Roco z21 Start - DCC Newbie

[ianLMS]

Good afternoon all,

I have just entered the world of DCC and after lots of research I ended up purchasing a z21 start (white one), multimaus handset and Wi-Fi package from Ipswich Model Rail Centre for a whole £145.00 brand new. After 30 years as an analogue user, I never thought I would ever convert to DCC, but so far, I have not regretted it.

 

I have re-wired my layout using a "BUS" and have fitted decoders to 3 loco's so far (10 to go) and managed to programme them without messing anything up! 2 Hornby locos use a Hornby 8-pin chip and my Bachmann 3F is using a Gaugemaster 21-pin chip. The rest of the locos are not DCC ready so will need hard-wiring (Mainline, Airfix etc)

 

I isolated a siding at the front of the layout and switch it via a DPDT for programming use only. Seems to work a treat.

 

At first, after programming, working on the programming track and re-wiring the layout, the loco's didn't work. After a bit of head-scratching, I decided I ought to clean the track. Instant success!!! Its always the most basic thing that stops us in our tracks!!! Suprising how sensitive DCC is and how important clean track is. I also need to add more droppers to limit connectivity issues at track joints etc.

 

I use my Samsung Tab E with the z21 app and again, I am very impressed. Add a photo of the loco for easy reference, nice easy programming function and simple to operate. A bit of a delay now and again compared to the instant response from the Multimaus, but I can live with it for now.

 

I have also purchased 3 x Gaugemaster DCC30 Accessory decoder (£20 on Ebay for all 3) which I plan to use with my Peco/Seep motors so I can also use the tablet to control the points. At the moment, they are operated separately from my mimic board with LED indication etc.

 

I am having issues with a diamond crossing but I have posted that question in the appropriate topic section.

 

I am sure I will have more questions as I dig deeper and utilize more of the z21, but for now I am happy!!!!

 

Any hints/tips etc will be gratefully received.

 

Take care

Ian (Jencaster, 1930's LMS layout - 12' x 8', OO gauge)

[Scottish-Exile]

I'm just  about to embark on a similar route and currently  researching DCC systems. Can I ask what finally swung it for you to choose the Roco z21?

 

It's high on my list too along with the Dynamis Rail Controller that I saw at Bachmann's demo day last week.

 

My current dilemma is that as a newbie, I want something simple to start with but will not leave me feeling short-changed as my layout/ stock and skills/confidence grow with experience etc.

[GoingUnderground]

The z21 is a fully fledged DCC system in its own right, be it with a twist in controlling your layout via an app on your mobile phone. But it's still capable of connecting a 'normal' hand set (by Lenz or compatible) or Roco's own WiFi MultiMaus if you want a more traditional way of control. Of course it lacks a number of features big bro Z21 has, but except the programming track, most of those will be redundant for a majority of users anyway. Also, the z21 is RailCom enabled, the Dynamis isn't (AFAIK!).

According to the Bachmann product descriptions on their website, the Dynamis Ultima has Railcom Plus, i.e. Railcom with automatic setup of new locos on the system, which would make its Railcom capabilities the same as the z21 and Z21. Edited June 3, 2017 by GoingUnderground

[ianLMS]

Z21_white_EN.pdf

According to the Bachmann product descriptions on their website, the Dynamis Ultima has Railcom Plus, i.e. Railcom with automatic setup of new locos on the system, which would make its Railcom capabilities the same as the z21 and Z21.

I'm just  about to embark on a similar route and currently  researching DCC systems. Can I ask what finally swung it for you to choose the Roco z21?

 

It's high on my list too along with the Dynamis Rail Controller that I saw at Bachmann's demo day last week.

 

My current dilemma is that as a newbie, I want something simple to start with but will not leave me feeling short-changed as my layout/ stock and skills/confidence grow with experience etc.

I looked at the Dynamis and looked at various comments on RMWeb and others, then compared prices, functionality etc. I also looked at "Simons Shed" on You-Tube which showed how easy it was to operate, plus http://www.z21.co.uk/, and Roco's own website. The cost really swung it - £145 all in for the z21 with Multimaus hand held controller, Wi-Fi router and control box, versus well over £200 for the Dynamis (both available from www.scograil.co.uk. There was also a concern that the Dynamis is affected by Fluorescent tube lighting. As I have fluorescent tube lighting, I was not going to chance it.

I am 100% convinced going with the z21 was the right thing to do. I have been nothing but impressed on how easy it is to set up, operate, and program. My only issue is using the tablet for operating points. There is no delete function. However, you can download other operating systems which may operate better.

For a programming track, I simply isolated a siding and added in a SPST switch so I can isolate the main track while I programme a loco, then flip the switch and drive it onto the main track. The Black Z21 has a few more functions that quite frankly I would never utilize anyway.

If you want to use a different app rather than the z21 app, you can download Digitrains. If you want to use a PC you can also download iRoc, padRoc ,Rocrail®, iTrain®,TrainController®, etc. which may be easier to use or give more functionality. However, I am happy with the z21 app.

 

Hope this helps.

Ian

Edited June 5, 2017 by ianLMS

[Scottish-Exile]

Thanks Ian. A great insight.

[ianLMS]

Thanks Ian. A great insight.

No problem. Let me know what you decide and especially if you go with the z21. I am still in the vertical learning phase with DCC and the z21. I have just purchased some Gaugemaster DCC30 accessory decoders and will be installing them later this week to operate the points so will report on progress.

 

Thanks

Ian

[Scottish-Exile]

Will do Ian. It's a while off yet as we're going to be moving home later this year. Plan is for a new layout in the new home which will be built for DCC. I'm really keen for a system that allows me to run off a touchscreen tablet or laptop. I'm not overly keen on the various handsets I've seen which have small B&W screens similar to what mobile phones were like 10 plus years ago. My eyes are telling me I need the biggest screen size possible!

[ianLMS]

Update on using the z21 - What a piece of kit - so easy to use and I am enjoying controlling my trains much more than before. I still haven't got around to fitting the Gaugemaster DCC 30 accessory decoders yet - too busy ripping up and re-laying the fiddle yard to now include 6 lanes, all slightly longer and using electro-frog points. I will be using the Gaugemaster DCC 80 auto-frogs with these points. I already have a separate topic thread covering that one. The only issue I have had so far is the deletion of my loco photographs - Chip codes etc were still there, just the photo's disappeared. I also had an issue deleting unnecessary pages I had created for controlling the points. In the end, I had 7 pages where I tried photographing the layout, photographing sections of pointwork and in the end, photographing the schematic I use on the control panel. This seemed to resolve itself at the same time I lost the loco pics - somehow, all of the pages were deleted. I am just glad I hadn't spent them time creating the 30+ points, numbering them and coding them before I had managed to back-up the layout.

 

Lesson learnt - back up, back up and back up again!!

 

More to follow, but I cannot stress enough how pleased I am with my purchase!!!

 

Ian