DCCconcepts

8 minutes ago, ForeverAutumn said:

Hi, I recently looking into DCC Concepts Cobalt range, I noticed the multiple different types and I was wondering what the difference between each one is, and what would be the best for my layout (DCC with control of an NCE or maybe a Digitrax) it's running using Peco Bullhead.

 

Cheers,

Patrick.

Hi Patrick,

This may help.

https://www.dccconcepts.com/manual/the-evolution-of-the-cobalt-range-detail-comparisons/

For DCC control, the obvious option is a Digital IP with integral decoder. but there's always the choice of AD-FX decoder and AnalogIP or Omega types.

Physially, all three are the same size.

For DC control, the obvious choice is the Analog IP or Omega, but for future proofing for digital control, use a Digital IP - taking power from your DCC bus, but control it manually using the PBS terminals with a pair of pushbuttons or SPDT momentary switch.

Best Regards

The DCCconcepts Team

Apart from having to sometimes disable Railcom whilst addressing Cobalt Digital IP, we have found that there are no other issues running them with Railcom enabled systems.

With the close co-operation of DCC Train Automation (UK distributor of iTrain and Digikeijs), the above issue (multiple motors on a route) has been tracked to the trip settings within the DR5000 being set too low.

The trip timer setting needs to be increased with Railcom on, compared to Railcom off. (250ms seems to be an acceptable value)

Also using a slight delay between individual point commands when a route is selected can help.

Best Regards.

The DCCconcepts Team

As above.

A two-wire Alpha Mimic ground signal can be powered/controlled by a reversing 12v DC supply - via a DPDT switch.

(In much the same way our Cobalt Omega and Analog Ip motors)

All you have to do is make sure that there is a series resistor in one of the two wires to the signal - it does not matter which wire.

Typical value - 5k ohm, but can be adjusted to suit the user's personal preference for brightness.

Best Regards,

The DCCconcepts Team

The process is above - using the SET/RUN switch on the motor and the SWITCH/number/t or c on the Digitrax system.

Sometimes a Digitrax system will not immediately address a Cobalt Digital IP point motor.

We sometimes see erratic programming issues as the DCC waveform of a Digitrax system has a slightly rounded leading edge - this can be compounded if there is a lot of equipment connected to the DCC bus. The solution is to address the motors with nothing else connected to the DCC bus.

They will work perfectly OK in RUN mode when the bus is reconnected to other equipment.

Best Regards,

The DCCconcepts team.

Our DCD-ZNSSA will work quite happily with an ESU Loksound decoder.

Best Regards,

The DCCconcepts Team

23 hours ago, Newbie2020 said:

Hi Richard, I note that this reply was some time ago and was wondering if the advice was still unchanged?

 

Cheers

 

Clive

Clive,

The advice for the Dapol signals with a two yellow wires to operate it remains the same.

Best Regards,

The DCCconcepts Team

On 14/09/2020 at 16:58, Ardmay said:

If you have to switch off Railcom when programming it would intermate that the decoder is not NMRA compliant.

Not quite:

Switching RailCom off for programming does not intimate that it is not NMRA compliant.

Even ESU recommend turning off RailCom under certain circumstances.

21.5.3.1 RailCom Functions
Activating the RailCom feedback:
With this function the RailCom® feedback can be switched on
and off. For programming older SwitchPilot decoders it might
be useful to switch the RailCom® feedback off. If you do not
use a RailCom-capable decoder you should switch the RailCom
function off to avoid problems.

The Cobalt Digital Ip is not RailCom capable - but it is NMRA compliant.

Once addressed, the Cobalt Digital Ip has no problem operating with RailCom enabled.

Best Regards

The DCCconcepts Team

On 18/07/2020 at 11:43, Johnfromoz said:

Carrying over from the Traintronics thread, I have today finally got two cobalts prepared for horizontal use and they are up and running on the layout BUT I flag something here for the sake of other newbies if fitting these units.  
 

Going to the DCC concepts web site for a photo of how the adaptation should look, I observed their assembled unit with no fulcrum, using only the metal fork of the adaptor kit for leverage (or so it seems) . This lead me to waste two hours of my life trying unsuccessfully to get the unit to change points on the track above.

 

Only on re-checking the instruction card is their brief mention of the fulcrum. A lesson for me in not reading instructions true, but I certainly found the official photo misleading. For information of others thinking of using this kit. 

Hi John,

As per the Traintronics thread that you have referenced - there was a picture of the right-angled adapter with the Cobalt motor.

This is the link to the picture in that thread.

The website photo will be updated ASAP.

Best Regards,

The DCCconcepts team

16 hours ago, Ron Ron Ron said:

 

Any chance you might order a sample printed 3mm Dibond panel, to see how well the Alpha Switch-D and Alpha Mimic LED's fit ?

Broadcasting good results might pay back multiple times over the modest outlay.

 

 

.

 

 

3mm dibond is OK with Alpha Switch and Mimic.

But:

We recommend using the short screws supplied with the Switch-D to fix them to the MDF (or plywood).

The Switch-D (and Switch-A) also have a thin self-adhesive pad to stick it to the dibond as it would not be easy to "blind drill" in the rear of the dibond. (It may be that a small amount of epoxy adhesive or similar may be required to hold them in position if the screws are not used.

As the Mimic LED is a push fit, then thickness of panel is not an issue.

Best Regards,

The DCCconcepts Team

We happily use 3mm MDF on our panels with Alpha Switch-D.

A little bit of care has to be taken after drilling the holes as MDF can "blow" and have furry edges around the holes that effectively make it thicker.

Sand then down or trim gently with a sharp blade.

Once installed, the switch top is flush with the bezel - not proud of it.

Best Regards,

The DCCconcepts team

On 27/08/2020 at 10:50, transferman said:

Hmmmm!!

Looks like it will probably be next year before any become available!

 

Is there a reliable more generally available alternative available?

 

Chris

 

Hi Chris,

Another four figure delivery is in the process of being received, with the next batch about to enter production

Some of these are allocated to dealers - we do not know if they have them allocated to back orders or general stock for themselves.

Our direct dealers can be found via a map on our homepage

You can also place a back order with ourselves, it is likely to be fulfilled with the October delivery.

(Note - the October batch is starting to sell out......)

Best Regards,

The DCCconcepts Team

On 14/08/2020 at 16:22, Chamby said:

Well, if any reached retailers back in February I missed them, and they are still out of stock.   The SS surface mounted mini-motors are also unavailable at major stockists too.

 

I have 28 iP Digital motors on my layout so far, I've been really happy with them (and a load of other DCC concepts items including Alpha Mimic and Alpha Control), but with the ongoing supply issues extending into the horizon now I'm being forced to think about alternatives.  

 

Shame really, a very innovative company that I have bought into big time, now being let down by the most basic issue of supply.  

There were issues last year, but now it's not necessarily a supply issue, but demand outstripping supply faster than we can make them!

We have had a very large number (into 5-figures) of Cobalt Digital IPs through our UK operations in the past few months.

All were allocated to back orders (retail and dealer)

The next batch due in a few weeks is also pre-sold, such has been the demand through lockdown.

We are taking orders for the batch after that.....

Have you placed an order with your local dealer or ourselves?

Other popular products are due back into stock soon.

Best Regards,

The DCCconcepts Team.

17 hours ago, Nigelcliffe said:

Yes,   though there are other accessory decoders which don't need extra adaptors, are cheaper,  and might be in stock (DCC Concepts say "out of stock").

[snip]

 

You'll find a lot of things are short-stock, with model railways having a bit of a boom under Covid, and manufacturers struggling to operate at the same time.   

More ADS-SX arriving end August/early September! 

(The previous batch was virtually all pre-sold to back orders and the remaining few soon sold out.)

Best Regards,

The DCCconcepts Team

The DCCconcepts ADS-*SX range are entirely suitable for operating Kato motors. (* is 2/4/8 channels)

Fitted with a DCD-SDC adapter on the ADS, converting the 3 wire solenoid output to a 2-wire reversing pulse - for the Kato motor.

Best Regards,

The DCCconcepts Team

Here's a picture of a Digital IP Cobalt with a right angled adapter - DCP-RA3 (3 pack)

It shows above board mounting. For under board, use the same wire, but without the 90 degree bend after the adapter. (And obviously a hole in the baseboard!)

Best Regards,

The DCCconcepts Team

14 hours ago, Penrhos1920 said:

 

Did you try returning your decoders to DCC Concepts?  They say they will offer you a half price replacement for your blown decoder.

To clarify the above.

Part cost replacement: If there is any form of heat or other damage to the decoder heat-shrink, if the heat-shrink is removed or there has been any soldering or modification to the PCB then it will NOT be treated as a full warranty replacement… However we DO want you to be confident and DO understand accidents happen, so we will replace it for a “part cost” of 50% of our current web price (for a single equivalent) plus return post. We would also require to see original proof of purchase as well as the failed decoder.

Best Regards.

The DCC Concepts Team

On 06/07/2020 at 09:42, Jamie Smith said:

Hi,

 

Can anyone advise how you configure double slip points in the Z21 software?

 

The software suggests that each of the two point motors (Cobalts) have been assigned 2 unique addresses, but when I test them they both switch at the same time! In effect, the crossing will only act in slip configuration and not allowing cross over option! 

 

Do I have to set up each point motor individually? What I’m currently doing is setting both of the points to ‘Set’ first, selecting the double slip point option in the Z21 software and then flicking both points to ‘Run’. My guess is the software is assigning both points the same reference number?? 

 

Kind regards,

 

Jamie

You are correct that the Z21 is giving them both the same number.

The Z21 software automatically allocates 2 addresses, but when you try to program the Cobalts with the RUN/SET switch, they only receive the higher address from the Z21 double slip icon as it is effectively a two-step macro.

You have to create "dummy" points with the Z21 (with the same two addresses) and then program each motor individually.

Then fine-tune the Z21 double slip logic (by altering the 1/0 configuration) until they work correctly.

The same solution applies to the 3-way point and also setting Cobalt addresses using the ESU ECoS.

It's a foible of the Z21 and ECoS - nothing to do with the Cobalt motors

Best Regards,

The DCC Concepts Team

On 26/06/2020 at 16:24, WIMorrison said:

 

the switch you refer to is for setting the address of the motor, it has nothing to do with voltage

To clarify switches on Cobalt motors:

The original analog Cobalt motors do not have switches.

Original Digital have a programming switch (SET/RUN) on the rear of the terminal block

Digital IP have a programming switch next to the terminals

Analog IP have a reversing switch next to the terminals (Yes - an analog motor can be reversed by swapping the power leads)

Omega Classic have a voltage selector switch next to the terminal block -  set to 6-12v or 12-18v.

Best Regards

The DCCconcepts Team.

15 hours ago, Ewan Forsyth said:

I have managed to work out how to do this using a Digitrax DB150.

 

1) Power off - wire Digital IP DCC in with DCC BUS

2) Power on (RUN mode) - 

3) (SET mode) SWCH - Select ## - push C (once)

4) Turn to (RUN mode)

(Repeat as per DCC concept instructions)

5) Use t/c to change point motor

 

Oddity that this was not working previously. I think it is due to keys in DT400 when selecting t/c was pushing 10/11 thus changing the set number

 

Hi Ewan

We hope our email to you yesterday was helpful in sorting out your addressing issues.

To reiterate addressing of a Cobalt Digital IP motor with any DCC system. (And a few other bits and pieces)

(The same addressing procedure applies to AD and ADS decoders, as well as the CBSS surface mount)

Connect the motor to the main DCC output of your system. Do not use the program track output.

Flick the switch (next to the terminal block) to SET - that is away from the body of the motor.

Select accessory control on your system and enter the number you require the motor to be.

Send a "change point command" for that number (see below)

The motor will not move.  

Repeat the change point command to ensure the signal has been sent - it does not matter if it is left or right.

Flick the switch back to RUN

The motor should now obey the normal change commands.

Note - special address commands.These only apply to the Digital IP and not the older Digital)

Using the above procedure:

197 will reverse the operation of direction.

198 will disable auto centre.

199 will enable auto centre.

Auto centre at power up is a useful feature to pre-centre the motors - say when you are re-installing them in another location.

They will do a left/right/centre shuffle and then await a normal move command.

Auto centre is disabled for current production (and has been for the past 30 months or so). 

Motors are delivered in the central position from new with address #1 and auto-centre disabled - there is no requirement to carry out a 198 command.

(However - our "quick and dirty way to re-centre the motors is to command them to move as normal and then pull power halfway across - no need to use 199 or 198 to cancel afterwards!)

You can carry out any of the above commands on multiple motors at the same time.

Using 197-199 does not overwrite the original address.

And there is no reset of CVs for the Digital motor - there are no CVs to reset!

The only variable is the address via the SET/RUN switch.

From above - using a DCC system to send the point command - a few examples.

With NCE - it's a 1 or 2 after entering the number via the SELECT ACCY key

Hornby Elite - use the two large buttons for direction after selecting the accessory number

Digitrax - "t" and "c" using the SWITCH to select accessories

Roco Z21 and other screen based systems - you will have to configure the point and give it an address in track configuration mode. Then operate the point on the screen - making sure the icon changes left/right.

With our own ALpha Central - use the relevant pair of buttons that you want to "pair" with the motor.

Roco Z21 (and a couple of other European systems can use an offset of 4 with accessory addressing - RCN213 mode - this normally isn't a problem, as far as the motor is concerned it has seen a valid address - even though it has an offset. It may be that you have to use 201-203 for the special address commands to work. Or select RCN-213 addresing in the setup of your system.

Turn Railcom off for addressing - the Railcom pulse can affect the procedure.

Also note with Digitrax, we sometimes see irregular programming as the DCC waveform has a slightly rounded leading edge - this can be made worse if there is a lot of equipment connected to the DCC bus. The solution is to address the motors with nothing else connected to the DCC bus. Then they will work perfectly OK when the bus is reconnected to other equipment

Please note - any technical queries can be answered via the contact from/email on our website

On 22/06/2020 at 10:38, Ron Ron Ron said:

 

From anecdotal evidence, cobalt motors have occasionally suffered from the odd batch having a number of faulty examples, but DCC Concepts have made modifications over the years and they offer to exchange dud ones.

 

We strive to improve the product based upon user feedback. (It doesn't always happen immediately, but is taken into consideration when producing the next iteration)  The lifetime warranty only applies to the original purchaser on Cobalt motors (the blue ones) with "fair and proper use". It is not always an exchange - we will repair if we can. We will ask for proof of purchase. Note: the lifetime warranty is only applicable to Cobalt motors - not our other products.

Second hand and motors and those that have been used with incorrect wiring are not covered for example. We even had a motor with a 6mm hole drilled through the casing as a "warranty claim"!

On 22/06/2020 at 10:38, Ron Ron Ron said:

The motors have been out of stock for a while and I think I remember someone on here saying that they are, or have, now changed their Chinese manufacturer.

I’ve no idea if that’s true or not?

 

Not true - we have not changed factories. We did see a delay due to Covid-19 hitting the factory at a critical point in production.

There have been substantial numbers of Cobalt motors through our hands recently - but all were sold out to pre-orders and dealer back orders.

The same is true of a batch due quite soon, such as been the increased demand as people have had more time to build model railways!

We have already allocated a proportion of the batch after that to pre-sales. Contact our sales team to ensure your supply!

On 22/06/2020 at 10:42, Ron Ron Ron said:

Mechanically they’re the same motor. Obviously one having the decoder on-board.

The impression I get is that reliability is more to do with faulty batches, rather than whether it’s a digital or analogue version.

 

. 

We did have a part batch of Digital IP with an out of specification component that could sometimes cause a loss of address - that is documented elsewhere on RMweb.

Reliability of the Analog IP is more to do with the use of regulated power supplies.

(It's quite surprising how many people will quite happily spend £100s on new equipment, but insist on using a fifth-hand transformer/rectifier unit from the 1960s that gives out weird and wonderful voltages)

Please note - the above information is out of date. It was based upon a communication from January!

The current batch of ADS-8SX has now sold out from ourselves - some will still be available via our dealers.

We do have some ADS-2SX and ADS-4SX left, but they are selling rapidly.

Regards.

The DCC Concepts Team.

On 24/04/2020 at 10:48, bigP said:

 

Covid has nothing to do with the lack of CobaltDip availability, they’ve been almost non existent since Jan 2019.

 

At Warley ‘Mr DCC Concepts’ was explaining their absence was due to change of supplier for the motor.  Believe the original supplier wanted an unrealistic minimum order, so DCC Concepts went elsewhere rather than being held to ransom!

 

 

As above, there was an issue with the internal motor supply that caused issues last year.

This has been resolved.

The last batch of 4000 or so that arrived in January 2020 sold out with 2 weeks - catching up with back orders and also new orders once people learned that they were available again.

The current batch of 4000 has been delayed by Covid-19, but isn't too far away.

Note - due to increased demand with people having more time to build their railway (probably because of Covid-19), we have almost pre-sold/allocated all of this batch!

The DCC Concepts Team.

1 hour ago, dj_crisp said:

Hmm

Of my two colbalts fitted I now have one with a loud clicking sound on one throw. It had been ok for a year or so.  I guess it's faulty? is there a fix or is it for the bin like everything else I've owned from DCC Concepts?

 

cheers

Will

Hi Will,

We notice from your Bisley thread - you were using the original analog classic motor - 8 terminals -  powered with a DR4018/DR4101 combination and it was "buzzing". It is possible that there may be an issue with the output from the DR4018 and it may have damaged the Cobalt. (overdriving the gears)

It is noted that you now use Digitrax DS64s instead to operate your analog motors.

We are officially closed over this weekend, but still keeping a lookout!

Contact us via our email next week and we'll see what we can do to help - gear issues are usually fixable.

Best Regards,

The DCC Concepts Team.

On 31/03/2020 at 13:06, ITG said:

Mickey,

i have half a dozen of these motors, bought early 2019. I found mine forgot addresses if I had a short, eg caused by forgetting to set a any point in correct direction causing derail. At DCC Concepts suggestion, I fitted ‘suppressors’ (I think, can’t actually remember what they were called) to the end of the bus wire, and also fitted a 12v car bulb across each motor. DCC were very helpful and provided same free of charge. 

This has cured the problem.

Because many (if not most!) track shorts are caused by accidental run-through at points, adding an inductive load between the frog and the frog terminal on the Digital IP - will reduce the instance of the spike in this instance and thus "protect" the Digital IP that have the memory issue.

A 21w filament car light bulb is a very suitable device!

Best Regards,

The DCC Team

Hi All,

Trust you are keeping as well as you can under the current lockdown.

DCC Concepts are still trading via online and telephone orders.

Please bear with us if your order takes a little longer as we are operating under minimal staff levels and in accordance with distancing/isolation policies.

Note: we will be closed over the forthcoming Easter Weekend.

Keep modelling.

The DCC Concepts Team