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Post by tjdreams on Feb 16, 2017 2:33:08 GMT -5
Funny you should state this, just emailed them a few seconds ago, the production of the drop in for Micro Trains is "temporarily halted" pending a redesign. Yeah, still guessing a programming or math error, but only speculation. I asked them directly if the speed vs. speed step problem was going to be solved, we will see what kind of response I get back. Anyway, I can go forwards in any case, it's just painful, as reading that thread shows, sometimes the loco just takes off and the only solution is reset. This is why I'm putting all locos in the JMRI roster, single click and I have my speed tables back. Greg Greg, For the MZA4 my understanding was the redesign was because MTL redesigned the frame and you have to cut off the top posts for the board to work: Sorry the TCS page with the details appears to have been removed. Mark There is a lot of incorrect info out there. I've installed both the TCS 1297 (MZA4) and the Digitrax DZ123MO into over a dozen MTL's GP9 GP35 and SD40-2's and have never had to or even heard of having to cut off the top post. Modify a little yes cut off No TCS instructionsmodification for newer modelsThe MTL Locos GP9, GP35, SD40-2 that the TCS 1297 MZA4 fit are no longer produced. To my knowledge their has bin no Announcement that MTL intends to Re release any of these Loco's in Z scale. There for I doubt TCS or any other company for that matter, is going to spend any time or money to redesign a decoder to fit a Locomotive that is no longer produced. Much like the MTL Z Scale GP9, GP35, and SD40-2 the TCS MZA4 is sold out at most Dealers. While the Locos can still be found on eBay the MZA4 Decoders are becoming increasingly harder to find. While we all would liker to see new loco's from MTL and drop in decoders to fit them, I doubt we will see either any time soon or ever for that matter. David
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Post by QcKraag on Feb 16, 2017 6:46:13 GMT -5
Well that is unless atlas ends up buying them out
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Post by markm on Feb 16, 2017 11:12:59 GMT -5
David, Checking out the products page going through the link you posted this morning still shows that TCS is redesigning the MZA4 (bottom of the page). The particular image I posted came from the TCS web site December 2010 page \TCS\MZA4 TCS decoder Installation new if you want to look it up. Since I didn't have any locomotives that met that criteria I just filed it for reference. Milling the slot seemed to more appropriate solution even in 2010. The problem is simply the decoder is on a 4 layer board and the locomotive has a two layer slot. They don't need to redesign their board, just reprint it using a different interlayer dielectric. So have you seen any problems with speed tables on the MZA4? And to keep things legal: all images (C)2010 by TCS. Extracts from the original images posted for review purposes only. Mark
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Post by markm on Feb 26, 2017 3:43:52 GMT -5
So in summary the decoders nobody likes are the ones that work right.
But I'm still left to ponder how all the TCS users do speed matching?
Mark
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Post by bogtudor on Jan 6, 2020 7:23:50 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
After using both DZ123Z0 and AZL4 in AZL locomotives, including swapping them in the same chassis, I have the impression that DZ123Z0 is less sensitive to pickup power interruptions than AZL4, so the overall experience is better and closer to DC. Maybe the Digitrax decoder has an onboard capacitor and the TCS one has not?
Bogdan
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Post by markm on Jan 6, 2020 11:08:53 GMT -5
Bogdan,
Thanks for the info. Both boards seem to have capacitors, but could be a difference in value. It could also be how the firmware in the CPU handles "brownout" conditions.
Reviewing the thread it seems it seem it has been moderated. In particular the other half of the conversation to my posts.
A couple questions still remain: Will TCS be releasing a new MSA4 decoder (MTL Joe has said the GPs will be back some day)? Also is there any acknowledgement and fix for the speed table issues? And if so, which version of firmware?
Mark
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