Shedmaster Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 (edited) Good Morning all, Would anybody happen to know or have experience with the Black Roco Z21 system and the reasons that may cause it to not be able to modify DCC decoders? My Z21 is being used with RTR OO models and shop bought decoders. I've had a couple of situations where I try to change maybe the Loco number or do a factory reset and it comes back with either a programming error or just won't accept changes. I haven't locked anything that I know of but find that some chips just won't behave. I have been using Hattons 8 pin space saver chips and a friend of mine has also been having the same results. Any help, advice or pointers would be very much appreciated. This Z21 is a new system and I would absolutely swear by it, but feel I'm missing something here in how I'm using it? Kindest Regards, Shed. ps..I’m certain the wheels and track are clean Etc.... Edited November 24, 2020 by Shedmaster Readback checks... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMorrison Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 I assume that you are using the app to change the CVs? you need to use the Manual option of the 3 choices for CV setting and when place the loco on your programming track the blue light will turn green to signify that you are programming. you can also connect to the Z21 using your PC and use the Maint Tool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shedmaster Posted November 25, 2020 Author Share Posted November 25, 2020 On 24/11/2020 at 07:45, WIMorrison said: I assume that you are using the app to change the CVs? you need to use the Manual option of the 3 choices for CV setting and when place the loco on your programming track the blue light will turn green to signify that you are programming. you can also connect to the Z21 using your PC and use the Maint Tool. Hi, Many Thanks for your help, will be trying this tonight and also sharing with my pal, to see if we can get this sorted. Kindest Regards, Shed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Try using the PC Maintenance tool, this seems to work fine for me. Stay safe, Neil 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shedmaster Posted November 25, 2020 Author Share Posted November 25, 2020 2 hours ago, Neils WRX said: Try using the PC Maintenance tool, this seems to work fine for me. Stay safe, Neil Hi, I'd forgotten about this and have been experimenting this evening, only to find something else out. When I set cv8 to 8 to reset a chip, the Z21 says unable to do so, programming error. The loco then becomes unresponsive. By turning the Z21 completely off at the mains and back on again, voila! The Decoder is back to factory default. Strange, but true... I can stop assuming defective chips now at least! Thankyou again for your help.... Kindest Regards, Shed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neils WRX Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 In my early days of DCC i threw a decoder away as i assumed I had killed it..... Again this was with programming from a Z21 and Ipad. I just use the maintenance tool now or ESU Lok Programmer. Stay safe, Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpendle Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 Hi, Which Z21 app are you using? The old one, Red loco icon, or the new one, Z21 on a black background. I am using the new one and have no problems programming CV's on the programming track. Regards, John P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shedmaster Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 3 hours ago, jpendle said: Hi, Which Z21 app are you using? The old one, Red loco icon, or the new one, Z21 on a black background. I am using the new one and have no problems programming CV's on the programming track. Regards, John P John P, I'm admittedly using the old version of the app and haven't updated this or the Z21 firmware since I bought it ages ago. I don't buy this having to turn the whole system off to apply a factory reset to a chip, I always thought I could just lift the loco off the track for a few minutes to drain all the power out of the chip, then place the loco back on the rails a little while later. Okay, so I'll get my system updated and expect this WILL help.... Many Thanks, Kindest Regards, Shed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMorrison Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 The Z21 should also be updated to cure several issues that there were in the previous version. You can do this from your phone using the Z21 Updater App Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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