WIMorrison

why don't you try it and see if it works then you could tell people

Have you searched Google - second hit on the list I got.

I clean my track religiously every 6 months and immediately run a 2b pencil over it. I then clean the loco wheels periodically (usually about once per month) and everything runs like clockwork (actually not like clockwork as I have 2 clocks that don’t like this heat!)

The connections supported on the Z21 are shown here 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 What protocol does the ECoS Mobile Control 2 use? if you can identify that then you will be able to identify which bus could be used.

You should the PSX-1 to protect the track bus only and feed an accessory bus directly from the z21. you then feed all the accessories - points, signals, lighting, etc from the accessory bus and the trach from its own bus. The advantages to this method are that when you get a track short e.g. overrun points, then you can still switch the point and after switching the PSX-1auto-resets and the train will start to run without the hand-of-god

Switching the polarity using the switch in the point motor (is using a reasonable motor) is much more reliable and less damaging to wheel surfaces that from juicers - which rely on the short circuit to operate.

If it is to be computer controlled then you simply make the whole loop one block which will prevent one entering and one leaving at the same time.

I wonder if people confuse Coreless with Brushless - which are most definitely not the same thing?

I have several locos that I converted to coreless motors and they all run perfectly on DCC and also when I service them (mainly clean) on DC using a Gaugemaster unit. i did find though that I playing around with the CVs when the loco was running on the layout using POM enabled me to get them running very sweetly. i only use Zimo decoders.

Rather expensive at £20 per relay - and as it comes as a pair that is £40! there are much cheaper option around that can dcc switch relays the DR4018 with switch 16 for around that same price and relays are cheap as chips.

What command station are you using?

When you say Z21 do you mean a Z21 command station or the Z21 app on a phone?

You can control 8 relays using this setup https://mrrwa.org/2016/03/16/dcc-accessory-decoder-driving-up-to-16-relays/ use Chrome or MS Edge to view and get translation to English (or you may speak Czech already Links on the page to an 8 channel relay board also.

If it wasn't clear to me then it wouldn't have been to others - plus as it had all been posted before your post was not only wrong but superfluous.

This is bad advice if it is referring to the router provider as your home wifi router because the Z21 has a hard coded address and if your home wifi uses a different subnet to that in the Z21 than it will not work and you are into a whole heap of issues - which are not complex, but very confusing if you do not understand networks, subnet and IP Address schemas. As I suggested earlier just use the kit provided by Roco and follow their instructions, they work perfectly.

the answer to your question is - depends the Z21 does not need an internet connection, it is designed for people with little or no networking knowledge and it will work just using what is in the box with the addition of a mobile phone or tablet. you simply connect the supplied router to the Z21 with the supplied cable and then connect your phone via the WiFi that is created by the Z21 router - that’s it! as you are using your phone with a SIM card to access the internet you will be able to access the net and use your Z21 at the same time Be careful on the package you buy as some of the z21 (note the little z) packages don’t come with a router supplied which is why they are a lot cheaper. later on you can connect the Z21 to your home WiFi though most people don’t find the need to do this

Should this be moved to the Computer Control part of the forum?

What do you mean short circuited the accessory decoders? Do you mean that they have simply lost their address? Also do the decoders operate the servos? That isn’t what you have said :( we need to know what type of decoders they are also.

The are all delayed in delivery due to the shipping from China stopping for a period and Europe now being locked down For servos I use a DR4024 to drive mine (used on level crossing barriers), other driver units are available and for mounts make sure you get ones that allow you to mount micro-switches on them that are activated by the servo to switch the frog. All in all not plug and play - personally I would wait for the right units to become available

He will find that iTrain which will be running on his compouter to automate the layout has a very capable decoder programming capability built in which will enable him to program his locos. Also if he decides to buy a Z21 or DR5000 they both have computer interfaces that make programming locos easy

the Cobalt IP Digitals are current and recent in design.

I am great advocate for the MTB MP1 now (Rather than Cobalt IP Digitals which I also have), super motor, almost silent and very easy to set up. You can drive 8 off them with one DR4018 from Digikeijs. https://www.dcctrainautomation.co.uk/mp1-point-switch.html

I cannot fault the Z21 - mine just ---- works To the point I completely forget it is there, costs a lot more, about twice the price of the DR5000 but very, very reliable. Be careful and do not confuse the z21 and Z21 they have different capabilities and you should consider the Z21 (which is black) and not the z21 (which is white) for future automation.

The DR5000 will certainly support the commercial offerings for automation such as LocoNet, S88 and ExpressNet. I suggest that LocoNet is the best option to stick with. Look at the Roco WiFi Multimaus to pair with the DR5000, much easier to handle (for most people) than a phone - but the phone also has its uses

The Digikeijs kit is good for the price, though you will need to buy a handset - or use your phone to operate it which would be the same for my preferred systm, the Roco Z21. If you want to do automation and want it simple then I suggest that a DR5000 as a command station and Loconet components (DR4088xx, DR5088RC) are the simplest, not quite 'plug and play' but much, much closer to it than MERG - though more expensive. The other advantage to using the Digikeijs kit is that iTrain integrates perfectly with it which MERB doesn't. you can control scenic items easily using something like a DR4018 which will give you 16 x DCC controlled switches, there are other options available based around arduino but again, not plug and play. Automation is great but I should warn you that creating a lyout and automating it never having done anything like this before can be a challenge for some people, but there is always help here