Z21 and Itrain

[Stevio778]

You should see the other tracks 🤣 

yeah I’m gonna get me one of those. It’s on my Santa list. I tried some insulated joiners and thought it would be easier just to cut the track ( by the way the track I cut on my test rig was stuck down) 

I held this track with one hand whilst cutting it with a cutting disk. The only problem I foresee with that saw is I only want to cut one rail not go across and cut two 

chow 

[Michael Hodgson]

1 hour ago, melmerby said:

That's awful☹️

 

Might I suggest one of these?:

https://gb.jbtools.com/x-acto-x75300-precision-razor-saw-set/

 

However I'm not sure why you needed to do such a brutal cut as that - two lengths of track joined with one rail metal joiner, one rail plastic joiner.

or you could use one of these preferably before the track is pinned down

https://www.heamar.co.uk/cutters/41773-xuron-2175b-track-cutter-615265901858.html

Edited December 11, 2023 by Michael Hodgson

[Stevio778]

Hello again. I'm fitting the MP5 point motors to my test layout now. It won't surprise you that I can't seem to get them to operate. Mind you it did once when I switched everything back on after wiring the Power AC/DC terminals from the Signal Input terminals. I've set the points to be operated using number 1 in the setup panel.

[WIMorrison]

Have you adjusted the Z21 to use the RCN-213 as per this image? 

 

 

If you haven't then the turnout numbering is out by 4, this means that when you switch 'one' you are actually switching 'five' ;)

 

[Stevio778]

No I’ll have a look thanks Iain 

[Stevio778]

HI Iain, I've not installed the Maintenance Tool yet but I've altered 1 to 5 on the Z21 app and It's worked a treat, marvellous! thanks so much. It seems a bit quirky to me that the Z21 has been set up this way.

Thanks once again!

[WIMorrison]

Not really quirky, it was because the original DCC standard issued was ambiguous on where the address started, and it could be read as bit 0, 1, or 2 and it was cleared up with RCN 213.

[Stevio778]

Thank goodness for RCN 213 😀

got all 4 point motors working now and switched the numbering over with the maintenance tool all points opening and closing. Just one more to fit which will be a surface mount one 

cheers 

[Stevio778]

I thought this was a bit strange as well I went to update the firmware on the YD8116 and it says the update is an older version than current?

[Stevio778]

Now here's a funny thing. I'm in the process now of setting up iTrain I've got the loco's running around on manual operation and just setting up the point motors now. It looks as though it's doing the offset thing of 4, so point address 1 becomes 5. In fact when I click on point 1 in iTrain point 5 springs into life.

But the RCN 213 box in iTrain is checked. I've also tried unchecking it but to no avail.

Thanks!

Edited December 20, 2023 by Stevio778

[WIMorrison]

You change the RCN in either the Z21 (best place) or in iTrain but not both.

[Stevio778]

I was just thinking that but as I said I did uncheck the box in Itrain. But I’ll have a play with it thanks Iain 

[WIMorrison]

but did you uncheck the box, save and close iTrain and restart?

[Stevio778]

I didn't close and restart but they are working now with the correct addresses the only thing is some are showing open in iTrain but on the test track they are closed. How do i alter this? 

I think I may have cracked it thanks!  I've swopped outputs!

Edited December 20, 2023 by Stevio778
update

[WIMorrison]

Swap the red and Green round in the iTrain turnout definition - or swap the wires around on the motors, or swap them on the 8116

[Stevio778]

As you can see my test track has 3 ovals and a siding. Do I need to set up Track Routes in iTrain or can I just set up the Feedbacks/occupancy? and blocks?

There's one feedback in each oval and one in the sidings.

Edited December 21, 2023 by Stevio778

[WIMorrison]

It depends on what you want to do whether you will use track routes or trains routes, also depends on whether you have working feedbacks or not.

 

may I suggest that you watch the series of videos that Bob Fuller and I created for iTrain. You will find them all on iTrain - but they should be watched in conjunction with reading the manual, they are not a substitute for the manual.

 

you will also get much better support for iTrain on the iTrain forum than you will get here.

[Stevio778]

OK thanks, yes I am watching you excellence vids. I have working feedbacks and want full automation of the trains going from one area to another etc

Edited December 21, 2023 by Stevio778

[Stevio778]

How do I make a post on the iTrain forum, can't see a post button?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[WIMorrison]

[Stevio778]

For some reason it doesn't look as though I can post. Don't know why I'm a fully paid up member?

[WIMorrison]

write to iTrain@berros.eu and ask for login

[Stevio778]

I've managed to find it now lol Ta

[5BarVT]

You can’t post until you go down one more level.  Select the area on that page and the next page should let you post.

Paul.

[Stevio778]

Hi guys just made a quick vid of my progress with my new test layout for you all. A big thank you to everyone. I certainly couldn’t have got this far without your help. 

Thanks! 

Steve