Did you buy and hook up the data wire driver?

Jim D.

You need 3 connections-power, common & a data wire connection.  The data wire connection is with a DZ-2001 Data cable.  Do you have the DZ-2001?  Assuming you have the instructions, the basic wiring scenario is Figure 3 on page 2.  If you want to keep the pushbutton and LEDs combine figures 2 & 3 in the instructions.  It requires one more connection between switch machine and pushbutton.  If you don't have the instructions, google DZ 2500, and it's the first entry that comes up.  Get one wired correctly and you've got it made.  Good luck. 

Yes, I have the DZ-2001 hooked up to the TMCC base.

I followed the instructions repeatedly.  Then returned to it a few weeks later and tried again.

A friend had suggested disconnecting all the DZ-2500 machines but one, and program that one, then disconnect it and connect the next one.  I will try that next. 

Any other suggestions?

Maybe your trouble lies with programming the DZ 2500.  I don't have one, but looking at the instructions, I can see it may be confusing.  I would start there, then if no help, check your wiring again and get one of the machines operating and they all will be the same once you get it down pat.  You'll get it.  Good Luck.

You are probably not programming the machines correctly.

First check to see if the machine is in TMCC mode. Do this by turning the power on after you have wired the machine. When turned on the leds will alternately flash for 2 secs. and then one led will remain on. If this works go on.

If the red led isn't lit press the button to throw the machine and the red led lights.

Next press and hold the button on the machine. The machine will move to the green position and the green led will light. Keep holding the button until both red and green leds alternately flash. The instructions say 4 seconds, I say it is more like 6 or 7 seconds.

Then press the sw key on the cab1 or cab2 and the number of the switch followed by the through button. While doing this observe the red led on the data wire driver. It should flash when doing this. If it doesn't the machine is caught in an in between throws status or there is a short in your system. Once the commands have been sent the red led should flash continuously indicating the address has been set.

An important part of this whole system is the data line. If the red led doesn't flash there is a problem and nothing will work until the problem is fixed. If you can't get it to flash when wired to the layout unhook the data wire form it and try again. If it flashes the try one machine hooked to it.

Do this procedure one at a time until you get things to work.

Ron

Ron,

Very clear instructions.  Thank you.  I did the early steps.  However, I don't think the red LED flashed.  I will not get a chance to get back to the trains for around 10 days (I live most of the time in Manhattan and I have the trains out in the Poconos).  However, when I go back, I am bringing your very clear instructions with me.

THANK YOU!

Sandy

Wire the data wires in groups.  It makes it easier to troubleshoot. If one machine is in DCS mode it will take take them all down.

Jim D.

So you are connecting your TMCC base, the one with the CAB1 not Legacy, to the DZ2001?

Cjack,

Yes.  I had the DZ2001 connected to the TMCC base.  I only have a CAB1, not legacy.  Any particular reason?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Yes, the Legacy base almost cannot drive a DZ2001, or not at all if there is anything else connected to the serial port. The TMCC base however can drive them easily. There is a "booster" for increasing the drive if you go to Legacy.

I don't have any advice about the DZ2500s though. I do know of layouts that use them and they work well.

Sandysimon Jim D is correct in the DCS mode and wiring them in modules is a good idea. They also will not operate if one of them gets stuck between throws. If you check the red LED on the data wire driver it will flash when you send switch commands. If it doesn't flash when a command is sent one or more machines is either in DCS mode or stuck between throws. That is why I suggested a one machine at a time approach. I have a data buss and on it I have 3 wires with alligator clips installed on the ac hot, common and data wire. I hook them up to a machine then program it and test it. If it works then I install it on the switch. I have had a couple that would take a program.

Ron

Ron,

Being stuck in DCS mode may be the problme.   I will try to do them one machine in a time.  No - the red LED did not clash when a command was sent.

You gave very clear instructions on how to handle this.  I am hoping to get out to the trains next weekend and rectify the problem.

Thank you again,
Sandy

I just went through all of the programming steps and everything seemed to go right:

- started with the red light on

- held the switch on the DZ-2500 until the red and green lights alternated rapidly.

- On the CAB1 I pressed the SWITCH button, then a number, and then the AUX1 button (same as the THRU?).

- then pressed the button on top of the Switch to exit programming mode.

What do I do now on the CAB controller to have it switch positions?  I pressed the SWITCH button and a number - but what next?

Is it something really obvious I am doing wrong?

Thanks,

Sandy

To operate switch-  SW # (the switch # -like SW - 1) -then-  AUX1 -straight or AUX2- divergent

I don't know about the programming steps yet, so I can't say if something went awry at that stage

I have run through the instructions again and tried to keep careful notes:

1)      When I turn the power on, there is no flashing of the lights on the DZ-2500.  It just goes on.

2)      I put the switch in the RED position.

3)      I held it down, and it turned green, and after a number of seconds, it started to alternate between green and red.

4)      When I let go of the switch, it flashed faster.

5)      I pressed SW and the a number and the AUX1

6)      I saw a light flash on the TMCC base, but the LED on the DATA DZ-2001 did not change.

7)      The light continued to flash back and forth between green and red.

8)      When I pressed the switch, it stopped flashing. 

9)      When I press SW and then the number and then AUX1 or AUX2, nothing happens.

Any suggestions?

Sandy Simon

You're not saying how long you hold the buttons down when you try to set the address.

On the CAB1 I just press the SWITCH button momentarily, then the number button momentarily, then the AUX1 button momentarily.  For the button on top of the SWITCH MACHINE, I have to hold it for 5-7 seconds before it starts flashing back and forth between red and green.  Then I let go.

- am I supposed to hold each button down on the CAB1  longer?

- am I supposed to hit them at the same time?

I feel like I must be doing something really foolish - I have been struggling on this on and off for a year.  Thanks for any suggestions.  Tonight I am cutting the data wire from all of the switches and I will try to hook up the data wires one at a time.  If it matters, I have a transformer dedicated just to proving power to the DZ-2500 at 14V.

Thanks!

Z stuff recomends pushing the thru button again if needed, or holding the thru button down for a few seconds...or can use the set button instead.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

I am not sure what made the difference.  However, this is what I did, in case any of you run into this difficulty:

1) I cut all the data cables and hooked them up to a panel so I can separate them one at time.

2) After holding down the button on the top of the switch, it turns green and then after 5-7 s it starts alternating green-red.  Then I let go.  Then I pressed SW, then the number, then I held the AUX1 button down for five seconds. 

3) Each switch machine reacted differently (I have done four of them so far).  One just turned green.  On one the red light came on and then the green flashed.   I hit the button on the top of the switch until it responded.

Now the CAB-1 controller is WORKING!  THANK YOU THANK YOU so very much.  I will spend tonight finishing up the remaining switches.

Sandy

Glad you got it working. Remember one thing; if one of the machines should get stuck in a partial throw it will stop the whole system and none of the machines will throw. If your machines are installed carefully this problem will be rare. You will know if everything is operating correctly by sending a switch command and watching the red LED on the data wire driver to see if it flashes when the command is sent. If not, one machine is caught. If you can remember which machine is the last you sent a command to, a press or two on the switch machine top button will usually put everything back into operation.

Ron

I finished going through the first 18 switches and I found the problem: There was one DZ-2500 that had melted down!  it looked like there was a short, or something inside, and it had black burn marks on the bottom and the case was melted on one side.  Everythign appeared to be wired right - and the track right next to it (including the plastic ties) had no marks.  Alas, I am sure it is out of warrantee, so I'll replace it.  however, it was that one bad switch machine that keep everything else from working.

This emphasizes the importance of suggestions that a few of you made to me at the beginning: Check the switches either one-at-a-time or in small groups.

Thanks!

I would contact Dennis at Z-Stuff and explain what happened and see what he says.

Ron

what do you mean by "DCS mode"? How do I tell if it is in that mode? How do I get it corrected? My problem is similar with 17 DZ-2500s but none seem to have melted down. I will try one at at time. 

Thanks

Paul