The Unitrack turnouts are easy to wire with stationary decoders or with a Lenz Accessory Module which can control either four or six Unitrack turnouts depending on which model you buy. I no longer think Lenz sells the LS 100/110 module which is the accessory decoder I bought to control Unitrack turnouts over nine years ago. The newer model is the LS-150. However i do think you can find the LS-100/110 as an after arket item.
The Digitrax DS51k1 will control one Unitrack turnout. (See Photo 1) The first thing that is done is to program the decoder. You wire the decoder to the track and turnout along with the programming wire. After the programming is complete, you connect the black and red wires to the track from the decoder and the other two wires from the DS51k1 are connected to the wiring from the turnout. The programming wire, remains disconnected after programming and remains "free". When the turnout is programmed, the turnout is given its own address, for example, # 4. Your DCC system must also be capable of giving out turnout addresses.So make sure that function is available on the DCC system that you buy. I know that the Lenz 100 system can store 256 individual turnout addresses on a layout. On the "New" JJJ&E that I'm now building there are 64 Unitrack turnouts on the layout.
Photo 1
The Digiitrax DS 51k1 can be mounted under the bench work below the corresponding turnout. The Digitrax DS 51k1 is small enough to be mounted inside the turnout. I don't recommend doing this if you have a permanent layout. If the decoder "fails", you'll have to remove the turnout from the bench work to get at the decoder. The instructions that come with the Digitrax Ds51k1 stationary decoder is straight forward and easy to understand.
NCE also makes a stationary decoder called a "Swith-Kat" (See Photo 2) which also controls one Unitrack turnout. It also can be wired to a Dwarf signal which tells whether the switch is open or closed. The "Switch-Kat" can be programmed and then wired in the same manner as the Digtrax DS51k1.
Photo 2You 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. To control a double crossover, use a Lenz Accessory Module (LS-150) (See Photo 3) which can control six turnouts. The Lenz LS-150 is powerful enough to power the four turnouts in the Kato double crossover. There is still room on the LS-150 module to control either five single Unitrack turnouts or five double crossovers. For about $8.00 per turnout you now have full DCC control of your Unitrack turnouts. The LS-150 controls six Unitrack turnouts.
Photo 3
I used the Lenz Accessory Module (LS-100/110)(See Photo 4) long before individual stationary decoders became available. The Lenz LS-100/110 could control up to four Unitrack turnouts.
Photo 4
The Lenz LS-100/110 is no longer available at Lenz USA but you may be able to find one at some DCC dealers.
Digitrax also makes a Decoder that can control two Unitrack turnouts. (Digitrax DS-52) See Photo 5. This board can be mounted under the bench work in a common accessible area.
Photo 5
The Digitrax DS-64 (See Photo 6) can control up to four Unitrack turnouts.
Photo 6
Unitrack Users have plenty of options when it comes time to make a decision about using DCC to control individual Unitrack turnouts.
Stay cool and run steam......