulate an applied track section
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when doin without a connection to the RC-Link to the rails, you have
to plu -in the included jumper:
version with USB-port: JP1
version with V24-port: JP2
In case the jumper has not been plu ed-in, the RC-Link suppresses
the transfer of disen a ed reports.
7. Pro rammin the detectors´ addresses
You can use the PC to pro ram the addresses of the connected
detectors (no. 1 to 24) via the RC-Link. You need a special software for
that (e. . PC-RC on the included CD). Proceed as follows:
Put the detector you intend to pro ram into the pro rammin mode
as described in the detector´s manual.
Start the software and proceed accordin the instructions.
Finish the pro rammin mode for the detector as described in its
manual.
In order to pro ram the addresses of further detectors, repeat the
described procedure.
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8. Check list for troubleshootin
Parts are ettin too hot and/or start to smoke.
Disconnect the system from the mains immediately!
Possible cause: The device is defective. à Return the device for
check.
The PC monitor does not show data.
Possible cause: The connection between the RC-Link and the PC is
interrupted. à Check the connection.
Possible cause: The power supply of the RC-Link is interrupted (and
the LED on the device does not li ht). à Check the connection to
the power supply.
Possible cause: When installin the software another interface has
been choosen other than the one connected with the RC-Link. à If
necessary alter the interface at the PC.
Possible cause: The connection A of the RC-Link is connected to the
connection B of the detector (or the other way round). à Exchan e
the connections A and B at one of the devices.
Possible cause: The booster connected to the controlled rail section
is switched off or does not supply the RailCom cutout. à Check the
booster.
Possible cause: The vehicle decoder in the supervised rail section
does not send a RailCom messa e, e. . when in the correspondin
CV the RailCom function is set to off. à Check the vehicle decoder.
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Hotline: If problems with your module occur, our hotline is pleased to
help you (mail address on the last pa e).
Repairs: You can send in a defective module for repair (address on the
last pa e). In case of uarantee the repair is free of char e for you.
With dama es not covered by uarantee, the maximum fee for the
repair is 50 % of the sales price accordin to our valid price list. We
reserve the ri ht to reject the repairin of a module when the repair is
impossible for technical or economic reasons.
Please do not send in modules for repair char ed to us. In case of
warranty we will reimburse the forwardin expenses up to the flat rate
we char e accordin to our valid price list for the delivery of the
product. With repairs not covered by uarantee you have to bear the
expenses for sendin back and forth.
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9. Guarantee bond
For this product we issue voluntarily a uarantee of 2 years from the
date of purchase by the first customer, but in maximum 3 years after
the end of series production. The first customer is the consumer first
purchasin the product from us, a dealer or another natural or juristic
person resellin or mountin the product on the basis of self-
employment. The uarantee exists supplementary to the le al warranty
of merchantability due to the consumer by the seller.
The warranty includes the free correction of faults which can be proved
to be due to material failure or factory flaw. With kits we uarantee
the completeness and quality of the components as well as the function
of the parts accordin to the parameters in not mounted state. We
uarantee the adherence to the technical specifications when the kit
has been assembled and the ready-built circuit connected accordin to
the manual and when start and mode of operation follow the
instructions.
We retain the ri ht to repair, make improvements, to deliver spares or
to return the purchase price. Other claims are excluded. Claims for
secondary dama es or product liability consist only accordin to le al
requirements.
Condition for this uarantee to be valid, is the adherence to the
manual. In addition, the uarantee claim is excluded in the followin
cases:
if arbitrary chan es in the circuit are made,
if repair attempts have failed with a ready-built module or device,
if dama ed by other persons,
if dama ed by faulty operation or by careless use or abuse.
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10. EU declaration of conformity
This product conforms with the EC-directives mentioned below
and is therefore CE certified.
2004/108/EG on electroma netic. Underlyin standards: EN 55014-1
and EN 61000-6-3. To uarantee the electroma netic tolerance in
operation you must take the followin precautions:
Connect the transformer only to an approved mains socket installed
by an authorised electrician.
Make no chan es to the ori inal parts and accurately follow the
instructions, connection dia rams and PCB layout included with this
manual.
Use only ori inal spare parts for repairs.
2011/65/EG on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous
substances in electrical and electronic equipment (ROHS). Underlyin
standard: EN 50581.
11. Declarations conformin to the WEEE directive
This product conforms with the EC-directive 2012/19/EG on waste
electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
The Tams Elektronik GmbH is re istered with the WEEE-no.
DE 37847206, accordin to. § 6 sect. 2 of the German
electro re ulations from the responsible authority for the
disposal of used electro equipment.
Don´t dispose of this product in the house refuse, brin it to the next
recyclin bay.
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