Newbie N Gauge questions - with apologies/please be kind!

[jpendle]

I don't use a Z21, but you don't need to program each function, they're all there, just push each function button. You may need to choose an appropriate icon for each though to remind you which is the toilet announcement and which is the drivers door or whatever!

Hi @njee20

By default a new loco doesn't have any function buttons enabled on the Z21 app.
You have to select the functions you want to use in the vehicles editor before they can be used in the Steering (Driving) section.

All this can be simplified by copying the settings from a similar loco when a new one is set up.

Regards,

John P

[njee20]

How interesting! On the ECoS everything is there by default (well up to F20 or so, above that you enable them on a loco-by-loco basis), but with generic symbols you can go and update. That does sound a bit laborious.

[bwj]

Been away for a while but now back in the garage!

Got the Pendolino working as a train set with functions coded. Still getting a lot of derailments though (when running the full 9 car set - running only 6 cars is ok) so will do a thorough track inspection and check all the bogies.

I hadn't realised that there was an updated Z21 app (paid for) as shown in jpendle's screenshots so downloading that and his advice made things a lot easier. The Z21 manual is pretty useless!

I also found this step by step on another forum very useful:

"First, once you have one loco on the track, go to cv programming and touch the loco (program) button top right. 

Then, try to read the loco properties. That may or may not work depending upon your decoders. I mainly use Zimo and they always read. Assuming that this doesn't work, click on the manual button at the top of the screen. 

Now this is the point where you may be going wrong. Once you click on manual it defaults back to a POM screen. You now have to select program track in the left hand menu.  Once you are in the correct screen the top variable which it will ask you to enter is a cv value (NOT an address value). So, put in cv#1 and then click on the 'read' button. This should return the value set on your loco for cv#1 which is your address. 

If you want to change the address then manually change the value and click on 'write'.  It's the same for any other cv values you want to read or change for that loco. Enter the cv number, read it, write the new value."

[bwj]

Ongoing teething issues

Dapol Class 58 - this was running ok until (may be a coincidence) I cleaned it on my Tidy Track. Now it runs super slow and without any traction. Lighting has also stopped working. I can't see the lighting clips (penultimate photo) on Dapol spares if anyone knows a part number or matching equivalent?

Dapol Voyager - appears to respond briefly to DCC programming abut doesn't run at all

Farish Class 150 - doesn't run at all and gives different CV numbers every time I try to read it. Lights are on though!

Any tips on testing with a multimeter to see if problems are with chips or motor etc?

Kato Eurostar runs very well but I'm missing a couple of clips that attach a bogie between two cars. Any clues on a part number or alternative fix (I have tried searching for a PDF manual/instruction sheet but this is an old model!)

Finally I have a Farish Class 350 which I'm trying to install DCC on - the shell is a b***** to get off! Any clues there?

[bwj]

This fella runs perfectly though!

Thomas sadly is "dead" but I found a repair and DCC fitting service even for locos of that size

Tomix DCC

[bwj]

Finally if it's of use to anyone I found, and succesfully followed this video guide for converting older Kato TGV's and similar. It uses the DCC boards from the newer Kato TGV Lyria which are available as a spare part, albeit rare. Kato part no's 14755-3G for dummy, 14746-3G for power car


Kato TGV DCC fitting

[ntpntpntp]

This one's not got a decoder, it's a DC blanking plate. For recognition purposes:  decoders have many more components on the board with an obvious processor chip etc.   You can see from the  circuit traces this blanking plate is simply linking some of the pins together.

[bwj]

Yep - sorry should have made clear on the Arriva Class 150

The photo does show it with a blanking chip for testing on DC

Testing it on DCC with a definitely working DCC chip - it doesn't move either way!!

[ntpntpntp]

If I'm reading the service sheet and your photo correctly, you have the blanking plate for the 150  inserted upside down.  pin 1 and 6 should swap sides?

https://bachmann-spares.co.uk/file/Class-150-DMU.pdf