Zmodell universal digital decoder for AZL and Märklin models
Jul 23, 2024 13:59:19 GMT -5
Kez, tjdreams, and 11 more like this
Post by scanrail on Jul 23, 2024 13:59:19 GMT -5
Greetings to all,
You asked, we did it. Being initially skeptical regarding development of the digital decoder that already exists from other manufacturers for a long time, I, nevertheless, changed my mind after receiving numerous requests about such a thing and developed the new model – universal digital decoder for AZL locomotives with old chassis. It is also compatible with a number of Märklin models based on the same chassis.
It would not be enough just to deliver one more thing that is similar to everything else on the market. Here is the list of key differences and advantages of the new digital decoder:
Here is it – the new digital decoder ZDL-AZL-01:
Bottom side:
On the following picture, you can see dual front LEDs together:
Integrated energy storage module
Despite the very small size of the board, I managed to place 470 μF 16 V Tantalum Polymer capacitor on the bottom side of the circuit board. Presence of energy storage circuit significantly improves driving characteristics of the locomotive and helps to overcome dirty track sections as well as turnouts, crossings etc. without jerks and stalls, especially at low speeds. Energy storage module features thermal and overvoltage protection.
Advanced front lights
Weak front lights are unfortunately a well-known drawback in many AZL locomotive designs. It happens because of the following reasons: the front LED on the circuit board is always located too far from the actual headlights, and in most cases, it is connected with them using very long and winding plastic lightguides. Because of all this, the ditch lights on certain locomotive models are barely visible at all even in darkness.
The most efficient way to overcome this shortcoming is to attach the LEDs directly behind the front light openings. However, this is not always possible, given the design features of different locomotives. Moreover, such modifications may be too complex for many users to implement, and in addition they reduce the collector’s value of the model.
I decided to find a better solution for this issue that would not require any irreversible modifications to the model. For this, I used different type of warm white LEDs with enhanced light output, and I also decided to add the second LED to the front end of the circuit board to further increase the brightness of the front lights. All this together gave a huge 4-5-fold increase in the brightness of the front LEDs.
The result of this improvement is clearly visible in the following pictures. I deliberately chose the models with longest and most curved lightguides – E8/E9, SD70ACe and P42. Upper locomotives are fitted with existing digital decoders from other manufacturers, while lower ones received my new universal digital decoder.
E8A Frisco:
GE P42 Genesis Amtrak:
And here is the hardest case – SD70ACe with nose and ditch lights. Despite that F0 is indeed activated here, you can barely see any light coming out of the nose lights. And activating F0 function has no effect on the ditch lights at all. The problem disappears as soon as my new decoder comes into play – well-lit nose and ditch lights are clearly visible now:
And here is one more picture of P42 locomotive fitted with my new digital decoder:
Auxiliary outputs
In order to maximize capabilities of the new decoder, I added two auxiliary outputs. They are fitted with 4.7K current-limiting resistors and allow direct connection of any types of small LEDs. The outputs are amplified and provide the maximum current capability of 300 mA each. (Total load capacity of the digital decoder including all consumers like motor and lights should not exceed 0.5 A). Consumers should be connected to AUX 1 (-), AUX 2 (-) and VS (+) pads on the circuit board. It is recommended to use thin stranded flexible wire for this. Single-core enameled cables (magnet wire) are not recommended.
The brightness of all light outputs (including auxiliary) is adjustable via PWM. In case of connecting consumers other than standard LEDs (for example, blinking LEDs), the brightness should be always set to the maximum level. Otherwise, such consumers may show malfunction. If the LEDs connected to the auxiliary outputs have capacitors connected in parallel, then adjusting their brightness may have no effect.
Extended capabilities
And finally, the full set of settings that allows to fine-tune the digital decoder according to your preferences is at your service. It is possible to remap all functions in a custom way, set conditions, timers, to specify how the decoder should behave on braking sections, and so on. Complete user’s manual with detailed description of all functions and decoder settings can be downloaded from the official website of Doehler & Haass:
doehler-haass.de/cms/media/pdf/DH05C_DH10C_DH16A_en.pdf
I added the set of the following pictures to illustrate how ZDL-AZL-01 digital decoder looks when installed in different types of chassis.
E7/E8/E9:
SD70:
Important note about the installation: The way the circuit board is fixed in old AZL chassis has known disadvantage, when you sometimes need to remove excessive solder from the track pads to let the board sit in place completely. Although I did my best to optimize the design of the new board for simpler installation, it still may be needed to do this for certain types of chassis – almost always, the tolerances are slightly different. The board can fit in one chassis straight away, but require some rework for another one.
Removal of excessive solder can be done in two ways: by gentle scratching the solder with a sharp knife or with a soldering iron. Regardless of chosen method, it must be done extremely carefully in order not to damage surrounding components.
In certain cases, the completely opposite situation may occur. If the digital decoder is installed correctly and it sits in place completely, but there is still no electric contact between the track pads and the chassis, adding some solder to the track pads on the circuit board may be needed. This should be done carefully using a soldering iron with thin tip (1-2 mm) and avoiding touching surrounding components and making solder bridges.
The new board will be available at the dealers in the USA as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Alex
You asked, we did it. Being initially skeptical regarding development of the digital decoder that already exists from other manufacturers for a long time, I, nevertheless, changed my mind after receiving numerous requests about such a thing and developed the new model – universal digital decoder for AZL locomotives with old chassis. It is also compatible with a number of Märklin models based on the same chassis.
It would not be enough just to deliver one more thing that is similar to everything else on the market. Here is the list of key differences and advantages of the new digital decoder:
- Proven Doehler & Haass® digital technology with super smooth and silent motor control, reliable load regulation and excellent slow speed driving
- Integrated highly efficient energy storage module with thermal and overvoltage protection
- LEDs with enhanced light output + dual front LEDs which together provide approximately 4-5 times higher brightness than the front LED on the stock analog board at full throttle
- Two amplified auxiliary outputs with 300 mA load capacity each and dimming function
- Very wide fine-tuning capabilities – extended function mapping, conditions, timers, brake sections etc., as well as support of multiple protocols and modes – DCC, Märklin/Motorola, SelecTRIX 1, SelecTRIX 2 and DC analog mode.
Here is it – the new digital decoder ZDL-AZL-01:
Bottom side:
On the following picture, you can see dual front LEDs together:
Integrated energy storage module
Despite the very small size of the board, I managed to place 470 μF 16 V Tantalum Polymer capacitor on the bottom side of the circuit board. Presence of energy storage circuit significantly improves driving characteristics of the locomotive and helps to overcome dirty track sections as well as turnouts, crossings etc. without jerks and stalls, especially at low speeds. Energy storage module features thermal and overvoltage protection.
Advanced front lights
Weak front lights are unfortunately a well-known drawback in many AZL locomotive designs. It happens because of the following reasons: the front LED on the circuit board is always located too far from the actual headlights, and in most cases, it is connected with them using very long and winding plastic lightguides. Because of all this, the ditch lights on certain locomotive models are barely visible at all even in darkness.
The most efficient way to overcome this shortcoming is to attach the LEDs directly behind the front light openings. However, this is not always possible, given the design features of different locomotives. Moreover, such modifications may be too complex for many users to implement, and in addition they reduce the collector’s value of the model.
I decided to find a better solution for this issue that would not require any irreversible modifications to the model. For this, I used different type of warm white LEDs with enhanced light output, and I also decided to add the second LED to the front end of the circuit board to further increase the brightness of the front lights. All this together gave a huge 4-5-fold increase in the brightness of the front LEDs.
The result of this improvement is clearly visible in the following pictures. I deliberately chose the models with longest and most curved lightguides – E8/E9, SD70ACe and P42. Upper locomotives are fitted with existing digital decoders from other manufacturers, while lower ones received my new universal digital decoder.
E8A Frisco:
GE P42 Genesis Amtrak:
And here is the hardest case – SD70ACe with nose and ditch lights. Despite that F0 is indeed activated here, you can barely see any light coming out of the nose lights. And activating F0 function has no effect on the ditch lights at all. The problem disappears as soon as my new decoder comes into play – well-lit nose and ditch lights are clearly visible now:
And here is one more picture of P42 locomotive fitted with my new digital decoder:
Auxiliary outputs
In order to maximize capabilities of the new decoder, I added two auxiliary outputs. They are fitted with 4.7K current-limiting resistors and allow direct connection of any types of small LEDs. The outputs are amplified and provide the maximum current capability of 300 mA each. (Total load capacity of the digital decoder including all consumers like motor and lights should not exceed 0.5 A). Consumers should be connected to AUX 1 (-), AUX 2 (-) and VS (+) pads on the circuit board. It is recommended to use thin stranded flexible wire for this. Single-core enameled cables (magnet wire) are not recommended.
The brightness of all light outputs (including auxiliary) is adjustable via PWM. In case of connecting consumers other than standard LEDs (for example, blinking LEDs), the brightness should be always set to the maximum level. Otherwise, such consumers may show malfunction. If the LEDs connected to the auxiliary outputs have capacitors connected in parallel, then adjusting their brightness may have no effect.
Extended capabilities
And finally, the full set of settings that allows to fine-tune the digital decoder according to your preferences is at your service. It is possible to remap all functions in a custom way, set conditions, timers, to specify how the decoder should behave on braking sections, and so on. Complete user’s manual with detailed description of all functions and decoder settings can be downloaded from the official website of Doehler & Haass:
doehler-haass.de/cms/media/pdf/DH05C_DH10C_DH16A_en.pdf
I added the set of the following pictures to illustrate how ZDL-AZL-01 digital decoder looks when installed in different types of chassis.
E7/E8/E9:
SD70:
Important note about the installation: The way the circuit board is fixed in old AZL chassis has known disadvantage, when you sometimes need to remove excessive solder from the track pads to let the board sit in place completely. Although I did my best to optimize the design of the new board for simpler installation, it still may be needed to do this for certain types of chassis – almost always, the tolerances are slightly different. The board can fit in one chassis straight away, but require some rework for another one.
Removal of excessive solder can be done in two ways: by gentle scratching the solder with a sharp knife or with a soldering iron. Regardless of chosen method, it must be done extremely carefully in order not to damage surrounding components.
In certain cases, the completely opposite situation may occur. If the digital decoder is installed correctly and it sits in place completely, but there is still no electric contact between the track pads and the chassis, adding some solder to the track pads on the circuit board may be needed. This should be done carefully using a soldering iron with thin tip (1-2 mm) and avoiding touching surrounding components and making solder bridges.
The new board will be available at the dealers in the USA as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Alex
