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Cobalt
Alpha - the core of the range:
control panel design and creation, greatly reduces the complexity of layout wiring and most importantly, allows both DC &
DCC users to simplify control panel creation and easily add a digital accessory control bus.
By the
way - while we have created Alpha
simpler, traditional modellers do not have to change to use it! Cobalt
its control input, from Cobalt-S levers to push-button switches, "Stud & probe" ...and even diode matrix connections!
Cobalt
Switch and Accessories:
"soldering-free" control panels with unprecedented wiring simplicity. We are certain that every modeller can install Alpha
Switch as its all "plug and Play" - the wiring equivalent of building with Lego! Once you've created your panel the rest is easy
too, as adding the Cobalt
Alpha control unit then reduces the need for "panel to layout" wiring to a single plug-in cable!
Cobalt
Box:
Created to provide a versatile and almost totally "DCC brand independent" link between control panel,
control system and operations, the super-versatile Cobalt
Cobalt
Box is many things and it does all of them well: It is the perfect power source for a DC modellers "Digital Accessory
power bus" and the perfect interface between Cobalt
It is a carefully crafted, conservatively rated 5-amp power booster with an on-off switch (most don't have one!) and it has
sophisticated overload protection that gives both visual and audible warning of overload or short circuit.
In concert with Cobalt
Alpha, the Cobalt
the most basic of starter-sets and also enhances the system power and control versatility of full DCC systems of all brands.
Used alone Cobalt
Box is a versatile upgrade for every brand of DCC system -adding full 5amp power and system growth
potential to basic low power "Train-set" systems, intermediate "Starter sets" or state of the art DCC-digital control systems.
Cobalt
Power:
This is a high quality 5 amp regulated DC power supply with overload protection. As you know, a
power supply that is properly matched to the systems it supplies is essential for achieving the best possible performance with
digital devices, so while design-matched to Cobalt
3, 4, 5
Introducing Cobalt Alpha Box, Cobalt Alpha Central, Cobalt Alpha & Cobalt Alpha Power: (Overview, connection details)
6
The "Unique control panel creator" option: Cobalt Alpha, plus Alpha-Switch etc. (With guide to connections and features)
7
Operating instructions for Alpha products. What the switches, buttons and other things do and when to use them!
Especially for DC users who do not want to use DCC to drive their trains.
8
Diagram 1 – General overview of ALPHA installations for DC users. Digital for DC!. Making wiring easier for DC users
Especially for DCC users who have entry-level DCC-Starter sets.
9
Diagram 2 – Alpha + Alpha Box – adding an ALPHA digital accessory bus AND connecting multiple ALPHA products
10, 11
Diagram 3 &4 Alpha + Alpha Box – Overview - Simple system upgrade or full system expansion for ANY brand!
12
Diagram 5 – Alpha + Alpha Box – Detailed connection diagram for users of Bachmann EZ command DCC.
13
Diagram 6 – Alpha + Alpha Box – Detailed connection diagram for users of Hornby Select, Elite or E-Link DCC.
14
Diagram 7 – Alpha + Alpha Box – Detailed connection diagram for users of Gaugemaster (MRC) Prodigy Express.
Especially for DCC users who have full-feature DCC starter sets or larger DCC systems.
15
Diagram 8 – Alpha + Alpha Box – Add ALPHA Accessory control, protection and more power to NCE Power Cab.
16
Diagram 9 – Alpha + Alpha Box – Add ALPHA Accessory control, protection and more power to NCE Power Pro.
17
Diagram 10 – Alpha + Alpha Box – Add ALPHA Accessory control, protection and full power to LENZ systems.
18
Diagram 11 – Alpha + Alpha Box – Add ALPHA Accessory control, protection and full power to DIGITRAX systems.
19
Diagram 12 - Alpha + Alpha Box – Add ALPHA Accessory control, protection and full power to ESU EcOS.
20
Diagram 13 - Alpha + Alpha Box – Add ALPHA Accessory control, protection and full power to ROCO MAUS systems.
21
Diagram 14 - Alpha + Alpha Box – Add ALPHA Accessory control, protection and full power to Z21 systems.
22
Diagram 15 - Alpha + Alpha Box – Add ALPHA Accessory control, protection and full power to GM Prodigy systems.
23
Diagram 16 - Marrying tradition and Digital – using Alpha with Cobalt-S Levers.
Additional information.
24, 25
Tutorial
- Building a control panel with ALPHA Switch. (Full photo-story, step by step)
26 to 29
Range info - Essential Alpha Accessory items. (Brand Interface adapters, Accessories, Control & Power devices)
30 to 32
Notes pages plus warranty and contact Information.
Need information or help?
The Cobalt
Cobalt
Switch as a companion product to make control panel creation quicker and
These are the key to elegant yet very quick, easy to create, almost totally
Alpha and any DCC Digital Accessory power bus.
Box is able to add high power and digital accessory control abilities to even
Alpha and
Cobalt
Alpha manual - Table of Contents
Visit www.dccconcepts.com/manuals-advice OR email advice@dccconcepts.com
Alpha Range
Alpha evolved from a desire to make the wiring of layouts easier
Alpha accepts ANY form of momentary switching as
Box is the real key to seamless integration of the entire range.
Box, it's also a great choice for any 5 amp DCCsystem!
page 2

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Summary of Contents for DCCconcepts Cobalt Alpha Series

  • Page 1 - Building a control panel with ALPHA Switch. (Full photo-story, step by step) 26 to 29 Range info - Essential Alpha Accessory items. (Brand Interface adapters, Accessories, Control & Power devices) 30 to 32 Notes pages plus warranty and contact Information. Need information or help? Visit www.dccconcepts.com/manuals-advice OR email advice@dccconcepts.com...
  • Page 2 page 3 Cobalt Box - the smartest booster available: Overload reset Switch (hold for 3 seconds) Cobalt Box is an intelligent 5-amp power booster with System On-Off Switch Main power-on LED excllent connection versatility and inter-brand operation. Conceived to provide DC modellers with a digital accessory power bus &...
  • Page 3 Central directly OR add the Cobalt box to also increase output to 5 amps. NCE Power Pro users can just connect it to their system to add a 5 amp Accessory bus. Need information or help? Visit www.dccconcepts.com/manuals-advice OR email advice@dccconcepts.com...
  • Page 4 page 5 Overload reset Switch (hold for 3 seconds) Mains Power ON-OFF switch Power-on LED Regulated DC 18v output Cobalt Power - Smooth well regulated power for perfect performance! Its not commonly understood, but even those digital systems that show the use of AC power supplies in the manual actually run on DC internally...
  • Page 5 Alpha Switch-D Circuit board. (it is just as easy as assembling LEGO really - you cannot get it wrong) Step 5: Using DCCconcepts DCD-RGB 3-wire ribbon cable, Connect Cobalt Alpha to Alpha connect each output of the Alpha...
  • Page 6 When you reach the number more than 4 Alpha in series. Use a 12v DC The Switching addresses of all linked units are now set. regulated Power Supply Need information or help? Visit www.dccconcepts.com/manuals-advice OR email advice@dccconcepts.com...
  • Page 7 STEP 3 - Create a DCC “Accessory Power Bus” STEP 4 - Connect Digital Accessory decoders to the “Accessory Power Bus” and enjoy the the need to convert your Locomotives to DCC! Need information or help? Visit www.dccconcepts.com/manuals-advice OR email advice@dccconcepts.com...
  • Page 8 page 9 & Create elegant control panels with only ONE cable needed for layout connection! Of course, many layouts will need multiple Cobalt Alpha or Cobalt Central, all together or distributed around the layout, in order to control MANY Accessories. This is a simple process..You can choose how its done.
  • Page 9 page 10 The easiest possible “Power & Performance” upgrade for every DCC system! & P f ” If you own a basic DCC system that came in the box with a “Train-Set” or perhaps purchased a basic low cost system to try out DCC operation - such as the easy-to-use but basic Bachmann EZ Command, Hornby Select or E-Link or Roco MAUS etc...
  • Page 10 BRAND ADAPTER See P26~28 Alpha Power 5-Amp Power Supply 15~18v DC DCCconcepts 6-wire RJ12 lead Isolation Hand Set BRAND ADAPTER See P26~28 Alpha Power 5-Amp Power Supply 15~18v DC Power District #2 Need information or help? Visit www.dccconcepts.com/manuals-advice OR email advice@dccconcepts.com...
  • Page 11 5 amps track power, with Cobalt Alpha full overload protection..and you have easy to use Central Alpha “Digital Accessory Control” too! Need information or help? Visit www.dccconcepts.com/manuals-advice OR email advice@dccconcepts.com...
  • Page 12 page 13 Upgrading Hornby Elite, Select, E-Link Select and E-link are often found in “Digital Train-sets” and the Elite has been adopted by many Hornby oriented modellers, however accessory control can be clumsy and the overall output power is quite limited, particularly with Select and E-link. Fortunately for those who like using these products it is VERY easy to upgrade the low power output with Cobalt and for those who want a more convenient “single push control”...
  • Page 13 Control bus using Cobalt Alpha the RJ45 sockets then you can. Please use the advice on Page 22 for Gaugemaster Prodigy. Alpha Central Need information or help? Visit www.dccconcepts.com/manuals-advice OR email advice@dccconcepts.com...
  • Page 14 PowerCab uses the same wiring as Cobalt , we can be more adventurous and really make something special with the NCE PowerCab + Cobalt combination! All “Curly Cords” DCCconcepts are 6-wire RJ12 # DCD-ACL This is Alpha This is...
  • Page 15 As with PowerCab, the similar Bus wiring allows integration with no adapter leads - however using the correct leads DOES matter. Please use ONLY 6-wire DCD-ACL Curly Cords as supplied with Alpha units by DCCconcepts as links between Alpha Box units and for Alpha Central, or some of the features may not be...
  • Page 16 LENZ DIN PLUG LENZ Connect TRACK power Power District #1 Base Station Connect DCC BUS ADAPTER Switch Set to TRACK See P26~27 DCCconcepts 6-wire RJ12 lead Alpha Power 5-Amp Power Isolation Supply 15~18v DC LENZ DIN SOCKET Hand Set ADAPTER See P26~27...
  • Page 17 In some cases, the images used in this manual are of prototype or pre-production units and may vary slightly in appearance Need information or help? Visit www.dccconcepts.com/manuals-advice OR email advice@dccconcepts.com from those actually on sale. However in all cases all of the connections and diagrams are identical and the information given is correct.
  • Page 18 You can also Y-connect the bus This is so that ECoS can supply direct Alpha track power AND still link to the Alpha Box track power input! DCCconcepts 6-wire RJ12 lead Also connect either Cobalt Alpha or This is Alpha Central.
  • Page 19 ROCO users can connect via X-bus and so actually have the same sort of versatility with ALPHA products as Lenz, as the LENZ & ROCO bus are actually very similar. Use the correct adapter leads, and there really is NO limit to what is possible with ROCO and DCCconcepts Alpha Products! (see page 26~27).
  • Page 20 ROCO users can connect via X-bus and so actually have the same sort of versatility with ALPHA products as Lenz, as the LENZ & ROCO bus are actually very similar. Use the correct adapter leads, and there really is NO limit to what is possible with ROCO and DCCconcepts Alpha Products! (see page 26~27).
  • Page 21 While basically an RS485 bus similar to Lenz or NCE, The makers of Prodigy n RS485 bus similar to Lenz or and the Prodigy Express use RJ45 connections - however DCCconcepts have created adapter 5 connections - however DCCco leads for use with these products.
  • Page 22 2-lever operations work reliably. No matter how you wire The Cobalt-S levers, utilising Cobalt Alpha in the control panel will mean at least 36 less wires between panel and layout! Need information or help? Visit www.dccconcepts.com/manuals-advice OR email advice@dccconcepts.com...
  • Page 23 System connection may require accessories such as connection panels, leads and additional cables. While the various DCC brands may supply some of them, DCCconcepts also offer a range of unique items properly designed for Cobalt Alpha products. Additionally, some items that are useful for other brands are unique, such as the convenient 6-wire curly cord for the NCE PowerCab and the very useful, versatile 3-connection Alpha-Panel which is equally usable for NCE PowerCab or Power Pro systems.
  • Page 24 page 27 Cobalt Alpha and Cobalt (DCC System Adapter leads) Cobalt box interfaces with EVERY DCC BRAND using only the track outputs of your DCC system, Cobalt however if you want to integrate box into the control bus, you will need some adapter leads. There are TWO types of lead, one for the DCC system control box interface and one for the addition of Handsets and related items such as “Connection panels”.
  • Page 25 Cobalt Alpha DCCconcepts is a digital encoder that turns any form of switch into a digital device, making it possible to create control panels with much simpler wiring... in most cases, even complex panels need only a single cable to connect to the layout!

This manual is also suitable for:

Cobalt alpha boxCobalt alpha centralCobalt alpha powerCobalt alpha