Dinamo

[ prev topic | next topic ]

Addressing UCCI/s and SWDEC connected reed switches in an MCC car system

Posted by garry.andrew@sky.com on 2026-09-06 19:51

Hi,
I have a network consisting 1 x RM-U, 1 x UCCI/s (rev. 10), 7 x TM44s and 3 x OC32s. This arrangement has been in use successfully for a number of years providing power and functionality to a railway running both analogue and digital locomotives and controlled using iTrain Plus, currently version 5.1.19. The interface in use is "Dinamo (RM-x)".
I am in the process of adding a road system using MCC decoded vehicles. I have wired 16 reed switches through 2 x SWdec boards (shifting the jumper on the second SWdec to the second position), joined these boards with a 16 core ribbon cable and attached this cable through a 26 pin connector to the UCCI/s.
Testing a vehicle, both green LEDs are illuminated at the signal wire connector on the UCCI/s. I am getting controlled motion and functionality of the vehicle through iTrain but no visual indication of the sensors responding. I have tried holding a large magnet over a sensor. I can hear a click, but see no visual indication of a change of state on the iTrain switchboard. Placing a multi-meter across the relevant terminals on the SWdec then passing a magnet over the reed switch does produce a noticeable reaction on the multi-meter.
The UCCI is recognised in Dinamo Config (v 1.41) at module position #15. I have therefore entered addresses 15.1 through 15.16 in the relevant feedback fields in iTrain. Is this correct? Are there any set up details for the UCCI/s I might have overlooked?
Any advice will be gratefully received. Thankyou.

Reads: 0

Link

Posted by Leon van Perlo on 2026-09-07 11:50 Netherlands

Hi Garry,
I think the feedbacks work ok, you just need the right addresses.
First thing you could do is use the program DinamoNewConfig. After you connect select tab "control" and click "open feedback monitor". Choose "grouping" 128/128 and base "address" 1920. You should now see the feedbacks.
In iTrain the first TMxx address is 1, so the last one should be 16 (not 15). However, it depends on the grouping settings you have made in iTrain. I'm not sure, but if you optimized for TM44, it may be that you see only 16 feedbacks per module, which might be just enough in this case, but not when you expand in the future.
Kind regards, Leon

Link

Posted by garry.andrew@sky.com on 2026-09-07 19:29

Dear Leon,
Thank you for your prompt and helpful response. You have enabled me to solve my problem. Following your advice, I downloaded the DinamoNewConfig software. This showed me all the "active" feedbacks for my railway layout i.e. those attached to the TM44s (and "active" with a train in the feedback area) but when looking at base 1920, there was still nothing showing. I could not believe that there was going to be a fault with the UCCI, so I reasoned the UCCI was not seeing the SWdec modules. I examined the ribbon cable and was concerned that the 26 pin connector had not been crimped adequately and thus not penetrating the internal wires. I sorted this potential issue and put everything back together again. When testing with the DinamoNewConfig software, I again saw nothing under base 1920, however I reasoned that the reed switch had to be "active" to show up. So I held a large magnet over one of the feedbacks and location 1933 lit up! I knew that I had allocated an address of 15.14 to this feedback but I was able to calculate that location 1933 was the location of address 16.14 and this of course confirmed your advice that iTrain started numbering at 1 rather than 0 and since my UCCI was registering at #15 in DinamoConfig I should have added the extra 1 to all my addresses. Having done this, I am now seeing the feedback illuminated on the iTrain switchboard when the feedback is activated. At present, the lorry I am using as a test vehicle appears to have too small a magnet on the steering bar to activate the reed switches (positioned vertically under a magnetic guide strip) however I suspect a larger magnet either on the steering bar or under the vehicle body will resolve that issue.
I am most grateful for your assistance.
Thankyou once again
Andrew

Link

Posted by Leon van Perlo on 2026-09-07 12:09 Netherlands

DinamoNewConfig can be downloaded here: https://dinamobesturing.nl/en/downloads/

Link

Posted by Leon van Perlo on 2026-09-08 09:43 Netherlands

Hi Andrew,
Glad you solved the (main) problem.
FYI: You can also use DinamoNewConfig to test your cars and configure the MCCdec decoders.
Sensitivity: If you have installed the reed-contacts vertically under de magnetic strip (as is recommended), you should be able to push them up towards the magnetic strip until they close. Then pull back just until they open. The reed-contacts are the "pre-charged" with magnetism from the strip for maximum sensitivity.
If you plan to build a larger layout or are still in the build-up/testing phase, you may consider to switch to the SHdec and Hall-sensors. It's somewhat more expensive, but the SHdec/Hall-sensor solution is very sensitive and works with nearly every standard steering magnet.
Best regards, Leon

Link

Dinamo

Menu