Thanks Old Engineman, I will check that out when I return home tomorrow. I actually was able to add one of my engines, a Bachman. Really not sure how I did it. There was a plus sign in the list of engines and somehow added it through that. But no other plus signs showed up so I couldn't add the other engine, but I will follow your I instructions. I think it was very easy to set up. I think not knowing anything about DCC and not being great with computers made it more difficult. I was going for buy the Sprog Raspberry Pi setup, but to me this seemed to be the better choice.
So many seem to say that "OMG so many buttons". It's just the numbers 0-0 (which is 10 buttons right there) plus some function buttons. I read a whole paragraph about "creating a new engine", but the more traditional style DCC systems, there's nothing to 'create' or set up before you can use a loco, you simply hit the loco key, and punch in the address using the numbers. That's it. That's all there is to it. Nothing to "figure out" and no reason to throw it against the wall. Far simpler than setting up the pictures and scrolling through them. The picture based system might be fine if you only have a half dozen locos or so, but I can pretty much gurantee I can call up a loco with most any other system than can be done with these fancy schmanzy graphical interface ones.
All for the sake of "it much have a graphical user interface" Not everything is suited to graphics. Case in point, Pitney Bowes made us upgrade the postage meter at work. The old one worked fine. it had a 2 line LCD, displayed the weight of the item you put on the scale, and how much the postage would be, then you ran it through and it stamped it. The new one has a fancy color LCD screen and runs Android. It took it a half hour after I first connected it just to install updates. And no one can figure it out because it has all these extra layers to go through before you weigh and apply postage to your envelope. Absolutely ridiculous and a clear case of how NOT to engineer something.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
"You are the only one, so far, who has used the system. To me it appears a difficult system to learn, but I've just looked at the manuals, not seen one in action. How do you like it?"
I think it's far and away THE EASIEST to learn and use. I wouldn't want to use anything else. THE LAST thing I would want to use is one of those handheld controllers with a dozen or more pushbuttons. I would have thrown that against the wall, trying to figure it out.
However, I also use the z21 "box" to control and power the railroad, instead of the Digikeijs DR5000. Getting that one working (at least from what I've seen) looks to be more difficult than the z21 box and app running on iOS or Android. There are videos that help.
Remember that the locos that come "pre-configured" on the z21 app are engines that Roco sells. They aren't going to behave right unless you have those engines. You can "de-activate" them, and then remove them from the list. Otherwise, they're just "in the way".
If you have OTHER engines, then you need to create "a new loco" for each one, with its own number, then add function buttons if you like (headlight, bell, horn, etc.).
There are several YouTube videos that are very helpful in understanding how the app works. Worth taking the time to view if you're running into roadblocks.
Old Engineman You are the only one, so far, who has used the system. To me it appears a difficult system to learn, but I've just looked at the manuals, not seen one in action. How do you like it?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
OP:
You have the z21 app running? Then do this:
Put ONE loco on the track. Leave all the others off for now.
In the z21 app, the engines that come "pre-configured" have nothing to do with yours. Ignore them, or remove them.
You will want to create a NEW loco. It will have no image and no "buttons" at first.
Go ahead and create it. Then let that sit for the moment.
Now go to the programming tab (accessible from the main screen).
There should be an area for the locomotive number.
Click "read". The z21 will read the decoder and display the number.
Enter the ACTUAL number of the locomotive there, instead (use the delete key to remove the old number, then type in the new one).
Hit "program", when you see "ok", you're done.
Next... go to the "locomotive settings" area and pick the new loco. You'll see an area where the number is shown. Again, just delete the "3" and enter the real number.
Now go back to the locomotive control page, select your loco, and try again.
I've heard of it, but know nothing. Get out the manuels and read, and ask Digikeijs.
MOST decoders do a reset with CV 8 set to 008, to go back to factory defaults.
Mike.
My You Tube
RR_MelDo a decoder reset, the decoders address default is 3.
The OP may not know how to do that. The instructions say you can determine the loco address by button 4a. Page 6 of the 4th manual on this page
https://support.digikeijs.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001203338-DR5000-ADJ-Manuals-Downloads
I think that "button" is a radio button on your computer screen.
Maybe I am just stupid tonight, but I think my language barrier and the manuals, make the OP's problem a lot harder than it should be.
I love a challenge and the Digikeijs manual is as impenetrable as it gets.
The youtube video explains it all, if you understand German, which I do not. A more specific title, including Digikeijs, might attract someone who actually knows something, rather than someone who would be helpful with run of the mill, basic DCC questions.
Received my Digikeijs DR5000 today and got all the software installed and wifi set up. Hooked it up to a piece of track (no layout yet). Using the Z21 app I placed one of my 2 engines on the track and pressed the button for the throttle. The screen shows about 14 throttles/engines numbered from 1-14 to choose from. No matter which number I choose or which of my 2 engines I use, nothing happens. I suspect that my 2 engines have specific addresses but I bought them used so have no idea. I thought the app would somehow locate the engine, but obviously I have no idea what I'm doing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.