TCS announces 2 new DCC decoders for AZL and MTL

Train Control Systems of Pennsylvania announced on their website 2 new decoders are due to be released.

The Z2 typical wired decoder is .25"x.5" (6.35mm x 12.7mm) for soldering into AZL SD70/75 or GP7 locomotives. Listed as end of December. These will fit flat on the chassis, under the long rear LED, a VERY easy install.

The MZA4 drop-in decoder for Micro-Trains GP35 and GP9's due in January 2009.

www.tcsdcc.com/NewDecoders.html
www.tcsdcc.com/DecoderSelection/Z-Scale/Z2.html

There are links to many dealers in your states but don't expect them to have any yet. Prices are not set yet.

What are the advantage of the MZ-4 compared to the DZ-123M0 from Digitrax ?

Jérôme

Primarily 4 functions versus 2, in case you want to: add ditch lights, yard beacon, remote operation beacon, cab lighting, etc.

Price and delivery competition.

Better LED illumination

I wonder what the supply of these will be like, given the problems of when the MO123's first came out.. But i am interested in these.

I guess some will do a review?

t.

I ordered two of the Z2s from Norm's Train World at $21 each. I have been using the CT Elektroniks DCX 75s for the SD75s with mixed results. I remove the rear light and install it there, rather than in the cab. The decoder has to be tilted diagonally to fit and there seem to be some problems with contact of the front pads of the board. If you wiggle the board a bit from side to side, you can get contact. Perhaps a little solder on the board's front contacts will improve conductivity by making a bit tighter fit in the clips. We'll have to see how the Z2s work out. It would still be nice to have TCS come out with a drop in decoder for the AZL locos.

John

John, it sounds like your pc board is a little warp. I use electrical tape between the contacts and the led. That fix my problem.

Tuesday 12/9: I spoke with John Forsythe, Owner of Train Control Systems (TCS) whom I discussed the decoders with at NTS. The Z2 for the AZL GP7 and SD70/75's are now shipping. These 2 function decoders sit on the chassis, under the rear LED and wire to the 6 contacts of the light board, after slipping off the bronze shorting bars used for DC operation. These new decoders are 0.26" (6.6mm) wide decoders easily fit flat on the chassis. No more taking the cab off of the shell. Installation pictures will be posted around the end of this week. www.tcsdcc.com/NewDecoders.html

The MZA4 will be ready on time in January.

All of these decoders have BEMF which he has successfully demonstrated in N and HO locos. Excellent low speed operation and in consists, one of my worries. The BEMF drops out at higher speeds, can be turned off altogether with CV61 and can be toggled on and off with F6 on the Cab control. Very cool !

Jeff
SF Bay Area Z

Jeff, Can any of these model be used in a steam loco? Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

Jim, the Z2 is narrower than the norm but really too long for the steamer cabs (under the roof, above the motor). You are better putting a Digitrax DZ125 (without the red plastic wrapper) or a Lenz Silver Mini ($10 more, less current capacity but remove the clear plastic wrapper).

It is easier to physically mount them in the tender, where you can also use an N scale NCE Z14 (just slightly wider but PLENTY of room in the tender). Run the long wires between the cab/motor and the tender. Paint them black in between.

Jeff
SF Bay Area Z

Thanks Jeff. Good to know. This question comes up from time to time. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

I just went to the TCS website to see if they have posted installation pics for the Z2 and the website is down. It was down last night as well. Hopefully it is because they are updating it

John

The TCS website is back up and they have instructions a nice series of photos showing the installation in a AZL GP7. I am looking forward to receiving mine and seeing how they work

John

John,
Seems it wasn't a contact problem after all. After fiddling with it for awhile to no avail, I did a hard reset of the decoder and that did it. Now they work fine. Seems the DCX75s didn't work after I cleared the consist the two SD75s had been in and I had to reset both decoders

JOhn

That is why I don't like doing Advanced Consists. 1] you are either running it from an unfamiliar Consist # <127 (some DCC Cabs will show the lead loco number) and 2] you mess with the Consist CV that doesn't always clear correctly. You can easily drop any locos this way, rather than just the last one (if you have 3 or more)

Run an Old Consist where you simply add the locos with their real numbers.

Jeff
SF Bay Area Z

I just received a couple of the decoders I ordered from Norm's. For those of you who have already installed the new Z2, how do they work - any problems with BEMF?

John

I now have Z2s in three of my SD75s and they work great. The problems with consisting are gone with this decoder - I think it was something about the CT75s. I made a consist and then cleared it with no problem. It is also nice that the Z2s let you run your locos on DCC or DC without programing. It has an autodetector and also enhances performance on DC. This is great since my home layout is DCC and the club modules are DC. So far I am really happy with these new decoders and plan to change out my Digitrax equipped MTL geeps with the new TCS drop in ones when they are available

John

Any news on the Z4 decoders for MTL Geeps?

John

On their website, TCS now says the new decoders for the MTL Geeps will be delayed until March. Bummer.

John

They've been having problems getting the board thin enough to fit the notches. It is spec'd that way but not what they have been receiving. 3rd time is the charm !

Jeff

Yesterday I was running some trains on my layout and had switched from DCC to DC so I could run a couple of AZL brass locos. Later I ran an AZL SD75 that had a TCS Z2 decoder installed, which auto detects DCC or DC so you can run on both. On DCC I programmed a strobe just for fun. I was quite surprised to find that the special effect worked when I ran the loco on DC! If not a fluke, that is another bonus of the new decoders. Can't wait for the MTL Geep drop ins to arrive.

John