Considering using the DZ-2001 Data Driver as opposed to the ASC2 modules. Do have the DZ2500 switch motors. Seems it could be a very cost effective alternative.
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Don,
I use the data wire driver. It works well. I use it with 18 dz2500 switch machines. No problems at all. Well worth the cost considering how many sc2s I was going to need. The only issue with the driver is if there is a problem with a switch machine it will take down all the switches, meaning you would have to disconnect all the switches to find out which is corrupting the signal. I've Had my driver in place for several years now and it has worked very well.
I use the data wire driver. It works well. I use it with 18 dz2500 switch machines. No problems at all. Well worth the cost considering how many sc2s I was going to need. The only issue with the driver is if there is a problem with a switch machine it will take down all the switches, meaning you would have to disconnect all the switches to find out which is corrupting the signal. I've Had my driver in place for several years now and it has worked very well.
Joe,
Thank you very much for your reply! Usually when something seems too good to be true it usually is. In consideration of using the Z2001 in lieu of 7 ASC2 units at $120 each for only $20, it seems to good to be true. When I talked with Dennis he recommended to me to group the switches into quantities of 5 or so, and run different "bus" wires to each group from a terminal strip, to make identification of a problem switch easier. I plan on using the unit with a total of 31 Z2500 switch motors on a Legacy based system.
Thanks again!
Don,
Joe is correct in that one switch can fail and bring the whole system down. Having a way to isolate a few switches at a time is critical to trouble-shooting DZ-2500 malfunctions. I think Dennis' recommendation is the best, although I think you need to add an on/off switch between the terminal strip and the first switch on each run. I've seen layouts where an on/off switch is put in line on the command wire every 5 or so switches to use to isolate switches.
Ron, that's a great idea, I will incorporate it! This forum is awesome!
Don,
It is exactly the economy of the DZ-2001 Data Wire Driver that influenced me to install one back in 2006 when I started building the layout. Recently I added 5 switches (on the lower level yard). The key is not to exceed the 75' limit for the Data Wire bus. When that happened, I spoke with Dennis Zander and ended up splitting the bus into 2.
Each took a DZ-2001 (you can daisy chain them). I have 1 bus that works perfectly and the second has 2 suspect switch machines. Debugging is much easier when you have smaller numbers of switch machines. Mine are mostly DZ2500a's and about 5 DZ2500c's.
George
Keep in mind that the use of ASC's (4 switches per ASC) or SC-2(6 switches per SC-2), Lionel products, are usually done with DZ 1000 switch machines v.s. the DZ 2500 machines.
The DZ2001 part was designed to fit the (9) pin connector, top of the original TMCC command base, then the Dat/Com wire plugged into the DZ2001. It should also be adaptable to the Legacy system since the original TMCC command base can be cabled to the Legacy system. Check with Dennis Z.
Don(Cerritos)......
I can only say if a dz 2500 gets hung up and keeps energized it will take out the dz 2001A been there 3 times if you cannot instantly turn power to it all off.
I went the ser-2 route used tortoise machines no more issues last 2 dz-2500 on layout are now only push button controlled.
I'm not inferring dz products are inferior only what I myself have run into using them is all so you can decide for yourself.
if above happens you will know as the red led light on dz 2001 a will no longer light up indicating the board has a electronic do dad that was taken out from switch machine hanging up.
not sure if a fuse can be installed so it rather than dz 2001a gets taken out.
