Hi All, Steve from Portland Oregon here. I received a Power Cab for Xmas, and went to a hobby shop yesterday to get Decoders for MT GP35 and AZL GP38-2, I purchased Digitrx as they were only ones available at the shop, I attempted to install them and found to my "suprize" that they do not install easy, and would need modification to be installed. Anyone who has done this, please contact me or send me to the correct post on this board. BTW Cascade Z-scalers Modelers (CZM) who see this please contact me so we can have a meet / show.:headspin::frustrated:
I have done the AZL install a few times now and find that all I had to do to make it a good fit was file down the excess solder tabs on one end so they could slide into the clips on that end. Digitrax has a video on their website showing an install, but they didn't show the filing down of the tabs. http://www.digitrax.com/support/vid...llation/dz123z0-installation/?product=dz123z0. I don't have an MTL GP-35 so someone else can chime in on that one.
Steve, how about after I get my train room filled with modules and things running, you come down and we'll have a mini meet right here. I've got to get my DCC going too. I'll be using NCE myself, but not the Digitrax decoders. We both have a learning curve to get over. Jerry Craig knows the stuff pretty well I think and so does Mike Skully, but he refuses to move down to Medford and by my guru.
modelwarships - i was able to install the azl decoder with your help thanks loren - as you are the only otheer CZM member to reply so far, might be a good idea
To dcc the GP35, you need a 123mo or the tcs MZA4. with the TCS, all you have to loosen up the chassis, then drop the decoder in place and tighten up the chassis. With the 123mo, you have to widen the slots to accept the decoder. Its better to be a little to tight then too loose. If its too loose, the board will not make good contact and the engine wont run.
For the MT GP-35 do a search for "TCS MZA4 Decoder Installation for Z-Scale MTL GP35" http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/Z_Scale/MTL/GP-35/MTL_GP-35.html The digitrax decoder installs the same way. I've installed a few and some dropped right in, others needed to have the grove in the 4 post filed open (made a little wider) for the board to fit correctly. Take your time and file a tiny bit at a time, test fit and file again as necessary. Again and I can't stress this enough Take Your Time and only file a tiny bit each time. Its better to test fit 100 times than take too much off the first time as replacement parts can be near impossible to find if you screw up. Here is a link on how to do the modification if necessary http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Cont...sis revision/Micro_Train_Cassis_Revision.html Also be very careful with the motor contact springs. What ever you do don't loose them as they have bin on backorder Everywhere for well over a year now.
Steve, CZM has requested space at the Great Train Expo to be held January 25 & 26th at the Expo Center, We have not received official confirmation yet. http://www.greattrainexpo.com/schedule.html If you bring your DCC system we can run it on one of the loops. I have a number of DCC engines, and if Mike Scully comes down from Seattle he will be running DCC. If you have any modules we definately can use them as Brad will be a no show (in Hawaii- lucky dog) and we haven't heard from Chris and Robin. Hope to see you there!
might be able to make the show, but module is still in drawing stage, and still having problems with the MT GP35 conversion, are you up to doing a meet some eve / weekend?
