Wiring Unitrack Turnouts To Stationary Decoders Or Lenz Accessory Modules

---

The Unitrack turnouts are easy to wire with stationary decoders or with a Lenx accessory module which can control four turnouts or six turnouts depending on the model. I no longer think Lenz sells the LS-100/110 modules which are the accessory module I bought over nine years ago. the newer module is the LS-150.

The Digitrax DS51k1 will control 1 Unitrack turnout. The first thing that is done is to program the Decoder with the wiring from the turnout and track. After the programming is done you connect the black and red wires to the track from the decoder and the other two wires from the stationary decoder are connected the wiring from the turnout. The programming wire , disconnected after programming the decoder remains "free'

The Digitrax DS 51k1 decoders will be mounted under the bench work below the corresponding turnout they control. The instructions that come with the Digitrax DS 51k1 stationary decoder is straight forward

NCE also makes a stationary decoder called a Switch-Kat which controls one Unitrack turnout. It has to be programmed and then wired in the same manner as the Digitrax51k1.

You cannot use the Digitrax DS51k1 to control the Kato double crossover, because the double crossover consumes too much momentary power when all four turnouts are switched which is the only way the double crossover works. For the double crossover, use a Lenz accessory module which can control six turnouts. However the Lenz module is strong enough to power the double crossover on one of its six outputs. There is still room on the Lenz module to control either five other single Unitrack turnouts or five more individual double crossovers.

I used the Lenz accessory module long before I used stationary decoders. The newer Lenz modules can now control six turnouts. It is an LS-150.

Photo # 1 Lenz LS150

For about $8 per turnout you can now have full DCC control of your layout's switch machines!
Introducing the DIGITAL plus by Lenz LS150 turnout decoder, designed for cost effective turnout control for up to 6 independent turnouts.

Specifications include:

*For control of any combination of 6 Atlas, Bachman, Kato, LGB, Peco, Tortoise, or other popular brands of twin-coil snap action or motorized switch machines.


I used the Lenz LS 100/110 on the "original" JJJ&E pictured below. It can control four turnouts.

Photo  #  2  Lenz LS100/110

You can also use a Digitrax DS-64 to control four individual turnouts and a Unitrack double crossover. I've used the Digitrax DS-64 and the Digitrax DS-52 to control individual switches/turnouts and double crossovers. The Unitrack double crossover ( four individual switches ) can be wired to one terminal of a Digitrax DS-64 or Digitrax DS-52.

Photo  # 3  Digitrax DS-64