WIMorrison

this chap does a USB version, and i think he used to do a LAN version DCC USB interface

Mick, Until last week I would have agreed with you (and James). However when I gave that advice to a person last week the designer corrected me with this statement. "s88 addressing on YD6016LN is/can be on a per input individual base ;) s88 no longer need to be consecutive behind the LN-range. Even the LN range is no longer fixed. Any input can have any address." As he designs and manufactures the stuff I would accept his statements over James 😉

This is not correct for the YD6016 modules and firmware because you can number any feedback with any number. What you describe was correct for DR4088 modules. You should always use an opto-isolator on the USB when connected to YaMoRC or Digikeis modules when the layout is live - especially when you connect to the command station via USB also.

My advice would be that almost anything that has a USB or network connection will interface with iTrain but avoid some makes such as Hornby, Bachmann, NCE, Gaugemaster, and MERG controllers or anything that has the command station and throttle combined into a single handheld item as they are not suitable. In a controller you should look for multiple interfaces such as Loconet or Xpressnet to enable connection of commercially available items, with LocoNet as a preferred option and being useful for feedback controllers, among other items. Check that the system being considered supports boosters as you may want to put the 00 scale track on one booster and the N scale track on another booster. iTrain will be able to operate both layouts simultaneously - as long as you choose the correct controller.

I stated in my first response the DR5000 can be connected to your home network now, the limitation is that you can only run one protocol.

The Z21 (or z21) do not rely on smart phones in any way. There are dozens or wired, or wireless controllers that it can be used with a Z21 and they can have glass screens or traditional control knobs - entirely depends on what you want to use.

production is happening now 😉

You can do what you want to do with the YD9401 already if you are only using one protocol, which in your case looks like the z21 protocol. What you cannot do currently is use the z21 protocol and Loconet, and Xpressnet. That said the YD401 also provides updated firmware which addresses many issues with the DR5000, none the least of which is the ability to run multiple protocols simultaneously.

@RAF96The problem you refer to is the DR5013, not the Z21

Digitrax generally means old designs with technology commensurate with the age of the designs, and even their latest offerings are not leading edge, rather more current tending to the legacy in the rest of the range BUT Digitrax is generally bullet proof and it will serve you well for many years if your use doesn't change. The fundamentals of DCC haven't really changed, unlike DC which was never really true DC and it is all the extra gizmos added such as PWM, halfwave, full wave, etc that is causing the DC problems because the modern motors are not always compatible with the older attempts to make DC 'better'. So, do you need a new controller or command station? I would say not unless you want (or need) something that isn't provided by your existing setup, such as more functions keys, or more power.

Are you using Railcom? If you are not (and I suspect you are not because DCC Concepts do not support it) then I suggest you ensure it is switched off in the Z21.

One reason is space

@jaym481 have you configured the DR5013 not to forward short circuit events via Loconet?

Can it work in a short-circuit configuration?

The DR5013 is a strange beast and I know that there were manufacturing defects on some of them. This is part of the reason why they stopped selling them before they went bust. I understand that the issue was some misplaced, and/or missing resistors on the board. I assume that you are using it in short circuit mode and wonder if you have tried using it with the shortless feedback method as this will, or at least it should, remove the current drawing issue. this doesn't work there are lots of other options put there which are cheap and will work well. Look at Blocksignalling.co.uk for a cost effective unit. The only drawback will be if you are using it with automation then either you need one with a feedback built in (DR5013 style) or one that can be fitted after the feedback unit and that will not show occupancy (Lodi KSM style). FWIW I use both the Lodi (x3) and DR5013 (x1) with a Z21 and Z21 booster without any of the issues you describe.

@Nigelcliffe on the Z21 you can make the short circuit sensitivity relatively faster than the default but what the absolute default value of 20 (Normal) or the 255(fast) actually mean are anybody's guess 🥺. I agree that a cheap snubber may help, and for the pennies that they cost it is worth trying one out. EDIT - Lots of LoDi-KSM Reverse Loop Module for Digital Railways in stock here.

A DCC signal is a DCC signal and whilst the quality of the signal varies between manufacturers it is still a DCC signal. I use an ESU decoder tester board with a Z21 and an old DR5000, and I haven't yet found a decoder that I haven't been to test and reprogram using the ESU board.

you clearly do not understand how complex a decoder is, and understand even less about the complexity of sound decoders, let alone the difficulty in creating the sound projects for them. All manufacturers want to keep their system totally proprietary and have no intention of ever letting anyone else into their ecosystem. And as for Hornby? A producer of niche product for a limited market with a geographically limited audience - it ain’t going to become a global sensation, even with all the brands under Hornby ownership.

LocoNet, separate programming track, ability to change parameters within the command station - especially track voltage - and importantly network enabled and supplied with wifi router. z21 has none of the above capabilities

A z21 is around £200, a Z21 is around £450 😉

Lenz specified the XpressNet standard many, many years ago and there are several manufacturers who abide by the standard - unfortunately Hornby is not one of them, hence the interoperability issues that are seen when trying to expand Hornby command stations with products that expect and require the full implementation of the XpressNet standard.

A sniffer port enables a command station to read the output from another command station. The Z21 is able to read the commands output by a DCS210 (or 210+) but not vice versa. I suggest that what you might need to do is to use the USB output into a PC that is running Loconet-Checker to see what commands and instructions are being sent from your DCS210. A Z21 would not provide that functionality because all it would do is take the DCC Commands and transit them onto the track run by the Z21 - the Z21 cannot read the DCS210 Loconet and you should not connect the two Loconet together as you will either damage the Z21, the DCS210 or potentially (and probably) both because a Loconet must have one, and only one master - and the 210 and Z21 are both masters.

I am not sure that Digitrax even knows what a sniffer port is and looking at the specs on your command station doesn't suggest that it have one, or that capability. What are you trying to do that needs the use of a sniffer port?

Hornby can only ‘guarantee’ operation with their own products. They have no control over any competitor products - plus as a commercial company (making a loss) they want you to only use their products.