Chilly

Sorry this is my fault and my scattergun approach. I will start a topic in the correct place with a link to this. Chilly

My shopping list May as well get 2 packs of 25 yards. and the hits keep coming Chilly

I would go with me Right onto ebay ! Any ideas who has got any Peco 75 track I was looking at Rails of Sheffield ? Chilly

Just phoned and stopped the courier in his track changed to a smaller Zimo decoder. twice the price go figure Now for the motors and control decoders. My bank accounts is burning up Chilly

Hi Nigel That was what the chap at Coastal DCC said would fit the loco the Bachmann Standard Class 4MT 2-6-0 with the Zimo one being tight? All the others are Zimo Chilly

Hi Iain Understood, will the motors operate and polarity switch for the double slips and 3 way points? Thanks

Hi Iain Looking at ordering theDR4018 but with 3 required would you get a sperate power source for each of them or just one or 2 or run the lot off the z21. If additional power source what would you suggest? Oh just remembered there are 2 sets of 3 way points can the MTB MP 1 motors handle them (logic suggests yes with two motors) but does this combo also sort out the polarity switching etc and will also the z21 cope with them on the track app? If ok then we are looking at 2 motors each for the double slip and 2 for the 3 points. So that makes 8 for those (being 2 of each) and 18 for normal, so 26 motors and now another DR4018..... Chilly

Decoders ordered All Zimo apart from one which is Digitrax as that fits in my Bachmann Standard Class 4MT 2-6-0 easier per the friendly chap at Coastal DCC. We are now moving at pace well would be with some track Chilly

Thanks I will have to check that they fit the Hornby/Bachmann steam engines, most are 8 pins with the Bachmann Joem being 18 What Zimo works with a Next 18 DCC as I haven't a clue? Is it mini micro small ?? Please also what are 3 & 28-step programmable speed curves in relation to them? Oh by the way using a z21 system, well will be when it arrives and then get some track! Cheers

Iain You just keep on brightening my day up! Just came across and old post of yours and it appears cheaper to get them from Germany including postage, crazy at this rate I will be kick starting the German economy! £11.71 each and £26.95 for the DR4018 which after postage works out £100 cheaper! While we are at it what are your suggestions for loco decoders I was thinking of Zimo MX600R? Chilly

So these 2 combined work well with a z21 and are easy to install and sort all the electrics.? By the sounds of it the DR4018 basically replaces the need for 8 separate decoders in one box is this correct and therefore less wiring etc? Can those for the double slips be operated in tandem with this DCC system so operating them in set combinations rather than having to switch one then the other to get the desired result and also sort any required polarity changes automatically? Do they give feedback to show thrown on the system? If so then I am looking at 3 DR4018 making 24 turnouts for my layout plus 22 Point motors, but will require 24 because there is two double slips in there Do you think that there could be discount for bulk buying and if so where Thanks Chilly

Sold on the DCC motor idea, pad for point control and hand control for the loco so I feel I am driving the loco. Bank account about to take another hit I have no turnout motors as yet or decoders so looking for inspiration as to a complete all in one package which is reliable, z21 compatible, switches polarity and idiot proof, that last part would be me Cheers Chilly

Just being a skinflint on point decoders, layout has 22 points including 2 double slips so including motors when it happens...……. Already need 10 loco decoders oh yeah plus the points above and 2x25yd packs of flexi ............ z21 on route from Germany so only got at the moment 10 steam loco's

Thanks Grovenor This appears to be a cost efficient option then, run points DC and control tracks DCC and a space saver as well I will delve deeper. Chilly

Hi JDW New to all this and my question, is it possible to have an hybrid system, by that I mean the points are DC but operated from a Tablet showing the layout (similar to DCC systems) a touch screen to operate the points by touching it on screen rather than using a bank of toggles? Perhaps will need an interface between the tablet and points just wondering..... Thanks Chilly

Sorry should have done this as a picture says more than a thousand words

Cheers Iain So trains - sorted System - sorted Track - hmm to order whenever there is any Decoders - Zimo 600 series from what I see on here should be alright with this, just need to check the pins Thanks for your help Chilly

That was my thinking so I went with your link above and arriving between 10-17 June will be Roco/Fleischmann 10825 z21 Start +10814 z21 Package+10813 Z21 Wlanmaus New On the Roco site under z21 it states Digitalzentrale z21® (start) Under Features Controls up to 9.999 DCC loco decoders Controls up to 2.048 DCC switch decoders Adjustable, rectified track voltage (12-24 V, 3 A) for a smooth driving operation with different decoders Compatible with Z21 multiMAUS models and Lokmaus Seperate programming track connection with Zimo decoder update Feedback via RailCom® Many interfaces Software and sound updates via smartphone Technical details Input voltage 12-24 V Output voltage equivalent to 1 V below input voltage Maximum output current 3 A Short circuit/overload shutdown function Yes, at currents over 3 A Analogue locos Cannot be controlled Maximum number of trains 100 locomotives simultaneously

Hi Iain Looks like 00 gauge should be fine then plus using Zimo's which again I hope are fine. In view of my reply to Ron above have you any idea of the length of the Red cables? I suspect that Wireless maybe the way forward with that deal you linked above which looks good value to me. Update Thanks Iain Ah he who waits ..................…. sometimes can't wait any longer just bought it - just need some track Iain what's the little green screw thing under the plug in the bottom left of the picture for? Cheers Chilly

Hi Ron3 How long are the cables for the red Multi's ? It also appears that you can dock 3 red hand sets into a z21, I think I may have repeated myself As the shelf layout runs around the room on 3 sides and above the bed just thinking wireless maybe easier, dimension is 20ft down right wall, 13ft top end and 16ft down the left wall with a double bed centrally located at the 13ft end. It looks like I could link another wireless (perhaps quite a few) to the z21 such that I could operate one side and someone else the other and swap positions as the trains go round the layout from one side to the other. The £223 price of a z21, modem and wireless handset doesn't appear that bad plus from a German retailer. Chilly

Hi Iain I am sold on the system I don't think I need the black one as only ever 4 - 6 trains will be running (little required by way of light as Steam, no intention for smoke or sound yet) with the others parked up, the points will be DC when I get around to it so the white one seems OK for what I need Just wary on all the disclaimers for the black one - sold as seen - no returns etc. White one registered business seller etc and around for nearly 20 years. Just been reading the Roco site, it looks like 3 wired handsets the red ones can be tethered to the white system whereas wireless looks like many can be linked. Thanks Chilly

Hi Iain With the white one package you mention it appears the router code comes with it as well? Is CV programming easy? Will the z21 be able to perform this function? On their site I thought I had seen that it had a separate program track function? I have seen one person being worried about the track voltage, his was a N gauge, did you have any concerns? My trains are OO gauge Hornby and Bachmann all bought within last 8 weeks new apart from 1 all to be fitted with Zimo's which I believe Roco's support any way. Is Ebay the best place to pick up a further Wlan Maus handset? Thanks Chilly

Hi Half-full My trains are steam, 10 in total - line length 45ft x 2 plus small loco yards no lights and I am not planning on the sound fitting route and the plan is for DC point control so 3A is sufficient to run say 3-4 trains simultaneously? I think the z21 with a handheld multimaus appears to be sufficient plus perhaps another handheld unit later. Does the z21 have everything you need in the box including 1 handheld? Chilly

Hi John Thanks for the input. I note that both the z21 and Z21 run at 3A will that be sufficient ? Chilly

Thanks Iain Looks good so could be z21 plus a couple of controllers and sorted, I will delve a bit deeper. After reviewing the pages on here it looks like Zimo decoders are the ones to go far I think they are the 600 series. Cheers Chilly