Midnight-Freight

40 minutes ago, APT Fan said:

 

I think you'll need 10 outputs. Originally I thought it was 8 but forgot about the fans (2off). So the outputs would be 1 x Tail lights, 1 X Front lights, 1 X Head Light, 1 Cab Light - for each end. So that's 8 + 2 = 10.

 

I'm assuming all lights are independent given the switching options. I.e. Not on the same White / Yellow circuits.

 

 

Yeh that makes sense. I ignored cab lights as not bothered about those and only allowed 1 for fans. I'd hoped it was just a case of playing with cv's to assign the correct functions to the appropriate feature but I'm not too clued up on all this so I guess it's not that simple.

32 minutes ago, RBE said:

You should be able to access the functions on any DCC decoder, however the Hattons 66 decoder is set up for that particular loco so why would it work correctly with the 56?

I don't know, hence my question whether it could be used for the 6 functions it supports.

45 minutes ago, Pendle Forest said:

Somewhat miffed.  Having bought DCC Ready and then finding out the decoders need to be specially formatted, I've been trying to source one.  A supplier has said they can send me a Bachmann alternative but that there is a charge for the formating.  I don't see why!  This seems like a slightly underhand service charge. I was sold something that is DCC Ready... I.e. put a decoder in and it should work.  There was no mention it was any different to any other 21pin decoder loco. Now I'm being charged for the privilege of accessing the functions because its non-standard - pay the charge or you can't have.  Taken the edge off what's otherwise a brilliant model

This is what I was questioning a little earlier in the thread. I have a Hattons decoder taken from my factory fitted dcc fitted class 66 which I believe is 6 function. I only have working headlight and marker lights which is presumably 3 functions so if there's a way to assign the remaining 3 to tail lights and fan that would be ideal but I'm unsure if/how to do this.

23 minutes ago, RBE said:

That's not really the case. Basic functions work with any decoder. You only need the programmed one if you want proper controllable lighting functions. 

Sorry, maybe I've misunderstood. I'm not too worried about full control. I'd be happy with the tail lights working

7 hours ago, RBE said:

Lighting is loco specific. You will not get correctly operating lighting unless you purchase a pre programmed decoder. If the dip switches are set for a standard decoder or DC you will get basic lighting only.

Ok, I must have missed that info when I pre-ordered. It does make the £189 DCC ready option seem a bit pointless if you then have to buy a separate decoder to get something as basic as tail lights to work though. 

I've just bought a DCC ready version and understand there are issues with the lighting when using other decoders. I've fitted mine with the Hattons decoder that came with their 66. At present I have headlight and marker lights working but no tail lights, fans or cab lights. Given the extra lighting functions the Hattons 66 had am I likely to be able to get the remaining functions working and if so could anyone offer any advice on how to go about setting it up?

Well I'm not sure what I had done wrong but went over everything again and double checked all settings and it's now connected. Will have a play around with it later. Thanks for all the help.

54 minutes ago, WIMorrison said:

Reset z21 to defaults - hold down button on front until the blue light changes purple and let it go then try again

Already tried that to no avail. I'll try a new ethernet cable tomorrow, although mine appears to work one of the connections isn't great.

48 minutes ago, jpendle said:

To make sure that you've changed the address on your laptop to 192.168.0.100 ping that instead.

ping 192.168.0.100

You should get an immediate response, if you don't look at your laptop settings again.

Don't forget that to change your laptop's address you'll need to turn of DHCP and tell it to use a fixed address.

 

FWIW this is nothing to do with the age of the laptop.

 

Regards,

 

John P

Yes I get an immediate response doing that

Ok, I'd sort of come to the same conclusion after a bit of reading. I've changed the IP address to the one above but every time I try to ping the z21 IP address it comes back as destination host unreachable. Maybe my laptop is just too old (about 12 years) to be compatible

4 hours ago, WIMorrison said:

Have you confirmed that the firewall is not blocking the access?

 

yiu need to have port 21105 open to 192.168.0.111 and your laptop address needs to be in the range 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.253.

 

try disabling the firewall and see if it connects - only takes 5 mins so very little threat window.

Thanks for your response. I had already tried disabling the firewall and have checked it's not blocking it. Autoconfig

IP address of my laptop is 169.254.127.89 is that ok or do I need to disable autoconfig?

I'm not sure what to check regarding port 21105?

I'm trying to establish a connection between my laptop and z21 start to update the firmware but can't get them to communicate. I've followed the instructions in the manual to set the IP address but keep getting the "Could not communicate with digital switchboard" error whenever I try to connect. My laptop is quite old and slow but is running Windows 10. So far I have:

Established a wired internet connection to my router so know the cable and ethernet port are working

Tried disabling Windows defender and checking the z21 programme is allowed through the firewall

Lan port on the z21 is showing a green light

Checked for Windows updates and updates for the ethernet controller

Tried to ping the IP address but get no response

Checked network settings, the laptop recognises that an unknown device is connected

I'm not sure if there's more to setting up a static IP connection than what's in the z21 instructions and I've missed something but any suggestions welcome.

I have a Bachmann class 66 with a Hornby tts chip in it. At the time of buying I also bought an I phone speaker as an upgrade on the one Hornby supply. I know the tts sounds aren't supposed to be premium but the 66 isn't too bad I don't think. I don't need more volume, and bass isn't the issue as they aren't really a bassy engine sound. Just thought there might be better options out there now as this was a few years ago.

If I was to try and install the sound decoder into a Bachmann non-dcc ready class 08 would I be best off fitting a 8 pin socket and using the 8 pin decoder or can it be hard wired? I'd like to add the power pack as well and not sure how easy it would be to fit everything in. 

It would be a shame if there wasn't another run. I was fortunate in that the one I bought was a goodun and I love it. With Bachmann updating their 37 and 47 I wonder if they're already working on a new 66. Hopefully Dapol's 59 will be a decent alternative.

I'm looking at fitting stay alive to my Bachmann 08 but if I could fit tts as well that would be great. Can you just confirm how you wired the stay alive into the tts chip please?

I'm looking into fitting stay alive to my Bachmann class 08 which is currently hard wired with a Lenz 8 pin chip. Am I right in thinking I can use the spare blue wire as the + and the - leg from the bridge rectifier, which I presume is the component at the bottom with the + and - legs? Any advice welcome.

Can anyone suggest alternatives to the usual suppliers of photo backscenes? Whilst I've found a couple I like the look of they are slightly too short for my layout.  I need one ideally 4000mm, as opposed to the usual 2700ish I've been looking at. My other option is to buy two the same and chop it about a bit.

6 minutes ago, Trains4U said:

As previously stated 

all versions are available to pre-order with us, with no deposit required.

 

(link to the order form is on our homepage)

 

www.Trains4U.com

I have the Colas version on pre-order with you. If I were to change my mind at some point and go for the DC Rail one would it be a major issue? I'm torn between the two...

1 hour ago, Hilux5972 said:

Given that Hattons have said, in this months Hornby Magazine, the issues with this first batch will be rectified with future batches, I fail to see what areas could be improved on. 

I was just thinking out loud really but given the price point of the top spec 47 if that's the direction Bachmann are taking they may well feel there are new features or improvements they could introduce. Also if it were to happen the decision would likely have been made long before Hatton's confirmed there would be another batch of their model. As I say I'm merely speculating out of curiosity.

I know this is the Hatton's thread but given Bachmann's recent announcement of a new high-end class  47, which appears to have been in the pipeline for a few years I wonder if they've looked at doing the same with their own 66 and raising the bar a little further still.

As a keen runner and fitness enthusiast myself I love reading stories like this. There's no bigger motivator than when your health is at risk but it shouldn't be underestimated how much mental strength and willpower is required to do what you're doing and you should be immensely proud of what you have already achieved. It can soon become addictive when you begin to see the results of your efforts, especially when you start running and using Strava! Whilst it's not always plain sailing, as long as you look at it as a long term change of lifestyle it's a great journey to go on. Well done on what you've already done and look forward to reading about your progress.

At the recent naming ceremony for 69002, Bob Tiller, who the loco is named after and who revealed the nameplate was handed a model of the loco that looked 00 gauge size. I wonder if this was a one off or a clue that the Bachmann model is quite advanced.

Hi, I have an older non-dcc ready Bachmann 08 with a Lenz decoder hard wired in. I'm thinking of adding stay alive to give more reliable running. I wondered if anyone could advise on how to select which stay alive unit to use or ideally could recommend a product they have used. I'm unsure of the exact decoder I fitted and wasn't sure if that had any relevance?  I'm aware the stay alive unit will have to be positioned in the cab.

Many thanks

57 minutes ago, Trains4U said:

I’ve already mentioned to Alex that I’m expecting the sound fitted version to sound like the world is ending in a cacophony of throbbing bass and screaming turbos… 

so no pressure!

 

(to answer your question, I believe an EM2 is specified for sound versions)

Will it be possible to change my pre-order from DCC fitted to sound once pricing has been confirmed?