I'm using the buzzer circuit described on this site and have found that if you're using the Digitrax UP5 front panel connectors, the buzzer tells you there's a short. By disconnecting the UP5's I found that the resistance of the UP5 is about 50k ohms. That's exactly the resistance of the track when the UP5 is re-attached. I checked other UP5's not yet installed and found they too are 50k ohms. So, while I love the buzzer, I found that I should check for shorts in the track PRIOR to attaching any UP5's.

Is any one else able to supply any additional information?

Craig

-- Craig Williams (saltillo@ptd.net), March 27, 2004

Answers

Yes, the buzzer is very sensitive. You virtually need nothing attached to the track when using the buzzer. You can use the buzzer two ways. One is to clip it to the track being wired and disconnecting it just before you attach to the main bus or booster, and the other is the way you appear to be using it - having it hooked up in lieu of a booster. In the later case, you will need to disconnect your UP5's.

Is one way better than the other? No, not significantly. Using it instead of the booster like you are, keeps you from forgetting to move the buzzer as you work on the track or allows multiple people to work on wiring track simultaneously.

-- Allan Gartner (wire4dcc_admin@comcast.net), March 27, 2004.