Roco Z21 Throttle questions.

[amdaley]

Hello Everyone.

This question relates to using different throttles with the Z21.
I have heard rightly or wrongly that you can use some NCE throttles with the Z21 using the sniffer bus.
Is this correct ?
What other systems / throttles can be used with the Z21 ?

Any information will be gratefully received.

Thanks.
Regards.
Tony.

[PaulRhB]

It’s not listed on the official list here so I’m not sure what you can do with the sniffer bus. 

 

https://www.z21.eu/media/Kwc_Basic_DownloadTag_Component/root-en-main_47-661-310-665-313-downloadTag-download/default/45d3330f/1536565785/z21-black-en.pdf

 

[RFS]

I use the Lenz LH-101 throttle with my Z21 and it works just fine. 

[Ron Ron Ron]

4 hours ago, amdaley said:

......I have heard rightly or wrongly that you can use some NCE throttles with the Z21 using the sniffer bus.
Is this correct ?
 

 

The sniffer bus port allows you to connect the DCC track output of almost any DCC system and use that system and its throttles, as input devices on the Z21.

You can't just use the throttles on their own, unless supported on the Z21 through the X-Bus and L-Bus ports.

 

In the case of NCE kit, you'd have to connect the track output of either the PowerCab's PCP panel, or the track output of the PH Pro or any booster being used, into the sniffer bus port..

In other words, you'd have to fire up the whole NCE system, to just use their Throttles on the Z21.

You can't just plug a PowerPro or PowerCab handset directly into the Z21.

 

 

3 hours ago, RFS said:

I use the Lenz LH-101 throttle with my Z21 and it works just fine. 

 

Indeed, like other supported throttles, the LH101 can plug straight into the Z21, without having to use the Lenz system as an intermediary.

 

 

 

.

Edited February 3, 2023 by Ron Ron Ron

[amdaley]

29 minutes ago, Ron Ron Ron said:

 

The sniffer bus port allows you to connect the DCC track output of almost any DCC system and use that system and its throttles, as input devices on the Z21.

You can't just use the throttles on their own, unless supported on the Z21 through the X-Bus and L-Bus ports.

 

In the case of NCE kit, you'd have to connect the track output of either the PowerCab's PCP panel, or the track output of the PH Pro or any booster being used, into the sniffer bus port..

In other words, you'd have to fire up the whole NCE system, to just use their Throttles on the Z21.

You can't just plug a PowerPro or PowerCab handset directly into the Z21.

 

 

 

Indeed, like other supported throttles, the LH101 can plug straight into the Z21, without having to use the Lenz system as an intermediary.

 

 

 

.

Thanks for that information.

It's really informative.

I'd searched everywhere for that information.

So the track output from the NCE system is simply looped through the Z21 using the sniffer bus ?

Can you control the output of an NCE system on the Z21 using the Z21 app ? 

Tony.

[Ron Ron Ron]

23 minutes ago, amdaley said:

…...So the track output from the NCE system is simply looped through the Z21 using the sniffer bus ?

 

No it isn’t “looped through”.

The sniffer facility allows the system with that feature (the Z21 in this case), to “eavesdrop” or listen to the DCC commands being transmitted by the other system (NCE in this example).

It uses the information to retransmit its own commands.

That other’ system’s track output doesn’t go anywhere.
 

 

23 minutes ago, amdaley said:

……..Can you control the output of an NCE system on the Z21 using the Z21 app ? 

 

No.

The sniffer function is a one way street.

Using the Z21 and NCE as examples….

The Z21 will copy the NCE’s commands that it “hears” through the sniffer bus and retransmits them itself.

No feedback is passed back to the NCE system.

There is no communication from the Z21 to the NCE system

If the NCE system was equipped with a sniffer bus, it would be possible to use the Z21 and it’s throttles (both physical and using the app) to send commands into the NCE system.

However, being a geriatric 30 year old design, it doesn’t have that feature…so you can’t.

 

 

.

[amdaley]

 

Thanks for that information.

Much obliged.

Regards.

Tony.