Z scale DCC

[BerkshireSteam]

After getting fairly involved in another post about Z scale, I've become intrigued and started looking more into Z scale as a serious layout, not just something to have around. Would a Digitrax Zephyr (with URT4 walk-around tethered throttles) or NCE PowerCab be too much juice for Z scale? I read something that said no more tha 12V for Z and the Zephyr is listed at 12V output but it wasn't said if it was Z safe (it did say N safe).

One more question about decoders. I have two in mine, Digitrax DZ143 and DN163. Both are wired decoders, which I'm not afraid to tackle on my own, and I know the 143 was a 3 function decoder and the 163 is a 6 function decoder. But what are specifically the functions? Digitrax didn't really say much about what functions for the 143, besides lighting functions, and didn't say anything about the 163. I do like the 35 dollar lop price cost of the 143 though.

[tstage]

MILW,

The middle number refers to the amount of lighting functions available:

• 2-function - (1) front and (1) rear headlight
• 4- & 6-function - Besides headlights, 2 or 4 additional functions for special FX lighting like ditch and/or Mars lights

 

I tried the ditch light feature using a DH163L0 decoder in a Proto 2000 GP38-2.  Worked very nicely and was pretty cool to watch.

Tom

[wjstix]

I have one or two smallish HO diesel switchers that use Z scale decoders. No problems using my Zephyr with them so far.

[BerkshireSteam]

I think I'll look at the DN163 then. I was going to stick with N scale and do sound, but then in another forum someone posted that companies are coming out with 2nd generation diesel/electric loco's and pretty much all the ones slatted to be put into production are ones I wanted for my freelance shortline, so now I'm conlemplating about Z scale again. It would exclude sound though. I would definelty want the 6 function decoder. May not be able to go with prototypical looking roof mounted MARS lights, but the other lights I would want. Would I be able to change a CV's around so both the number boards would be constantly light, no matter what direction is used? I'm still just starting so all I have is a DC loco and some test track, I like the directional lighting but I don't like how the number board also went with direction, or the fact that it didn't light up what has to be a few millivolts before the voltage needed to get the loco moving. After I got the loco broke in the light boards would light and sometimes the train would start juttering down the track decimeter by decimeter.

I also want 28 or 128 speed steps available. If I go with Z scale I may have a loco just running back and forth (transfer runs between interchange yards) but it would mostly be switching so slow speed control is of utmost importance to me. That and I don't need any kind of speed steps that will let my trains zoom around the track at 80mph. strictly 15mph for way freights and maybe up it to 25 for transfer runs.

[CSX Robert]

wjstix

I have one or two smallish HO diesel switchers that use Z scale decoders. No problems using my Zephyr with them so far.

The concern with Z scale is not the decoders, Z scale decoders can handle N and HO voltages without any problems(the main reason most of them are listed as Z scale decoders is because of their size, not their electrical characteristics). The concern is with Z scale motors, my understanding is that many of them are designed to run off 9 volts. It is pretty easy to drop the voltage of the DCC signal using a few diodes. At the bottom of this page is one example of how to do it:http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn/excess_voltage.htm

[OntarioTodd]

 Check out this video. This guy managed a beacon as well as other lighting effects in his Z scale loco's.

CLICK HERE

 

Todd