philg

Glad you got sorted in the end

And they had none? I got mine from A&H, but they show no stock either - but they might know why not….

https://www.kmsrailtech.co.uk/home/14872-lenz-80210-update-stick-for-lzv200-version-40-software-4044955201101.html

It’s been available for a while. Mine was upgraded 12 months ago!

Because of the issues around “logic vs full power” outputs on 21 pin decoders, I gave up getting anything other than ESU decoders to work correctly The wiring in AS models is designed around ESU, so it’s easier to follow suit My preference is always Zimo, but now I have a mix of Zimo & ESU…….

Can't beleive I'm having issues with something that should be so simple! Has anyone else used a Zimo MX820E accessory decoder with a RocoLine 42620 analogue point motor? I have two point motors. One only switches one way, the other doesn't seem to switch at all. (The first one does work on two 9v batteries, but the second may actually be dead, although it's brand new) I'm definitely getting a healthy 11-12v out of the MX820E, but maybe that's not enough?? Oh, and I know Roco do digital point motors, but I'm not totally happy with them tbh Thanks Phil G

Interesting, but may be overkill for the occasional user….. Thanks though

Don’t really fancy all that SMD soldering……. Wish I could just buy one from somewhere……

Yes, but I’d rather buy not build…

OK, question for those of you with LONG DCC memories Aeons ago I stumbled across "SoftSniff" for DCC. This is an awesomely simple DCC packet sniffer It connected to the mic input of a pc (remember those?) and had a SIMPLE three component connection to the track. A program then ran on Windows to analyze the DCC packets SNAG IS, becasue it was so long ago it only runs on Windows XP. My aged Win8 machine is able to run a virtual WinXP so I can get SoftSniff to run fine there, but I don't think this Win8 machine has a long life I've never been able to get a virtual WInXP to start on my current Win10 laptop - and it doesn't have a mic input anyway (just USB-Cs) SO Does anyone know of a cheap DCC packet sniffer that would run either on a Win 10 pc or on a RasPi?? Cheers

Wish you’d got ore-orders for decoders. I’d snap your hand off (in a nice way) for a class 66 one 😉

Pretty sure Accurascale will have decoders to buy later. If you do go “third party”, I’d still suggest ESU. They’re not my personal favourite, but Accurascale design their electronics around ESU, so always the “safe” choice

No Aldi or Lidl on the Isle of Man ☹️

The accessories are overkill, but for holes in wood, I was looking at this - SabreCut CraftMate SCMG002UK Lithium Ion 10.8v Cordless Rotary Tool Multipurpose with 42 Accessories Included https://amzn.eu/d/0tQhpnu

I’m just about to embark on some serious track laying, and as the plan might not be 100% permanent, I’ll be screwing the track down So, I’ll be drilling a LOT of pilot holes for the screws Thinking I’d just get a basic rechargeable mini drill to avoid trailing cables But I can’t seem to find such a thing! Do they exist? I’m really surprised if not So, any suggestions welcomed Thanks Phil G

I’m not sure Hornby are interested in working with anyone else. They’re much happier trying to be a monopoly. Very short sighted imho

Well, the diagram looks right, but the part numbers are wrong! Finally, after much head scratching I realised that a Tillig TT point is ALWAYS followed by a "BG5" compensating straight (with a ballast cutout to accomodate the ballast on the diverging let) SO, a point + a BG5 actually DOES equal a standard BG1 straight (129.5mm + 36.5mm = 166mm). So it actually does make "kind of sense" Where it gets REALLY hokey is when you try and pair two adjacent points to make a crossover BG4 + point + BG5(compensated) + BG3 + BG3 + BG3 equals BG3 + BG3 + BG3 + BG5(compensated) + point + BG4 Obviously :) AND you'd hope this would be a multiple of the standard (166mm) straight - but it's not Phil G

I’m using Tilligs TT roadbed track (this stuff https://www.tillig.com/eng/Bettungsgleissysteme_Gleise-Seite-2.html ) as simple HOm track - and it works great But Their geometry is weird to say the least. Normally a point/turnout is the same length as a “standard straight” - but not here So I’m trying to work out how to construct a crossover (two like-handed points toe-to-tie) and which straight track sections I need to even up the ends! Pretty sure someone must have done this, but all the geometry pics I can find in the web are for much more complicated constructions Thanks for any insights Phil G

Of course, I really meant Freightmaster. Oops https://www.excaliburauctions.com/auction/lot/lot-440---a-tri-ang-Hornby-oo-gauge-the-freightmaster/?lot=12973&so=0&st=&sto=0&au=18&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=1&pp=48&pn=10&g=1

If AccuraScale did an original greed D5572, I wonder how many folks “of a certain age” would buy one to remember their first train set?! I love my Freightliner set - and a long and slippery slope began 🤣🤣🎉 I’d probably buy one

I’d certainly go for a TOPS skinhead. Had many a run behind 31 418 from Newcastle to Sunderland 🤪

Agreed- I think we’ll have to just disagree and be on BUT i wasn’t asking for decoder configuration advice/info - I just needed to know WHICH AUX outputs were used for which lights. Without THAT info, getting the lights to work is pure guesswork You’re also right that not many other manufacturers provide this information, but that doesn’t make it right. When there were only 2 or 3 lighting outputs, it hardly mattered. Now it does

Yes I did reach out, and the answers were incomplete. imho a DCC-ready loco should be documented such that ANY appropriate decoder can be used. I find Zimos have much better slow speed running than ESU, but in the end, I DID go with an AS ESU decoder for simplicity. For sound decoders, of course I use the AS supplied ones though

Glad to see this. This information was lacking on the Deltics which meant adding our own decoders became unnecessarily complicated

But the class 20 lights DO work - they’re not cosmetic