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The Hare™ - More Features Incorporated

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If you have purchased the popular Hare PnP stationery decoder after June 1st of this year, there are several new unannounced features that have been incorporated. The same features are also offered in the Wabbit, a non plug-in dual output version of the Hare.

A complete updated manual for the HARE detailing the new features is here.

1) Auto Throw Timer: Provides for timing the auto throw function to prevent two trains from colliding.

CV67 Auto Throw Timer allows you to set a variable time after an auto throw event during which the auto throw function is inhibited. This feature is designed for situations in which a train could bridge two auto throw trigger sections (or an approaching train could move the points under a train already occupying the switch). The first auto throw would align the points correctly, but the second one could throw the points under the train causing a wreck. The auto throw inhibit allows you to set a variable time from 0 to 255 seconds after the points have moved in response to an auto throw trigger during which neither trigger rail will activate the auto throw function. At the end of the programmed time period, auto throw is enabled and operates normally. Valid values for CV67 are 0 (default) through 255. 0 will allow auto throw to function any time the auto throw is enabled (see CV66). Any other value is the time in seconds that auto throw is inhibited after auto throw has moved the points.

2) Auto Return: Automatically returns the points after a preset interval for any operational event.

CV64 (CV69 Auto Return Enable) and (CV70 Auto Return Delay) returns the points to a defined position after a fixed time interval. It is controlled by three CVs. CV64 determines the home position of the points. This is the position to which the Hare will return the points after the desired waiting period following a point movement. 0 (the default) will return the points to the Clear position. A value of 2 will return to the Clear position and set the points to clear at power on. A value of 3 will return the points to the Throw position and set the points to Throw at power on. CV70 sets the Auto Return Delay time between the start of the point movement and the time that the Hare automatically returns the points to the programmed position. The value to enter into the CV is the desired delay in seconds. Values of 1 255 are valid, the default is 15. CV69 is Auto Return Enable control C. It sets which functions will activate Auto Return. 1 enables Auto Return after a DCC command, 2 enables Auto Return after an Auto Throw, 4 enables Auto Return after a manual pushbutton operation, and 8 enables Auto Return in the Semaphore Ops mode. You can enable multiple Auto Returns by adding the individual numbers together to get the final CV value (e.g. 15 will enable Auto Return after any points movement).

3) Lock Block Protection: Overrides the Hare's operation if a designated block is occupied.

Under some conditions, you may want to prevent auto-throw or some other Hare function when a train is occupying a track block. One example might be that a train from a diverging route is inhibited from tripping the auto-throw if a train is occupying the mainline near the switch. This prevents the lower priority train from moving the points under the mainline train. This function can be accomplished by using a block detector with an open collector output. A suitable device is the NCE BD-20, although any unit with an open collector output that is isolated from the track power can be used. The ground of the output is connected to Hare J1 pin 11. The open collector is connected to Hare J1 pin 10. Any time a train occupies the detected block, the Hare will enter the Dispatch Mode and move the switch points to the clear position. In the Dispatch Mode, CV66 specifies which functions are inhibited. Setting bit 0 inhibits DCC operation, bit 1 inhibits auto-throw, and bit 2 inhibits manual throw. The default is that all functions are inhibited during the Dispatch Mode.