chaplin Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 Hi all I am new to the hobby and in the early stages of planning a new layout which will be my first DCC so therefore I have no equipment already. Ideally I would like to use something like itrains to have computer control of the trains, points and signals with automation and route setting etc. The trains will have sound and i'd like them to move realistically. It would also be good to be able to control other scenic items but not sure if this is possible. What system would be good for all this? I have been looking at MERG but it seems to be very confusing and Ideally I want something more plug and play. I can solder and don't mind wiring but i'd like to have something which works without too much troubleshooting. I like the look of Digitrax but it's too expensive for me. I have recently seen the Digikeijs stuff and this looks like it might be the answer. Anyone have any experience with this? Also, any other systems I have missed? I'd prefer to stick with all one make really if it makes things easier and ready to buy a system but want it to be right from the start. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMorrison Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 The Digikeijs kit is good for the price, though you will need to buy a handset - or use your phone to operate it which would be the same for my preferred systm, the Roco Z21. If you want to do automation and want it simple then I suggest that a DR5000 as a command station and Loconet components (DR4088xx, DR5088RC) are the simplest, not quite 'plug and play' but much, much closer to it than MERG - though more expensive. The other advantage to using the Digikeijs kit is that iTrain integrates perfectly with it which MERB doesn't. you can control scenic items easily using something like a DR4018 which will give you 16 x DCC controlled switches, there are other options available based around arduino but again, not plug and play. Automation is great but I should warn you that creating a lyout and automating it never having done anything like this before can be a challenge for some people, but there is always help here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaplin Posted April 2, 2020 Author Share Posted April 2, 2020 Thanks for your reply. The automation side of things is something I would like to have as an option that is already 'built in' rather than something I will be looking to achieve from the outset. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMorrison Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 The DR5000 will certainly support the commercial offerings for automation such as LocoNet, S88 and ExpressNet. I suggest that LocoNet is the best option to stick with. Look at the Roco WiFi Multimaus to pair with the DR5000, much easier to handle (for most people) than a phone - but the phone also has its uses 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaplin Posted April 2, 2020 Author Share Posted April 2, 2020 You may have sold me on the Z21. Just watching youtube reviews now but the Digikeijs seems to have some reliability issues. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMorrison Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 I cannot fault the Z21 - mine just ---- works To the point I completely forget it is there, costs a lot more, about twice the price of the DR5000 but very, very reliable. Be careful and do not confuse the z21 and Z21 they have different capabilities and you should consider the Z21 (which is black) and not the z21 (which is white) for future automation. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RFS Posted April 2, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 2, 2020 42 minutes ago, chaplin said: Thanks for your reply. The automation side of things is something I would like to have as an option that is already 'built in' rather than something I will be looking to achieve from the outset. If you're considering automation as a future development then I would recommend you at least build that option into the track layout from the outset. Automation requires that the layout is divided into blocks to enable train detection, with these blocks being electrically isolated from each other via IRJs at least on one rail. So working out your block layout and including the IRJs will save a great deal of work later on as all you will need to do is replace the direct track feeds to the blocks via feeds from occupancy detectors. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaplin Posted April 2, 2020 Author Share Posted April 2, 2020 What would be a good point motor to use with the Z21? I have seen the cobalt ones but nobody has them in stock or any idea when they might be coming in. What other alternatives are there? Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveArkley Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 1 hour ago, chaplin said: You may have sold me on the Z21. Just watching youtube reviews now but the Digikeijs seems to have some reliability issues. I've just 'upgraded' from a DR5000 to a Z21 because the Digikeijs was having intermittent connection problems. The USB socket has splayed and the programming track outputs no longer work .This is probably because I was plugging/unplugging a lot. The Z21 seems much more robust. Since I was already using WiFi Maus, Profi-Boss and phone/tablet throttles with the Digikeijs nothing new to learn or purchase on the throttle front. Cheers Dave 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMorrison Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 1 hour ago, chaplin said: What would be a good point motor to use with the Z21? I have seen the cobalt ones but nobody has them in stock or any idea when they might be coming in. What other alternatives are there? Regards I am great advocate for the MTB MP1 now (Rather than Cobalt IP Digitals which I also have), super motor, almost silent and very easy to set up. You can drive 8 off them with one DR4018 from Digikeijs. https://www.dcctrainautomation.co.uk/mp1-point-switch.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveArkley Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, chaplin said: What would be a good point motor to use with the Z21? I have seen the cobalt ones but nobody has them in stock or any idea when they might be coming in. What other alternatives are there? Regards I'm using a mixture of Cobalt Digital motors and servos, the later driven by MagaPoints servo boards . The Cobalts are pre-iP motors and are showing their age. Both these and the Megapoint controllers attach directly to the DCC bus so are Control Station agnostic. Cheers Dave Edited April 2, 2020 by DaveArkley Spleeing mistooks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMorrison Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 10 minutes ago, DaveArkley said: I'm using a mixture of Cobalt Digital motors and servos, the later driven by MagaPoints servo boards . The Cobalts are pre-iP motors and are showing their age. Both these and the Megapoint controllers attach directly to the DCC bus so are Control Station agnostic. Cheers Dave the Cobalt IP Digitals are current and recent in design. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grriff Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 An alternative, since you seem happy with computer control is a SPROG linked to JMRI on a computer. JMRI will also control points, although I'm using a pulsed decoder from MERG, which is obviously not plug and play. You can also use a smartphone to control locos and points. Before you buy, go to a dealer specialising in DCC kit. Ask to see the manuals and see how to change the address of a locomotive, which you will have to do with any new loco/decoder. It will give you a feel as to how easy it is to use. Similarly, look at what kit to buy if you want to control points. Costs can quickly mount up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMorrison Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 He will find that iTrain which will be running on his compouter to automate the layout has a very capable decoder programming capability built in which will enable him to program his locos. Also if he decides to buy a Z21 or DR5000 they both have computer interfaces that make programming locos easy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpendle Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 Hi, Another vote for the Z21 (Black). Not the cheapest but rock solid, and it will do everything you need even if you don't get round to automation. One fallacy to put to rest. Buying equipment from a single supplier does not mean that everything will be easier, it's best to buy the kit that best does the job. As long as it conforms to the various standards then it should work. Regards, John P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RFS Posted April 2, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 2, 2020 5 hours ago, chaplin said: What would be a good point motor to use with the Z21? I have seen the cobalt ones but nobody has them in stock or any idea when they might be coming in. What other alternatives are there? Regards I use Tortoise motors with NCE Switch-8 accessory decoders. Rock-solid reliability which is what you need with automation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaplin Posted April 2, 2020 Author Share Posted April 2, 2020 It seems Cobalt. Tortoise and the MP1 point motors are all unavailable. I may look at servo operated ones again. The Z21 however has been ordered and is on it's way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMorrison Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 (edited) The are all delayed in delivery due to the shipping from China stopping for a period and Europe now being locked down For servos I use a DR4024 to drive mine (used on level crossing barriers), other driver units are available and for mounts make sure you get ones that allow you to mount micro-switches on them that are activated by the servo to switch the frog. All in all not plug and play - personally I would wait for the right units to become available Edited April 2, 2020 by WIMorrison Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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