I was wondering if there are installation instructions for the TCS z2 decoder for the azl gp30, gp38 and sd70/75. All I can find is for the azl gp7. I know there are drop ins from digitrax available for the 30/38s but was hoping to use TCS dexoders. I am also looking for instructions on installing the z2 in the mtl f7. Any help would be appreciated.
Check out http://www.wiringfordcc.com/zmtf7.htm for the F7 and the DZ decoders. I believe the Z2 will also fit. I haven't done it myself because of the machining involved to get a decoder to fit. There have been several posts online for the terminal connections for the AZLs, but I haven't bookmarked them. Check out the AZL forum or search for DCC posts by Rob A. Hope this helps, Mark
Yoshi, AZL boards have numbers that match to the corresponding wires. 3 is red, 1 is orange, 6 is yellow, 5 is white, 2 is grey, 4 is black. Ed told me that the Gp30 and Gp38 boards do not follow this. The good news is I hear Tcs is working on a drop in decoder.
The TCS Z2 will fit into the F7's with a little work. I have installed 2 so far, one A unit as well as a powered B unit. I used the instructions for milling and installing the digitrax decoder with a few little tweaks here and there. http://www.wiringfordcc.com/zmtf7.htm Their isn't quite as much room in the B units for wiring so I used a cutoff wheel to make a groves for the wires to fit into along the sides & top of each frame half. I will try and post a few pictures of how I did it a little later today.
Here is a link to a few photo's I uploaded to photo-bucket. I couldn't get them to upload here. Notice how I cut the grove in the outer part for the Red wire to fit into. I eventually cut similar groves for each wire I then soldered it to the pickup tab and filed it down smooth. This really helped with getting reliable power to the board which resulted in a much smoother running locomotive. I also made a small fold in each wire and ran it along the side of the board and back so as to give a little slack and allow for easier disassembly should I ever have to take it apart for maintains. http://s935.photobucket.com/user/Tjdreams/slideshow/F7%20Decoder%20Install I will be installing 2 more Z2 decoders in F7's in the coming weeks and will try to get some better more detailed photos to post here.
I honestly don't remember if the solder points very from loco to loco. We have had a great many minor changes to the PCB over the years. The GP 30 / RDC / GP38 all use the same PCB *BUT* some have a brass tab that connect the solder pads, others have a small trace that you will need to cut. As I recall, its pretty easy to trace the pads - rear pads go to the motor, middle pads go to the rails, front pads go to the LED lights, but double check them to make sure that’s right. All these locos are 12v compatible. Best, -Rob
I remember there being a wiring diagram for the sd70 pcb online. Anyone remember where or have it. I can't seem to find it.
I think you will find it on page 2 of this thread. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?82441-Z-Scale-Decoders
The SD70/75 is basically the same as the GP7: http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/C...ctures/Z_Scale/AZL/GP7/AZL_GP7_Z2-Decoder.php It is the wiring connections that may be different. Like Rob says, power on the middle two, LED's on one end, Motor on the other. Colors are always the same: Red, Orange, Yellow and Black, Grey, White (notice the theme?) .
Thanks. That was what I was looking for. I'm new to DCC so trying to figure out the various options for z scale locos I have before I jump in.
