DIgitrax DCC Drop in for the GP35 / GP9

Don A Oct 27, 2006

  1. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

    771
    7
    19
    Received these Digitrax decoders today. Can't tell you to much as I have to read the directions since I don't know what I'm doing here.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. rray

    rray Staff Member

    8,277
    9,277
    133
    I'm never buying from Tony's again! I still don't have any and I ordered way before anyone even knew they were out!

    -Robert
     
  3. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    4,596
    550
    72
    Dont worry Robert. I am sure you will get yours soon. It may not be the fault of Tony. One time, it took the USPS a month to deliver one letter. Anyway, looking forward to all the testing on decoders.
     
  4. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

    771
    7
    19
    Something about the folks that live on the far coast and over the mountans vs us old old old New Englandites. Maybe he got the last order on top of the pile and yours being first is at the bottom.

    I'm open for trades..
     
  5. rray

    rray Staff Member

    8,277
    9,277
    133
    I should have known better. When the Lenz LE0511's came out I ordered 10, and it took several months till they showed. When the DZ123's came out I ordered 10, and they took months to show.
    When the MRC N Scale sound decoders were announced I orderd a steam and a diesel, and they took forever to show.

    So I decided to order from someone else next time, and I ordered the Uhlenbrock 73400 decoders from some Canadian outfit, and it has been months, still no decoders. I went ahead and ordered 5 more of them from another vendor. Still don't have those. I have orders for over 20 decoders outstanding so far. Why do I always have to be the last guy to get them? And when they finally show up, I end up with beta samples with firmware errors that take them all out or some other nasty side effect. :(
     
  6. rray

    rray Staff Member

    8,277
    9,277
    133
    I just checked my bank account, and I have not even been charged for them yet.
     
  7. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    4,596
    550
    72
    Robert, I was a inch from sending a order to Tony for 6 decoders and the NCE starter set, but I thought it was wiser to wait. I wait till the pioneers work out all the bugs first.
     
  8. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

    771
    7
    19
    I thought the same thing, but there seemed to be a line running in a number of DCC information areas, that once Digitrax made the first batch, it might be 6 to 9 months before they sent out the second batch. Since Joe had a Beta version several months ago and indicated they seemed pretty good, I figured i'd take a chance. If they turn out to be bad, I am sure Digitrax will stand behind them - so in reality it is a win to buy them now. If they work, I get a 6 month jump -- If they don't work, I am no worse off for not having them.

    ...don
     
  9. rray

    rray Staff Member

    8,277
    9,277
    133
    when did you send your order to Tony's and when did you get yours Don?

    I just figured out the math...
    I ordered 10 at the 10 pack discount price, and you ordered 6 at the 4 for discount price.

    Sell all the small orders you can first, then deal with the discount order guys if there are any left! :(
     
  10. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

    771
    7
    19

    Bad Math. I ordered and received 10. Order was made 7:30 am [ 4:30 am your time] on October 16. I am a repeat customer however from at least several years ago. Not sure of just when, but the phone number he had was an oldie business line that has been discontinued for about 3 years.

    There is something else to be considered here. I had contacted Digitrax quite some time ago [months before your recent posting that they were available] AND posted Digitrax's answer on some of the forums. Do a Google for my name and Digitrax. It is quite possible Tony's saw that contact/answer and put me near the top of the list. Of course it is also possible it was just plain luck. Someone has to be first -- and last.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 27, 2006
  11. rray

    rray Staff Member

    8,277
    9,277
    133
    Doh! I can buy all I want now here in town, for $35 a piece! But an electronically and software wise identical DZ123 is only $15.50!

    So much for convience!
     
  12. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

    771
    7
    19
    DZ123's for SMART folks and DZ123M0's for dummies like me.
     
  13. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    well at least they'll be easier to convert to a 3 or 4 function with all that room. The ground is real easy to tap for a single transistor inverter for the Forward LED (F0F) to free up the second output (FOR) for another function like a MARS or Gyro light.
     
  14. david f.

    david f. TrainBoard Supporter

    1,266
    28
    30
    i hope someone will post pictures of the modifications you're talking about. i'm lost.
    dave f.
     
  15. rray

    rray Staff Member

    8,277
    9,277
    133
    Jeff plans on using the front headlight function to toggle 2 LEDS. When the front headlight is on, the front LED will be on, and when it goes off, that will drive an extra transistor he installs to power the reverse LED.

    This way he free's up the real reverse LED function to use for a rotary beacon on the cab. I'll make sure there are photos of the mod.

    What my idea is, would be to add 2 of these circuits, so the front light function will drive ditch lights, and the reverse light function will drive front and rear headlights.

    -Robert ;)
     
  16. zmon

    zmon TrainBoard Member

    231
    0
    14
    Hi Guys;

    Dumb question, but as i'm new to DCC i'll just ask. I just ordered my first GP35 and SD70, and will be going to all DCC with the next layout project. Are the drop in digi-trax decoders still available? For a new comer, is this a kit? the pics listed above look like a nice kit. also any word on drop in units for the SD70 yet?

    zmon
     
  17. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

    771
    7
    19
    No question in trains is dumb. Can't answer as to whether they are still available but I see many dealers are beginning to post their availability. The pictures above are of the same circuit board, just top and bottom of the same board. If you read the photos of the installation instructions, also above, you will see that installation is just a matter of removing the circuit board presently inside the GP35 [or future GP9] and replacing it with this circuit boad -- and off you go into DCC Land. I may put one in later today -- just haven't had the time as my "To List" keeps growing faster than I get stuff done.

    ...don
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 28, 2006
  18. rray

    rray Staff Member

    8,277
    9,277
    133
    I just got home from work, and no decoders in the mail. Checked the bank online and I have not been charged for them either. Bummed. And I got my order confirmation on the 13th!

    At least I got the replacement motor for a Casey Jones loco I bought, that had a bad motor. I'll work on DCCing it today. ;)
     
  19. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

    771
    7
    19
    Robert:

    What is your method of removing the motor springs in a GP35 so you don't tear them up, but have a good grip on them so you don't launch them into orbit?

    Put one DCC in a GP35 a while ago. Only problem was that I had to file the circuit board a tiny bit as the notched openings for the motor mount frame clips were just a micron too small. Other than that "even I could do the installation". I would think someone who was savvy around Z Equipment could probably do a complete tear down / install / check out / reinstall the shell in less than 10 to 15 minutes. It really is just a removal of the old board and install the new board. No soldering.

    ...don
     
  20. rray

    rray Staff Member

    8,277
    9,277
    133
    Yeah, I think 4 toothpicks, a pair of super pointy tweezers for the springs, and a needle file are all you need? :D
     

Share This Page