UP7 LocoNet Universal Panel! Plug and Play Universal fascia panel

[John]

    Plug and Play Universal fascia panel supporting LocoNet.

    Two RJ12 front panel Throttle jacks.

    Three RJ12 rear pass-through LocoNet jacks

    Supports throttle charging.

    Fully connectorized installation.

    2mm rear plug for e.g. PS14 DC power supply.

    4-pin rear plug option to share DC power.

    Track Status LED.

    Updated design.
    Replaces UP5 LocoNet Universal Interconnect Panel.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

So what's new, besides the look?

[John]

So what's new, besides the look?

TL;DR

[sp org div]

Wasnt one of the rear up5 jacks a throttle jack (something was funny on that side jack)?
Now it sounds like all three are loconet.

[dnhouston]

UP5 has battery saver feature

UP7 has battery charger feature

[djconway]

The side port on the UP-5 is for a terminating device.  Haven't fully figured out what a terminating device is, may be a throttle.

[John]

The side port on the UP-5 is for a terminating device.  Haven't fully figured out what a terminating device is, may be a throttle.

https://dccwiki.com/LocoNet_Termination

LocoNet Termination

One device, usually a command station, functions as the master, providing LocoNet termination. The LocoNet is terminated when a current source is present on the LocoNet wires (3 & 4), which enables communication between devices. Without this current source communication would not be possible.

There can only be one device providing termination on the LocoNet.

Other devices which can function as a master include

    Digitrax:
        BDL series occupancy detectors
        PR3
        PR4
        PM42
        UP5: Must be powered, and only the front jacks can be used. A link must be installed, as per the instructions.

Third Party Devices

    RR-Cirkits
        LocoBuffer
        LocoNet Terminator
        SSB Gateway
    MGP
        LocoNet Terminator

DIY LocoNet Termination

It is possible to build your own LocoNet Termination device. What is required is a 12VDC power supply and a 15mA current source. The 12V supply is connected to the Rail Sync pair (Positive connection) while the ground wires are connected to the negative terminal. For LocoNet termination, a 15mA pull up termination is required on lines 3 & 4. This is done with a simple current source circuit.

For more details, see the RR-Cirkits Notebook.

A search of the web will also reveal numerous solutions.
Additional Resources

    Standalone LocoNet
    JMRI Standalone LocoNet Page
    MGP Terminator Loconet

[Ed Kapuscinski]

UP5 has battery saver feature

UP7 has battery charger feature

Thank you!

These recent Digitrax announcements have been annoying because they've been like car websites when you're trying to compare trims. JUST SHOW ME THE DIFFERENCES!

[mmyers]

Most if not all UP5's do not have any special components on the side jacks. The original plan was to make them similar to the front jacks but the actual production models have all six pins daisy chained from the two rear jacks to the side jack.
UP7 looks like it will allow for charging the new 6 series throttles and the components have been rearranged. There looks to be the addition of screw terminals to daisy chain auxiliary power to additional panels instead of having to solder a wire to that little solder hole on previous UP5 and UP3.
One little thing that appeals to me is Digitrax and I seem to share the same affinity for prime numbers. Not sure if that will make me buy them.

Martin Myers

[Maletrain]

The side port on the UP-5 is for a terminating device.  Haven't fully figured out what a terminating device is, may be a throttle.

I don't think the side jack is limited to a "terminating device" in the sense that it needs to have a capacitor and resistor that bridge the signal carrying wires, such as we are supposed to use for long DCC track circuits.  The manual I have for UP5s says that the side jack is for devices that will not be further daisy chained.  So I have a UR93 in one and an LNWI in another, both on the short pieces of cable provided with those units.  Both work properly when connected that way.

The principle seems to be that the LocoNet (and the NCE cab bus) should be single paths, with short branches no longer than the cables used for tethered throttles and such.  Longer branches, star configurations, loops, etc. are supposedly capable of causing reflections of the LocoNet signal that can corrupt the info that is being transmitted.