jpendle

That's right it has. You can now create a mimic diagram instead. Regards, John P

Hi, They're just general purpose diodes in a SOD-80 surface mount package. They are used to switch between head and tail lights depending on which direction the loco is running. Dapol use them in the same way on some of their loco PCB's. Regards, John P

As Iain says, can you describe in detail how you are trying to program or read CV's? Are you using the App on a phone and which version of the app are you using? So when you have a loco on the programming track there is no need to specify the address to program it. On the new app with Z21 on a black background there are 3 options for CV programming, Loco(program track). Loco(POM), and Manual. I am fairly sure that the first two options only work with Zimo decoders. So, if I were you, I would try the Manual option (and then select Program Track). Regards, John P

Hi, As I said in your other thread it's an LL4148 diode and not a resistor that's missing. The resistors on that board are the fat green things with 3 colour bands on the right hand side. I think you'll need to mount it on the board the opposite way round to the diode at the top left. Regards, John P

Hi, Resistors have 3 or 4 colour code bands so I suspect that what burnt out is a diode. On the small mezzanine board there is a Surface Mount LL4148 diode. Assuming the two solder pads below it are where the burnt out component was, then I suspect you need to add a replacement diode there. Your photo is a bit blurry but I think you would want to mount it with opposite polarity to the diode that's already there. Regards, John P

I think that Robin means that it would be easier to understand if the manual said : Blue Flashing Light : The STOP button has been pressed or a DCC STOP Command has been issued Regards, John P

Hi, So I'm fairly sure that I have had temporary shorts when trains derail that leave the z21 with a blue flashing light. Regards, John P

It means that there's either a short, meaning the z21 has turned off, or that you have pressed the Blue button on the app or the button on the z21 to STOP your trains. Disconnect the z21 from your layout and then see if the light stays on, you might need to press the button on the z21. If it stays on with the layout disconnected then there's a short somewhere. Regards, John P

Don't forget that if you have a spare Windows PC lying around you can download the Z21 Maintenance app to it. You could then connect it with a LAN cable to the router and operate the Z21 with it. You would also be able to update your Z21 to the latest firmware and do some more testing of where the issue might lie. Regards, John P

I think you may be getting two different things mixed up here. The Router handles the Wifi connection to your tablet, the Z21 box doesn't come into it, it's just another device connected to the router. So when you say that the Wifi drops out do you mean that the tablet loses its connection to the router OR that the tablet is connected to the router but can't talk to the Z21. If resetting the Z21 is the only thing that fixes the problem then I would suggest it's the latter. FWIW you could buy a USB to LAN adaptor and use that to connect tablet to the router, i think they cost about 15 quid in the UK. Regards, John P

Surely the title of this thread should be "On Rock". John P

Hi, It's a 6 pin blanking plug so yes it does "just slide backwards", you'll need to carefully push the wires and components out of the way first. Then you'll need to add a 6 pin decoder. I would recommend the Zimo MX617N (£20), or if that's too large then the MX616N is smaller but more expensive (£34). This assumes that they are in stock anywhere. But if you are patient then they are well worth waiting for, superb motor control plus lots of options to adjust settings to get the best from your loco. Regards, John P

Hi, This will rule out many systems, particularly the US designed ones, so Digitrax, NCE, & Gaugemaster (rebadged MRC). You need to be looking at stuff that was designed this century 😀 So the Roco z21/Z21 would give this, albeit with a Phone or Tablet interface, but when funds are available a Multimaus can be added for a more "traditional" look and feel. The Z21(Black) while more expensive will also connect to almost anything as it supports lots of different interfaces. LAN/Wifi is there by default, it supports Loconet and various other DCC busses. Regards, John P

It’s fiddly but I solder to the bottom of one of the frog rails as close to the plastic webbing as possible. You need to be quick with the iron. You can also solder to the side of the frog rails inside the vee. It would be nice if Peco added frog droppers like they do on slips, etc. Regards, John P

The bureaucrats who designed the USPS were all students of Franz Kafka. John P

The warehouse at Bolton Trinity Street fits the OP. Regards, John P

I hadn't realised that it pre-dated Metrolink. John P

Just look on Google maps it's quite distinct, but it's a tram/light rail line and I'd argue that it's not a branch line. Regards, John P

Hi, I have a brand new laptop running Win10 Enterprise, the only way I have found to get it to talk to my Silhouette Portrait is to use a USB hub with USB 2 sockets. I couldn't find any reference to firmware upgrades for the Portrait. Regards, John P

No. You can add routes, there's a route symbol, and then add a list of points to that route. Regards, John P

Hi, You can't really create a track plan in the old Z21 app. You can take a picture of your layout and then overlay the symbols for points and occupancy detectors, etc. The new app supports proper mimic diagrams and track plans. BTW there aren't any instructions for many of the Z21's features, it is expected that the user will have a basic understanding of DCC and be comfortable with playing around with the app to see what it does. If you can't work out what you need to do by trial and error then search for Youtube videos or ask on here. I'm not saying that they are right and you are wrong, it's just the way they have chosen to do things, in the same way that an iPhone doesn't come with any written instructions. Regards, John P

Hi, In that case I would try a different decoder. My preference is for Zimo, so the MX617N or MX616N. The 617 is £20, the 616 is a lot smaller but is £32. The problem is that you might need to bend the pins as neither is a right angle connector (6 pin decoders with right angle connectors are not common). There's a thread on the N Gauge forum about fitting decoders to these models. Regards, John P

Another vote for the Z21, as long as you don't mind using a tablet. It is a very well designed system and the Z21 (Black) full fat version will do everything you want and more. Regards, John P

Hi, Did the loco work when you used the E-Z Controller? John P

Hi, As you are a new user use the new app with the black Z21 icon, I have used both and while there are some features on the old app that I liked I soon got used to the new one. The old app is no longer supported by Roco. The Z21 doesn't store any information. Yes you can use the app offline to create a mimic diagram of your layout, you can also add locos but typically when I add a loco I want to test that I've got all the functions setup correctly so I do it when connected to the Z21. You can only import layouts that have been created using the Z21 app. Regards, John P