SwitchPilot 3 Servo decoders are optimised for stationary use on your layout and can control up to eight RC servo drives. In order to simplify the rather cumbersome configuration of magnetic article decoders, the SwitchPilot 3 Servo has an innovative operating concept consisting of a 4-line, illuminated OLED display and three input buttons.
Operating modes
The SwitchPilot 3 Servo is multi-protocol capable and can be used with Märklin® Motorola® system command stations (e.g. 6021, Central Station® or Mobile Station®) as well as DCC-capable command stations. The configuration can take place on the main track as well as on the programming track. Thanks to RailCom®, CVs can also be read out.
Functionality
The SwitchPilot 3 Servo can be powered either directly from the digital system or from an external DC or AC power source. The SwitchPilot 3 Servo has eight outputs for controlling RC servo drives. It can control these drives so precisely that, in addition to switching points, it can also be used to control any other slow motion sequences. The SwitchPilot 3 Servo has a built-in switch-on pulse suppression to eliminate or reduce the system-related "jerking" of RC servos when the supply voltage is applied. Furthermore, the power supply to the servo can be interrupted to prevent the "humming" of some low-priced servos. Each of the eight servos can be operated either in "digital mode" or in "proportional mode", introduced for the first time with the SwitchPilot 3 servo: In digital mode, the servo can move to two end positions "A" and "B", depending on the switch position on the control panel. The position of the two end positions as well as the speed at which the servo moves in the desired direction can be set individually on the SwitchPilot 3 servo. Digital mode is perfect for switching turnouts or signals that should always remain in a fixed position. In proportional mode, the servo can move in any position within the end positions "A" and "B" and also stop. The servo only runs as long as the control panel sends a command. If you release the button, the servo stops. In this way, you can stop a servo in any desired position. The servo speed can be set individually. Proportional mode is ideal for (water) cranes or locomotive shed gates or any other application that requires intermediate positions. For each servo, in addition to the end positions and the rotation speeds, it can be determined whether it should luff when reaching the end position. Furthermore, in order to adapt to the various RC servos available on the market, the generation of the servo pulse can be influenced or the voltage supply of each servo can be switched off individually. In this way, inexpensive so-called analogue servos as well as modern digital servos (with microcontroller) are optimally controlled.
Analogue operation
As a special feature, the SwitchPilot 3 servo can be used entirely without a digital control unit: If desired, up to 16 push-buttons can be connected for direct switching of the servos.
Setting
The SwitchPilot 3 Servo can be flexibly set either on the programming track with DCC command stations or on the main track with POM ("Programming on Main"), or it can also read out CVs by means of RailCom®. If desired, it also learns the addresses directly via a programming button. Of course, the easiest way to set up the decoder is with the integrated OLED display and the three input buttons: All (!) settings can be checked directly on the decoder and changed if desired. Programming" with the help of your control unit is not necessary. It really doesn't get any simpler than this. For firmware updates, the ESU LokProgrammer can be used.
Protection
As with our locomotive decoders, the outputs of the SwitchPilot 3 Servo are largely protected against overload. We want you to enjoy your decoder for as long as possible.