NickC

Make the reversing loops from A - C and from D - F

if you use Digikeijs DR5013 reversers everything will work with iTrain

13 hours ago, Michanglais said:

 

I got my response, it was regarding VAT given that I live in France. 

 

Apparently, Hornby will be deducting UK VAT at check-out. I'm quite surprised they're not VAT registered in France - would save the customs handling fee but at least I won't be paying VAT twice...

 

According to their website (https://support.Hornby.com/hc/en-gb/articles/4403093130770-New-improved-and-easier-ordering-from-EU-countries#h_01F9EJFTASBXC5GKWJKRCBEP8F) they are VAT registered in France.

I use the most current IOS app (v1.4.6) on an iPad Air 3rd gen in schematic mode and the mimic panel expands, contracts and stays there and locks just fine.

3 hours ago, rogerzilla said:

They use linepacking now (and have done for decades).  Basically, you just increase the pressure in the main pipelines overnight.  This is fine for short-term supply smoothing but the UK has next to no long term gas storage, which is why we are where we are in prices compared to other countries.

Today the current Dutch TTF spot price for gas (European benchmark)  is around €195 per Mwh. The equivalent UK price is 355p per Therm which equates to around €145 per Mwh. Contrary to what some people try to suggest, UK gas prices, though unbelievable expensive, are, and have been for months, cheaper than those in Germany, Holand etc. 

On 26/07/2022 at 09:07, meil said:

Alternatively buy a SPROG and download DecoderPro.

 

Far and away the easiest way to programme locos.

DecoderPro works quite happily with a Z21 (and a z21) - assuming you have PC to run DecoderPro on! But this isn’t the issue at hand…

16 hours ago, WIMorrison said:

There is a new version of the iOS app (1.4.3) on the App Store and I advise you NOT to download it because you will not be able to operate your layout because it presents a white screen with no way of accessing any of the controls.

 

the same may apply to the android versions

iOS app V1.4.4 now available. Seems to have resolved 1.4.3’s white screen problem 

4 hours ago, KingEdwardII said:

 

As for plastic rail joiners - one down side is that they are much less rigid than metal ones and you have to work hard to avoid a kink if joining rails on a curve.

 

You could try dccconcepts new insulated joiners, they claim to be much more rigid than the Peco ones

https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/ros-legacy-track-insulated-joiners-code-100-oo-pack-of-25/

DCCConcepts also sell tillig oo/oo9 track

https://www.dccconcepts.com/product-category/track-and-track-making-parts/tillig-elite-track-and-pointwork/tillig-hoe-and-hohoe-dual-gauge-track-and-pointwork/

I see that the Z21 app is still at v1.4.2 

On 14/10/2021 at 16:32, Mick Rogers said:

Roco have issued version 1.4.2 of the Z21 app for iOS. It doesn’t fix the problems described above.

A month has gone by and I see that the Z21 app is still at v1.4.2.
Does the problem still exist with IOS now at v15.1?

Apple are now pushing it as an upgrade for all ipads and iphones.

On 22/10/2021 at 16:51, jpendle said:

You can use the same address for both point or use separate addresses and then use routes in the Z21 app.

I used 1 address for 2 points but couldn't work out how to get the Z21 to show both points switching, just one point would change in the app, but both points moved on the layout.

This does happen when the app is not connected to the Z21, but when the app is connected to the Z21 both points in the app will change simultaneously (or at least it does on mine).

After trying various different decoders my personal choice is as follows:

• If a stay alive is not needed, Zimo every time
• If a stay alive is needed, TCS Kam4 (decoder with integrated stay alive) if there is space or Zimo if you’re happy with more soldering

both support Railcom which I use with my Z21 controller 

I wonder if anybody can help me; I am looking at the DR5088RC manual and is shows:

1. Railcom Detector 1 - 8
2. Railcom Global Detector
3. Railcom Detector 9 - 16

Can anybody explain what is meant by 'Global Detector'? and what is the difference between it and the other 16 Railcom Detectors?

Can i simply use it as a 17th feedback with Railcom or is it for something special?

Thanks in advance

Nick

On 06/08/2020 at 10:17, melmerby said:

Really?

At least 3 different computers (maybe more) with two different operating systems (various versions of each) with all the variation in drivers for completely different hardware.(Gigabyte, MSI, and others)

AMD processors, Intel Processors, Intel, AMD & nVidia graphics processors, different port drivers etc. etc.

Also Train Animator is the only program to have done that.

yes, really.
Given your scenarios he is probably making use of an old outdated API call which is still available for backwards capability purposes but is no longer being updated and contains a bug which he happens to hit.
One of the problems with writing software for Windows is that periodically you have to bite the bullet and make changes to your software to use the newer generations of API calls rather than continuing to use the older deprecated ones.

10 hours ago, melmerby said:

I know a bug, which I assume is in Train Animator which I have reproduced in several versions and have done it on several different PCs but Herr Freiwald wouldn't accept it.

It's to do with memory handling when loading images into Train Animator.

 A Fatal Exception occurs if you use a very large folder for the images to be imported from, which already has lots of other various types of files in and Windows 10 and 7 crash with a BSOD.

I got around the problem by setting up a seperate folder with the jpg images for TA to import, then it's happy.

Application code should not be able to crash windows, that is a basic tenant of the operating system. A total Windows crash is caused by a bug within Windows itself or more likely a bug in a device driver that is being exposed by the application. Crash information should have been recorded in the system or application event log and either you or Herr Friewald should report it to Microsoft with relevant information as they are the only people who could fix it. 

Thanks Iain

It would appear that the Z21, using the Z21 specific .zsu file, can be used to program zimo decoders that have not been bought from Roco if they are of a type that Roco sell.
Nick 

Iain, are you using the Roco specific download file from zimo for the Z21?
I loaded ‘Roco_Z21_200110.zsu’ into the maintenance tool and was able to reprogram all my MX600 decoders to the latest firmware version without a problem. Like you i am using Z21 black with firmware 1.33

regards

Nick

I have iTrain,  a Z21 (black) and a DR5088RC connected via loconet.
I can confirm that the HST and Class 800 dummy power cars  both Trigger the DR5088RC’s occupancy detection and iTrain also sees the decoder number via Railcom. I am using Zimo MX600 decoders.

hope this helps

Nick

Im using the latest IOS version (1.3.2) and the new ‘Schematic’ layout type. If the Z21 is switched on and the app is connected then both animations for a linked pair of turnouts switch when one is pressed (both turnouts switch correctly too). If the app is not connected to the Z21 then only the animation touched changes. When testing did you have the app connected to your Z21? 

V1.3.1 now available for iPad, just download it but haven’t had a chance to check it out. Appears to contain an optional new designer for the control station which looks more like a mimic panel., 

It is worth pointing out that the wheelbase of the Rushton is shorter than the length of the dead section of Hornby’s express points and curved points thus on its own it simply cannot cross these points. Adding the ‘match truck’ resolves this problem. (Now before someone says something I know none of us on here use Hornby express or curved points, but some People do)

DCC ready means they contain a socket to allow a DCC decoder chip of your choice to be fitted by you. If they came ready fitted with a DCC decoder they would be termed DCC Fitted.

Are you sure that even a MX616N will actually fit?

I will open mine up again tomorrow and check just how much space is actually available once the ‘blanking plate’ Is removed.

Edit

Having taken a look, yes I think the MX616N will just fit.

37 minutes ago, highpeakman said:

 

No, my connector is exactly where it is shown in your photo. I would think they are all the same.

 

I think it should be quite straightforward to fit a decoder if you are using the recommended Hornby decoder. 

You were right in that Hornby's idea, as shown, is that you remove the dc board (probably have to take the plastic surround off first). The Hornby encoder then fits down into the front slot and the wires from that go to the connector which is now mounted in the slot alongside the motor.

 

My problem arises from the fact that I am trying to use a Zimo 6 pin which makes it difficult without some modifications.

With the connector in the wrong place it will not be possible to fit the Hornby decoder either because the wires from the connector are not long enough to allow the socket to be moved enough to fit the Hornby decoder into the front slot.

This looks to be a general manufacturing fault ad I now know of 3 Westminsters with the incorrectly fitted socket. I’ll be interested to see if anybody else posts...

13 minutes ago, highpeakman said:

 

You are quite right. My mistake, should have looked longer and harder! 

 

I looked at the plug on the side.My problem is that the Zimo is a 6 pin out rather than a cable so the plug is mounted directly on it which makes the decoder too tall when it is fitted. 

 

I will spend some more time on the puzzle later today but am wondering about buying the Hornby decoder but I like my Zimos.

So is your connector on the side where the leaflet shows it should be or is it in the front slot as mine is. I’m trying to find out if I have a one-off build error or whether all of them are like mine. As it is, it’s impossible to fit a decoder without hard-wiring it so I’m sending mine back. If mine is a one off I’ll ask for a replacement. If they are all like that then there is no point and I would have to go for the DCC fitted one instead.