Jamie Smith

Ok, thanks guys. Will try Iain's suggestion first. If all else fails, I can fall back on Keith's advice.

Hi, Can anyone advise how you configure double slip points in the Z21 software? The software suggests that each of the two point motors (Cobalts) have been assigned 2 unique addresses, but when I test them they both switch at the same time! In effect, the crossing will only act in slip configuration and not allowing cross over option! Do I have to set up each point motor individually? What I’m currently doing is setting both of the points to ‘Set’ first, selecting the double slip point option in the Z21 software and then flicking both points to ‘Run’. My guess is the software is assigning both points the same reference number?? Kind regards, Jamie

Quick update...looks like RailCom was the culprit behind the issue of registering new address for the points. Turned it off and all was good. Still waiting for a fix on the zig-zag issue however! And for anyone with this issue in the future... DCC Concepts gave me the following reply (Big thank you to Mick at DCC); Hi Jamie, Thanks for the reply. If they are original Digital, then they do not have the 197-199 special commands for autocentre and reverse operation. To repeat the addressing procedure: Connect motor to normal DCC with system in run mode. Flick switch to SET. Send a "point change" command from the system [*] (Repeat a couple of times) The motor will not move (although the very first batch of Digital will give a slight shuffle - similar to loco decoders when writing CVs. The first batch will also give a tiny shuffle at power up that lasts less than a second) Flick switch to RUN. And that should be it. [*] When using screen based systems, the point will have to be created and given an address in the "track build" mode. Then select normal track operation to carry out the procedure as above. Turn off Railcom for addressing, as the Railcom pulse can sometimes affect the procedure. Can you try them in "manual" mode? Connect DCC power and also a pushbutton on terminals 4/5. You can use a couple of short pieces of wire and "dab" them together. As you press the button, the motor should move one way, press it again, it will move back. Best Regards, Mick

Thanks for all the replies. They are original Cobalt Digital points, not the newer IP versions. Not sure It's a wiring issue/interference as I am simply running two wires from the Track Output at the back of the Z21 straight into ports 1 & 2 of the motor (DCC) and that's it. Nothing else...no frog out...not wired into the accessory bus etc. Thought I'd do it this way to keep any potential wiring issues to a minimum. Plus I've managed to program the next point 'down the line' so to speak and that one is working fine....so far! I've tried all the usual things of disabling the auto-centre (198-202...and all combinations in between) but as Newbryford eludes to, they are older (original) motors so not sure they have the special address commands as this makes no difference what so ever. (On a side note, I also can't seem to change, or issue a different address numbers once I assign/set up a motor. Once It's been assigned a number (e.g. 7) it won't accept a new number, no matter how much I try...this is for ALL of my motors. Does anyone have a really simple step-by-step 'Idiots guide' on how to change or amend a new address number for Cobalt points...as clearly I'm an Idiot! lol) I've contacted DCC Concepts and they are looking into it...but I will certainly try turning off RailCom in the mean time and see what happens. I can do without this as I have no plans to use it.

I've just began with fitting my electrics and come across a rather bizarre problem. Have my Z21 up and running and now moving on to assigning the (Cobalt digital) point motors. However, when I wire them up, the motors the just seem to zig-zag constantly back and forth! I suspect this may be something to do with them trying to self-centre, but no idea why they are doing this. I read that you can switch them off by assigning them an address of 198 or 202 but not sure if I've done this correctly as when I switch them from set to run mode, the zig-zagging begins again. Have all the usual things, track bus bar, separate accessory bus etc. Any thoughts?

I've just began with fitting my electrics and come across a rather bizarre problem. Have my Z21 up and running and now moving on to assigning the (Cobalt digital) point motors. However, when I wire them up, the motors the just seem to zig-zag constantly back and forth! I suspect this may be something to do with them trying to self-centre, but no idea why they are doing this. I read that you can switch them off by assigning them an address of 198 or 202 but not sure if I've done this correctly as when I switch them from set to run mode, the zig-zagging begins again. Have all the usual things, track bus bar, separate accessory bus etc. Any thoughts?

Hi, Is this an Electrofrog point? I assume so based on the model number. If this is anything like the 4 way slip, then my guess would be the two (at the ends) by the frog rails would be for frog switching and the other two (centre) will be for the power?

OK, good to know Iain. I'll take that approach to wiring up the Cobalt motors and see how I get on. Fingers crossed I don't set fire to the house... And thanks Nigel for your input. I'll probably stay away from any US origin devices if I can help it and look for 'RailCom' friendly devices from now on.

Yes, I've read a few threads where the default answer was....turn off RailCom! To be honest, It's not my priority at this stage to play around with that. I'll leave that for a future project. At this stage I just want to get all the wiring correct and working, and a good 'future proof' design in place so I can update anything in the future. Once this is done, I can take things up a few notches on the technical scale. On another issue regarding points, I've just read that if you power the switch & frog from the accessory bus (as was my plan), and the track points from the track bus, this kinda negates the advantage of powering the two independently???

Thanks for the reply WIMorrison. So your recommendation would be to have a full Roco Z21 homogenous system? I guess it t does kinda make sense. I've not read of any issues with the DR5033 to date, but this was the reason for my questions...so thanks for your input. Just out of curiosity, what issues did you have with these boosters? I was wondering when the dreaded 'RailCom' phrase would appear! Apologies but I have no idea what this is and therefore what advantages this will bring. I'll have to do some more research on this.

Hi all, Hope we are all having a lovely bank holiday weekend and staying safe. I have a few questions regarding power & bus layouts which I would really appreciate the collective groups input on. Bit of background... I'm in the process of building an end to end layout, based on the Bluebell railway in East Sussex with both the Sheffield Park & Horsted Keynes stations, and then a small loop running around the perimeter of the board (just for a bit of added interest). I've almost completed the track laying and now moving on with the wiring. For the turnouts (approx 25 odd) I'm using Cobalt digital point motors. Now, I've done lots and lots of research on which control system to use, and with a bit of invaluable & amazing help from a fellow forum member (you know who you are) have decided to go with the Roco Z21 with 2 DigikeiJs DR5033 boosters. My plan is to run 2 power districts, one for each of the stations with a main bus wire and then break these down into sub-districts (for the main track, sidings etc - purely for fault finding). I want to then run a third accessory bus to serve the point motors & any future lighting, and plan to use the Z21 main track output for this. The other reasons for using two boosters is that the track length/bus wire within each district is approx 6-8 meters and therefore the total may be in excess of 10 meters, and I would also assume running a few locos with lights/sound etc all at once will probably exceed 3 amps across the whole layout! I've drawn an incredibly crude sketch of my plan to help visualize...apologies for the quality! Now for the questions! Is there any advantage/disadvantage in using the Digikeijs boosters rather than the Z21 boosters? What is the best method for powering the accessory bus? Is this from the main track output from the rear of the Z21 box? Ideally I don't want to lost the functionality of point switching from the Z21 app. Can anyone see any major flaws with what I'm proposing above? Regards...Jamie Bus layout.pdf

Ok, thx. Will do. Didn't know there was a specific Z21 thread.

Hi all, Hope we are ll having a lovely bank holiday weekend and staying safe. I have a few questions regarding power & bus layouts which I would really appreciate the collective groups input on. Bit of background... I'm in the process of building an end to end layout, based on the Bluebell railway in East Sussex with both the Sheffield Park & Horsted Keynes stations, and then a small loop running around the perimeter of the board (just for a bit of added interest). I've almost completed the track laying and now moving on with the wiring. For the turnouts (approx 25 odd) I'm using Cobalt digital point motors. Now, I've done lots and lots of research on which control system to use, and with a bit of invaluable & amazing help from a fellow forum member (you know who you are) have decided to go with the Roco Z21 with 2 DigikeiJs DR5033 boosters. My plan is to run 2 power districts, one for each of the stations with a main bus wire and then break these down into sub-districts (for the main track, sidings etc - purely for fault finding). I want to then run a third accessory bus to serve the point motors & any future lighting, and plan to use the Z21 main track output for this. The other reasons for using two boosters is that the track length/bus wire within each district is approx 6-8 meters and therefore the total may be in excess of 10 meters, and I would also assume running a few locos with lights/sound etc all at once will probably exceed 3 amps across the whole layout! I've drawn an incredibly crude sketch of my plan to help visualize...apologies for the quality! Now for the questions! Is there any advantage/disadvantage in using the Digikeijs boosters rather than the Z21 boosters? What is the best method for powering the accessory bus? Is this from the main track output from the rear of the Z21 box? Ideally I don't want to lost the functionality of point switching from the Z21 app. Can anyone see any major flaws with what I'm proposing above? Regards...Jamie Bus layout.pdf