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Post by zdave on May 21, 2016 3:28:33 GMT -5
This is a decoder feature that looks to be very nice for the ACes: Ditch Lights: control alternating ditch lights with realistic pulsing. Unless I am mistaken, the ditch lights are achieved via light pipes, no? If so, the decoder cannot independently flash the ditch lights unless you modify the locomotive to use two additional LEDs for the ditch light illumination. As was mentioned, UP and BNSF and some others don't do alternating flashing ditch lights. Ah, I believe you're right. One light source per pair of ditch lights. Oh, well. Never mind. I'll just go back to being happy about having "out-of-the box" ditch lights.  |
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Post by HerbertA on May 22, 2016 8:59:43 GMT -5
No rule without exception!
On YouTube I found rare examples of UP and BNSF engines with alternating flashing ditch lights:
UP examples:
Second train with UP engine with alternating ditch lights leads an auto rack.
BNSF Examples (SD70MAC with the BN Executive scheme lettered for BNSF):
(regular orange scheme, seems to be a former Executive MAC.)
Herbert
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Post by domi on May 22, 2016 16:50:54 GMT -5
Maybe second hand units coming from roads where flashing ditch lights are the norm ?
BTW, I again ask my question (Rob, Hans): any hint of when Ferromex units are available?
Dom
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Post by DAZed on May 22, 2016 19:47:40 GMT -5
Herbert, it was already mentioned there were exceptions. No need to go to so much effort to prove everyone wrong. Somewhere I have a pretty detailed account of which locomotives alternate and which don't, especially with the BN 70MAC's and UP/SP C44AC's.
Show me an ACe from either road the meets that exception...then we'll talk.
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Post by zdave on May 22, 2016 22:19:09 GMT -5
I'm about halfway through Herbert's YouTubes but I had to stop. All the flashing was starting to make me dizzy.  |
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Post by zdave on May 30, 2016 14:36:49 GMT -5
A Memorial Day salute for the fallen. ![]()  |
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Post by smr on May 30, 2016 16:23:18 GMT -5
It appears that some European shops still have SD70ACE`s from the first runs. Furthermore, there is no such rush on them like in the US and they just sit on the shelf. Therefore, Jens had the great idea to collect them and to offer them back to the AZL community. I help him with that. If you are interested, please place your wishes with Jens. He can then inform you when we were able to successfully hunt down your loco. zettzeit.ch/shop/index.php?cPath=39and have an enjoyable tour through his fantastic website www.zettzeit.ch/Good luck! Best, Sven PS: For the moment, we could track 1WP, 4 BNSF, and 1 UP - available around mid June |
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Post by BAZman on May 31, 2016 11:11:26 GMT -5
The TCS AZL4 decoder (http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Products/Decoders/Z-Scale/Z%20Series.html) will let you retain the factory Forward and Reverse functions, with the existing light pipe. You can then separate the lightpipe that feeds the ditch lights from the upper upper cab. After trimming the ditch lightpipes to just inside the shell @ the lower deck, you can place individual LED's and wire to the F1 and F2 outputs.
Search 'pre wired micro LED' or 'pre soldered micro LED' on ebay. $5-$15 for Warm White (cheaper) or White (more expensive). A 0604 size is OK but the 0402 is better (smaller) so can be more ideally located without interference.
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Post by gerd on May 31, 2016 20:53:47 GMT -5
Thanks Jeff, haven't seen those per-wired LED before
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Post by BAZman on Jun 1, 2016 15:02:16 GMT -5
Quite a few sources Gerd. One Aussie site too: www.dccconcepts.comOthers too, like: Evan Designs (ModelTrainSoftware.com) www.modeltrainsoftware.com/ledlights1.htmlAliExpress (the 'Amazon' of Alibaba) www.aliexpress.com/store/group/LED-and-BULB/630387_251996449.html?spm=2114.10010108.100008.1.ianapQI prefer 'sunny white' or 3500K. Warm whites (2700-3000K) are OK for steam, early diesels. White are often WAY too white an blue-tint (Note ALL white LED's are Blue LED with phosphor to make the 'yellowish' visual. The blusish tint ones [~6200-6500 Kelivin] have very little phosphor to make the yellow-ish). There is no White LED (yet). ALL white LED's are SUPER efficient, compared to red, green, etc. So lower currents are MORE than enough. However, the Color that they generate are produced at a specified current (usually 10-20ma [milliamnp]). These make way overly bright lights, even with very lossy light pipe and will easily shine through shells (look in side the AZL shells and not the gloss black masking !!!). So, if you use lower currents for less light, the LED's will get more blue (less phosphor stimulation). This is less noticeable with the Warm whites as they have thicker coatings. Here is a quick and easy Resistor chart from TCS to get you close. www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Technical_Info/Tech_Manuals/WiringLights.pdfUse the 12 Volt and 1 LED. I typically use up to 1000 (1K)ohm resistors. 1/4 Watt is high enough. (Watts = Current(I)^2 x Resistance(R) = (.02 x .02)x 500 ohm = .2 Watt Surface mount device(SMD) resistors are MUCH smaller than their equivalent cylindrical. A 1/4 watt resistor in SMD is typically a 1206 (3216 metric). If you cut the current down to 5 ma, then any SMD will work (even the 0402), like the super tiniest ones you see on the decoder boards. |
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Post by Commodore on Jun 2, 2016 17:06:08 GMT -5
The Northwestern UP Heritage will ship in a week!
Looking forward
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Post by zdave on Jun 2, 2016 19:00:19 GMT -5
The Northwestern UP Heritage will ship in a week! Looking forward Cool. CNW UP Heritage and CN for this release. |
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Post by Commodore on Jun 2, 2016 20:23:42 GMT -5
It appears that some European shops still have SD70ACE`s from the first runs. Furthermore, there is no such rush on them like in the US and they just sit on the shelf. Therefore, Jens had the great idea to collect them and to offer them back to the AZL community. I help him with that. If you are interested, please place your wishes with Jens. He can then inform you when we were able to successfully hunt down your loco. zettzeit.ch/shop/index.php?cPath=39and have an enjoyable tour through his fantastic website www.zettzeit.ch/Good luck! Best, Sven PS: For the moment, we could track 1WP, 4 BNSF, and 1 UP - available around mid June Thanks Sven! I really do appreciate this opportunity to purchase the UP heritage WP. Got the email from Jens right away. Already have the two UP cabs. Hope others on the forum can use the BNSF or the UP. ...or I would have purchased them, as well. This is the best AZL release, EVER. Thanks again Rory |
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Post by z220bahner on Jun 5, 2016 12:35:46 GMT -5
Hallo Leute,
hier nun die SD70ACe mit Graben Lichter.
Hi Guys,
here are the SD70ACe with ditch lights.
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Post by dave on Jun 14, 2016 5:29:04 GMT -5
I see that a couple of dealers have more of the BNSF and UP SD70ACes now.
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