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Post by BAZman on Sept 2, 2022 15:55:33 GMT -5
When the SW's came out, I noticed a new motor contact that would eliminate the add-on contacts of a Digitrax board.
Much not to my surprise, the PA also had this upward nipple motor contact and, was protruding through the new DC-Light board.
The motor tabs on current DCC boards have holes the exact same diameter as the new PA board. I had a Digitrax board that did not have solder in the holes where the motor contacts were soldered on so tested that on the new PA motor - same!
The PA board was also longer and and used screws (same as RS and SW). The board width was same as prior Digitrax and TCS boards.
I knew Alex of ZModell was working on a board but was using the Doehler & Haas decoder for world-wide digital compatibility but the Ukraine conflict made this difficult and we would really like to get something now. He understood.
I contacted Digitrax and sent them the corrections needed plus requested a current '5' chip series (the current '3' series is ~10 years old) plus larger LED to better assure the light pipe alignment and, large LED Resistor pad (it was the smallest SMD 0405) so we could change the brightness. He just needed a physical motor. I asked Corporate for a donation and the keeper of all but no response so I bought one to be shipped to Digitrax. They jumped on the project quickly and now available from your dealers or shops.
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Post by BAZman on Sept 2, 2022 16:22:05 GMT -5
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Post by dazed on Sept 2, 2022 18:48:07 GMT -5
So am I understanding that you're saying this new board works for all three new locos, not just the PA?
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Post by Rob Albritton on Sept 2, 2022 20:17:41 GMT -5
So am I understanding that you're saying this new board works for all three new locos, not just the PA? No, this is only for the PA. We will try to re-use this PCB in the future, but the upcoming SD40-2 has a new unique PCB too. We are going to try to get back to a common PCB design, especially for hood units, but recent projects like the SW and RS have required special PCB shapes due to their small size. |
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Post by markm on Sept 2, 2022 23:01:17 GMT -5
I was wondering, besides the updated firmware, what the difference is from theDZ123Z0? I've been playing with the later for the PA. I'm looking at using a leaded T-1 LED with leads formed gull wing. Adjust the led length to accommodate locomotive length.
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Post by louiez on Sept 3, 2022 2:21:40 GMT -5
When the SW's came out, I noticed a new motor contact that would eliminate the add-on contacts of a Digitrax board. Much not to my surprise, the PA also had this upward nipple motor contact and, was protruding through the new DC-Light board. The motor tabs on current DCC boards have holes the exact same diameter as the new PA board. I had a Digitrax board that did not have solder in the holes where the motor contacts were soldered on so tested that on the new PA motor - same! The PA board was also longer and and used screws (same as RS and SW). The board width was same as prior Digitrax and TCS boards. I knew Alex of ZModell was working on a board but was using the Doehler & Haas decoder for world-wide digital compatibility but the Ukraine conflict made this difficult and we would really like to get something now. He understood. I contacted Digitrax and sent them the corrections needed plus requested a current '5' chip series (the current '3' series is ~10 years old) plus larger LED to better assure the light pipe alignment and, large LED Resistor pad (it was the smallest SMD 0405) so we could change the brightness. He just needed a physical motor. I asked Corporate for a donation and the keeper of all but no response so I bought one to be shipped to Digitrax. They jumped on the project quickly and now available from your dealers or shops. Thanks for tackling this!! Do you know which dealers are carrying this new board? I've searched but cannot find them for sale. |
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Post by baumback on Sept 3, 2022 4:10:48 GMT -5
When the SW's came out, I noticed a new motor contact that would eliminate the add-on contacts of a Digitrax board. Much not to my surprise, the PA also had this upward nipple motor contact and, was protruding through the new DC-Light board. The motor tabs on current DCC boards have holes the exact same diameter as the new PA board. I had a Digitrax board that did not have solder in the holes where the motor contacts were soldered on so tested that on the new PA motor - same! The PA board was also longer and and used screws (same as RS and SW). The board width was same as prior Digitrax and TCS boards. I knew Alex of ZModell was working on a board but was using the Doehler & Haas decoder for world-wide digital compatibility but the Ukraine conflict made this difficult and we would really like to get something now. He understood. I contacted Digitrax and sent them the corrections needed plus requested a current '5' chip series (the current '3' series is ~10 years old) plus larger LED to better assure the light pipe alignment and, large LED Resistor pad (it was the smallest SMD 0405) so we could change the brightness. He just needed a physical motor. I asked Corporate for a donation and the keeper of all but no response so I bought one to be shipped to Digitrax. They jumped on the project quickly and now available from your dealers or shops. Thanks for tackling this!! Do you know which dealers are carrying this new board? I've searched but cannot find them for sale. Mark
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Post by louiez on Sept 3, 2022 12:19:01 GMT -5
Thanks for tackling this!! Do you know which dealers are carrying this new board? I've searched but cannot find them for sale. Mark
Thank You! I looked there last night and missed it. |
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Post by BAZman on Sept 3, 2022 13:56:18 GMT -5
The new DZ126 is a '6' Series. You can also find this in DecoderPro
A list of features from the site:
DZ126Z1 Mobile Decoder
Z Scale Mobile Decoder
* 2 FX3 Functions
* Torque Compensation for smooth as silk silent operation.
* 128 Speed Step operation (14 or 28 steps can also be used)
* Momentum with acceleration and deceleration
* Normal Direction of Travel is user selectable
* Switching Speed feature for easier and faster access to yard speeds
* 3 Step Speed Tables set start, mid and max voltage for custom control
* Built in Digitrax Transponding
* FX3 Function outputs for prototypical lighting effects and on/off control:
* Constant Brightness Lighting with directional or independent control
* Dynamic and Static Qualifiers operate functions based on direction,
* F0 on or off, loco direction and F0, and whether loco is moving
* Function Remapping for custom function setup
Essentially, "same"
If you look at the 3rd picture, I had them make the LED Resistor easier to change brightness. And, along the lower edge in red, Extra LED pads for what you are needing.
6 series have 'improved BEMF' motor compensation but that is normally imperceivable in Z or other scales. I have 50+ locos that run on 'out of the box' BEMF settings.
The upcoming TCS version will be a 4 function. This would normally only for Ditch Lights, Cab light, Beacon or other custom light function.
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Post by BAZman on Sept 4, 2022 0:41:49 GMT -5
I have to remind you that there are 6 step rungs that are VERY easy to bend, scratch that . . break off !
So be careful where fingers go, grab, move. Especially when you put the chassis back in the shell where you are very likely to press the chassis in to shell. Press on trucks instead. But be careful there too as the truck swivels very close too.
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Post by dazed on Sept 4, 2022 23:49:55 GMT -5
Can someone clarify if Digitrax is working on a board for the SW1500? I swear someone posted on Trainboard.com that one was "coming soon" from Digitrax. I hope they weren't confusing this PA decoder. EDIT: I found the reference, and admittedly I probably misread what was said. It referenced the "screw in boards" and I presumed this was talking about all three of the new releases...probably were just talking about the PA. My apologies.)
In the nicest way possible....AZL, you guys don't do a stellar job of "managing your DCC ecosystem". I can understand the RS3 and SW1500s being a challenge due to size, and the SD40-2 likely given the lighting options. I totally understand and appreciate that. But must you wait until they are shipping to dealers to get the DCC manufacturers involved? You aren't even willing to send them a motor to facilitate this? How long after spending thousands of dollars on SD40-2's will we have to wait to get decoders for them?
Please, invite Digitrax and TCS to your next Hawaii meeting and let them in on the fun. Thanks.
BTW thank you BAZman Jeff for taking this on...if you'll PM me your PayPal address I'll send you a few bucks to help with your expenses. Even though I don't have a PA1, I expect it will help them get decoders made for the others. I guess once one of us ships them DC boards for dimensions?
And also a big thank you to Alex. I still intend to honor my commitment for one of the SW1500 decoders (and probably three) once you are able to deliver your product to market. It is simply amazing that you've been able to keep this project going.
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Post by louiez on Sept 6, 2022 23:09:49 GMT -5
The new DZ12 6 is a '6' Series. You can also find this in DecoderPro A list of features from the site: DZ126Z1 Mobile Decoder Z Scale Mobile Decoder
* 2 FX3 Functions
* Torque Compensation for smooth as silk silent operation.
* 128 Speed Step operation (14 or 28 steps can also be used)
* Momentum with acceleration and deceleration
* Normal Direction of Travel is user selectable
* Switching Speed feature for easier and faster access to yard speeds
* 3 Step Speed Tables set start, mid and max voltage for custom control
* Built in Digitrax Transponding
* FX3 Function outputs for prototypical lighting effects and on/off control:
* Constant Brightness Lighting with directional or independent control
* Dynamic and Static Qualifiers operate functions based on direction,
* F0 on or off, loco direction and F0, and whether loco is moving
* Function Remapping for custom function setup
Essentially, "same" If you look at the 3rd picture, I had them make the LED Resistor easier to change brightness. And, along the lower edge in red, Extra LED pads for what you are needing. 6 series have 'improved BEMF' motor compensation but that is normally imperceivable in Z or other scales. I have 50+ locos that run on 'out of the box' BEMF settings. The upcoming TCS version will be a 4 function. This would normally only for Ditch Lights, Cab light, Beacon or other custom light function. The TCS decoder is now available at zscalemonster #TCS-1560 AZL1D4 Zscalemonster TCS |
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