DCCconcepts

Tim Horn has made some boards for our demo layouts. He made them with the requisite laser cut hole for our alignment dowels. For those wishing to use our dowels with Tim Horn boards, contact him and we're sure he will oblige and cut the holes to match. Best Regards, The DCCconcepts Team

Yes there are other meters. https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/alpha-meter-for-dc-or-dcc/ Best Regards, The DCCconcepts Team

Zen decoders have the facility to configure an output to simulate a Mars light (albeit non-moving) with a simple CV change. Best Regards,. The DCCconcepts Team

The OP is using Cobalt Digital IP motors. These are not just exclusively DCC accessory command operated. They can also be manually controlled using two pushbuttons - OR - in this case - one button to toggle the direction. Connect two pushbuttons across terminal 7 (PBS-L), 8 (PBS-C) and terminal 9 (PBS-R) and 8 (PBS-C) You can also use a spring to centre SPDT toggle switch connected to 7/8/9. Or: a single pushbutton can be connected across 7 and 9 to toggle the operation of the motor. Regards, The DCCconcepts Team. (edit: Just seen the OPs reply) (edit: PBS info added)

Is this the same issue as per your emails of early March? Try turning the loco around 180 degrees as the Shuttle (Cv27=4) is rail dependent. If the asymmetric signal is on one side it will stop/pause/carry on in the same direction. If the asymmetric signal is on the other rail, it will stop/pause/reverse. The other possibility is that there is not a good contact between power and decoder - dirty wheels/track/pickups. If a loco with shuttle activated loses power as it stops, but just long enough to regain power as it actually halts, this may confuse the shuttle software. Best Regards, The DCCconcepts team

Hi Jack, Maybe a little late - but you could use our ADS-2SX unit. https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/accessory-decoder-cdu-solenoid-drive-fx-2-way-power-off-memory/ Best Regards. The DCCconcepts Team.

Hi Edward, Yes - there was an issue with some motors made in late 2018. The offending item was quickly found and steps taken to ensure the problem would not be repeated. We're now some 30,000 motors later and no repeat! (The only way to identify them is to check a part number on a component - using a magnifying glass!) If you are continuing to have problems, please email us directly and we'll do what we can to sort you out. Yes, you can operate Digital IP poiunt motors via momentary contacts to the PBS terminals. Power is from DCC or regulated DC. They will work without addressing when controlled this way. The PBS/manual terminals can be used alongside digital commands when powered with DCC. Best Regards, The Dccconcepts Team

How are you operating your points? What point decoders are you using? Do they use the same address range as your Alpha Mimic board. Drop us an email (on the website homepage) and we'll see what we can do to get it sorted. Best Regards. The DCCconcepts Team

Hi Steve, Hopefully, we've answered your lighting query directly, but for the benefit of others, this is how we would recommend wiring two decoders with directional markers/reds and switchable day/night headlights: One decoder is fitted per cab/outer car. One cab/decoder is wired as follows: White wire to markers, Yellow wire to reds Green wire to day headlight Purple wire to night headlight. Not forgetting a series resistor and common positive (blue) to all LEDs The other decoder is wired in the same way in the other cab but swap over the white/yellow wires to the markers/reds. Give both decoders the same address and the markers/reds will automatically reverse with direction on the F0 key. F1 and F2 keys will operate the green/purple wires but they can be made directional altering CV51/52 Default for CV51/52 is 32 so that they work in both directions, but by setting CV51 and 52 to 0 in one car and 16 in the other, they will only work in one direction - 0 one way, 16 the other - when F1 or F2 are operated) i.e the day or night headlight will only illuminate when the relevant direction is selected with the markers/reds. Best Regards, The DCCconcepts Team

Hi David, Nice solution. We've already incorporated magnets in our 0 gauge rolling road and we're already looking at ways to include the magnet in the smaller gauge sets on future production runs. We're trying to include the magnet in the middle of the 16.5mm unit, but have to allow for third rail users. (The solution may be two smaller magnets either side of centre). Incidentally, stainless steel can be acquired in grades that are ferritic and/or martensitic (i.e magnetic) Best Regards. The DCCconcepts Team

The British offerings of this type of program have nothing on the jeopardy (just before a commercial break) compared with US DIY/build shows. If the same level of jeopardy was applied to the model railway program, then the loco before the break would be a 4-6-2 Duchess, and afterwards a Class 08 as the problem was solved.

You could always think about using DCCconcepts Powerbase plates on the rising line of the helix. Don't forget to also add it to a bit beyond the top of the gradient. Whilst not a replica of your situation: We have a test track that includes 1 in 30 and 1 in 60 gradients on a 48" radius curve and a test was carried out with a Bachmann 66 and 14x Dapol HIA hoppers. The hoppers are relatively heavy and free running. (You do not mention the coaches that you are using) The 66 was absolutely OK on the 1 in 60, but would wheelslip on the 1 in 30 when all the train was on the gradient/curve. We added a couple of flat magnets under the fuel tanks and the 66 was now a very happy bunny up the 1 in 30. Also consider the weight of the locos. Although they are both 6-axle powered, a Bachmann 70 is far lighter than a Bachmann 66. And we know of a 70 that struggled on a 1in 100 with 21 HHAs, but the 66 was Ok. (We didn't try the Powerbase test on this example) Best Regards, The DCCconcepts Team

Hi Andi. We have the Tillig 85346 and 85347 points in stock - as well as quite a few other Tillig trackwork items. https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/rh-wide-radius-ho-96-34-degrees-l389mm-r2200mm/ https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/rh-wide-radius-ho-96-34-degrees-l389mm-r2200mm/ Best Regards The DCCconcepts Team

The product used was DCCconcepts Powerbase. A more recent take on the Tri-ang magnadhesion. A quick example: https://www.dccconcepts.com/manual/comparing-a-Hornby-pug-with-and-without-powerbase/ Regards. The DCCconcepts Team

Whilst the Z21 creates the two addresses - it also sends these out as a macro pair when trying to address the ADS unit, so whichever channel you try to address, it always picks up the last address. You have to create two more single points with the same two addresses as the slip, but use these single points to set the two individual addresses of the ADS. Put these two points tiebar to tiebar (a "longhand" double slip) next to the slip icon and then play with the slip logic within the Z21 setup to make them work correctly to give the four routes, This is a foible of the Z21 (and ESU ECoS) as it assumes you are using a multi-channel decoder that already has sequential addresses. The same scenario is used for 3-way points = i.e. create two dummy points with the same two addresses as the 3-way. Same sequence is used when using Cobalt Digital IP. Best Regards, The DCCconcepts Team

As the OP is using Digital IP motors they do not need DPDT switches. The "PBS" manual switch terminals on a Digital IP must have a short break before make contact. So on/on type SPDT switches aren't suitable. On/off/on maintained contact switches can be used but don't flick them directly from on to on - it needs the slightest of pauses in the middle off position. Ideally a pair of momentary pushbuttons connected 7-8 and 8-9 or a spring return to centre on/off/on toggle switch SPDT type is the best choice. Or they can be operated from the DCC system (see below regarding the Prodigy) Yes - we recommend removing the over centre springs when using slow action motors - regardless of manufacturer. The resistor (typically 270-330 ohm) was recommended for use with the original Digital (and analog) motors produced pre-2014. The later Digital IP motors are quite happy with a wider DCC voltage input. If the OP is using the basic Prodigy system then it is not capable of controlling accessories - so will require control of the motors via the manual PBS terminals. The internal switch S1 switches the DCC IN feed back out to the FROG terminal, so is ideal for connection of an electrofrog when using a common DCC bus to feed track and point motors. But if using a separate accessory feed then the track/frog will need switching via the S2 switch and the S2-L/C/R terminals. Best Regards The DCCconcepts Team

As Ron says, Alpha Mimic reads the same commands sent to the accessories. It is a 12-channel decoder driving LEDs. You might also want to look at Alpha Encoder. It uses normal switches and encodes them into digital signals for the DCC system. It is a direct plug-in to the NCE cab bus via a RJ12 cable. Whilst it doesn't yet do route setting, it is a very simple method of making a control panel diagram with switches on a track layout and add Alpha Mimic to repeat the point positions. Drop us an email or give us a call next week. Best Regards. The DCCconcepts Team

By pressing the 1 or 2 above, you are sending the left and right commands for address #1, not two separate addresses. When the switch is in the SET position, a Digital IP motor "listens" for an accessory command (it doesn't matter if that is a left or a right, 1 or 2, t or c) and it will remember that number when the switch is put back to RUN. It depends upon your DCC system on what buttons you have to press to send the accessory command. For example, it is is SELECT ACCY, number, 1 or 2 for direction, for a NCE Powercab. (You can toggle direction using just the SELECT ACCY button on a Powercab) SWCH, number. t or c for a Digitrax. By default, the address is #1, so they will work "out of the box" with the switch in the RUN position and sending either the left or right command from your system for the accessory address #1.

We make a right angled adapter for unusual situations such as yours. Cobalt Right-Angle Adapters w/Mounting Hardware (3 Pack) (dccconcepts.com) The omega loop is for illustration purposes. Best Regards, The DCCconcepts Team

You say it's an insulfrog single slip. There is no requirement for polarity switching. Best Regards, The DCCconcepts Team

Yes - the Alpha Box has fast acting output circuit protection. Best Regards, The DCCconcepts Team

DCCconcepts do a 5A power upgrade bundle suitable for the Powercab. https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/alpha-system-upgrade-bundle-limited-time-promotion/ (This is also a suitable upgrade for those that wish to add extra power on other systems) Best Regards, The DCCconcepts Team

The Tortoise is generally 20% larger than a Cobalt in all dimensions. The Cobalt motor cannot be moved by hand without damaging the gears. Best Regards, The DCCconcepts Team

Provided that the owner is the original purchaser and that they have been subjected to "fair and proper" use. i.e. drilling a 10mm hole in the case and asking for warranty was not viewed favourably. Indeed - demand did outstrip supply for awhile, but we have decent stock for now. Whilst there was a couple of faulty batches due to manufacturing issues, there is always an ongoing program to maintain and improve the product. Best Regards The DCCconcepts Team

MPDs are back in stock! https://www.dccconcepts.com/?s=MPD Best Regards, The DCCconcepts Team