Yes, on the Train Control Systems website they have 2 new decoder due to release for the Z Scale market. The MZA4 is a drop in decoder for Micro-Trains Locomotives Z-Scale Diesels due in January 09, and the Z2 is wires decoder, the most powerful in its class hardwire Z-scale decoder, and their smallest decoder at .25"x.5" (6.35mm x 12.7mm) for soldering into AZL locomotives. It is due out this month, but they don't have any official news yet. If we fire off a barage of requests, maybe we can speed this thing out the door! http://www.tcsdcc.com/NewDecoders.html http://www.tcsdcc.com/DecoderSelection/Z-Scale/Z2.html
Great news Robert. Now we have more choice of decoders in z scale. Maybe AZL should work with TC on their drop in decoder.
Robert--I've looked at the Montana logo for months trying to figure it out--I need a little help. Fred
Thanks Robert for the cool news.. My fellow club members and i have been waiting for someone to come along with decoders that fit without serious work to the shell. I'll keep an eye on these guys with you. Tony B... Wasatch Z Club
Well, I guess my cash and heart felt conversation to beat someone else to the door would pay off !!! But they decided to go mass-market with the GP and not the SD-70 !!! Now order the request the damn things so that we can swing it that way ! I'll call again ! .
Seems a bit funny since they would have cornered the market with a drop in for the SD70 series. Makes you wonder if these companies actually do any research into what the market needs/wants. John
Tha AZL units have a different board for the SD70 and the GP7, but the same solder points. The MTL units have the same board for all locos. Also, the long skinny decoder can fit a lot of N and HO engines that other decoders don't fit. As far as soldering in the AZL decoders, for those that can solder, it is much faster to install a solder in decoder to an AZL thant to do the tiny spring dance with a GP35 drop in board. I can solder those 6 wires in under 5 minutes, including the time it takes to cut each wire to length, strip the insulation, and tin the contacts. Many times it takes longer to get the shell off. I think the MTL Drop In is a 4 function decoder, so ditch lights and other goodies are possible.
Correct, 4 function. I am having John Forsythe confirm the lighting effects available. We had talked about a double notch universal board for the AZL and even a break away wide board that would fit both MTL and AZL. Like Rob says, easy to solder the wires on. Get yourselves a pair of quality wire strippers (Ideal, woo woo woo, etc.) that will strip down to 30 AWG or better. It makes life so much easier. .
The MZA4 (MTL) and Z2 are both 4 function? Or just the MZA4? Either way this is way cool! Decoders that finally easily fit in the various Z shellz.
I suspect the Z2 is a 2 function but it was supposed to be a 4. The announcement was sort of a surprise as just a little over 2 months ago, the were non-specific. I'll know tomorrow. .
I ordered a couple of the Z2s from Norm's since the price seems very reasonable. It is a little narrower than the CT Elektroniks DCX74 or 74z and a lot less expensive. John
On Norm's website it says that the new TCS Z scale decoders have "auto adjusting" BEMF. I remember reading somewhere that some motors don't like BEMF. Will the BEMF be a problem with AZL motors? John
Yes, we don't like BEMF in Z. Just find the CV number for BEMF in the instructions, and what value is OFF, then just use the CV programmer to punch in the values. That will turn off ballistic speed, and be smoother for your coreless motors. For Marklin motors they might work, but I have had bad luck with Marklin locos burning out decoders of all brands, even TCS M3's with 1 Amp surge capability. Marklin motor brushes flop around too much, and whenever a motor shorts (gray and orange wires effectively touch), the decoder will burn out. I have burnt about 10-15 decoders in Marklin locos so far. 6 in one loco over a 4 year period until I got a clue. Every year I burn a decoder, then throw that loco in the repair box. Every year I repair all my burnt locos. Then I woke up. When both floppy brushes touch 2 commutators at ones, (as when a loco changes direction can happen) the decoder burns up. Any decoder, especially the ones they say are short circuit protected...
We'll have to wait for the documentation and test runs to see how it impacts performance. Maybe they have it figured out. But in general, BEMF with consisted motors is not a good practice. A lot has changed since the NTS discussions but I am thankful they took a chance on Z and got them out in record time ! .
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. http://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 ! Norm's Train world and some others will get them ASAP. There are plenty so if your LHS or website doesn't carry then, they should be able to get them in days. So lets get the orders in and make this investment a hit ! Jeff SF Bay Area Z
Last night I checked the TCS website to see if they had uploaded any installation pics for the Z2 but the sight was down. I just checked and it is still down. Hopefully it is down because they are updating it. I ordered two more Z2s from Norm's so I can put them in all four of my SD75s. John
