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11 replies

DZ-2500 Problem (Updated 11/21/15)

Serows1Serows1OGR Forum Member

 

(Original post)

Hello All,  I have 5 DZ-2500 switch machines on Ross Custom Switches and I found that whenever I have a derailment the switch machine closest to the derailment starts to throw back and forth or throw one way by-it-self.  Dennis over at Z-Stuff has been fantastic, I've sent them for repairs and he fixed them at no charge!  Thanks again Dennis!!  He did mention that the switch machine processor goes crazy when the non-derailing function is used and there is a derailment.  So, I am currently installing 10amp breakers and Transient Voltage Suppressors on all of the track circuits to protect the layout electronics.  I was wondering if anyone else has had this issue and what you did to prevent it. 

 

Paul

 

 

(Updated post)

It's been almost a year and I haven't had the above issues since I installed the Transient Voltage Suppressors across the non-derailing contacts.   I do have two switch machines that for whatever reason are doing whatever they want when I press the switch button so I believe the issue is unrelated, maybe just the glitch that others have complained about on the forum over the years, so I'll be contacting Dennis to see if he can take a look at them.  But after a derailment the switches all work like they are supposed to since the addition of the TVS's.

 

Here's a picture of the TVS plugged into the no-derailing circuit which "seems" to have taken care of the my switch issue. 

 

 

I'll keep an eye on things and update again in a few months.....

 

Paul

 

Last edited by Serows1
Original Post

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Serows1Serows1OGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by bluelinec4:
Wow Paul. Where have you been. Welcome back

Thanks Ben, I've been around but there has been very, very slow progress on the new layout and I've just not had anything constructive to contribute.  I'm making more time to work on the layout so you will be hearing more from me.

 

Paul

P phillyreadingOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Serows1:

Anybody with the same issue.... I installed the TSV's on the negative contacts for the non-derailing feature figuring it's the only contact the switch machine has with the track but should I have installed them on the power and ground contacts instead?

 

Paul

I have put the TVS across the hot & negative to protect against the high voltage spikes that may occur and not across the negative side.

 

Lee Fritz

S SantaFeFanOGR Forum Member

Paul,

Would you post the specs on the TVS?

 

Seems you would want the TVS on the non-derail connection and common.  But I may be completely wrong.  What does Dennis suggest?  I am putting about 50 of the DZ2500's in currently so very interested in your thoughts. 

 

Also, what euro connector did you use?  The wires on the DZ-2500 are very small diameter and I can't find good euros for this smaller wire.

 

Thanks!

Serows1Serows1OGR Forum Member
I'll post the specs of the TVS's later when I get home and your right on the connection of the TVS, it bridges both track connections of the non-derailing feature which is the only electrical connection the switch machine has to the track. I wasn't very clear earlier in my description. 
 
The euro connectors I picked up at Radio Shack about a year ago before they went bankrupt.
 
Paul
 
Originally Posted by SantaFeFan:

Paul,

Would you post the specs on the TVS?

 

Seems you would want the TVS on the non-derail connection and common.  But I may be completely wrong.  What does Dennis suggest?  I am putting about 50 of the DZ2500's in currently so very interested in your thoughts. 

 

Also, what euro connector did you use?  The wires on the DZ-2500 are very small diameter and I can't find good euros for this smaller wire.

 

Thanks!

 

S SantaFeFanOGR Forum Member

Thanks.  I was actually thinking the TVS (2 of them) should go from each non-derail input to the black wire from the SW machine (track common).  Each non-derail would be connected to track common when the wheels bridge the insulated rail, which is where there would be a chance of a spike.

 

On a derailment, unless it is over the insulated rail where the non-derail connection is located, the spike can't enter the non-derail inputs.  Strange that a TVS across those inputs would do the trick.  But again, I am not speaking from a practical experience - so hoping to learn!

 

I plan to run a power lead to the DZ-2500 from the ZWL transformer I have, but the black lead on the DZ-2500 I plan to tie right at the switch outer rail.  The potential for a ground loop would be avoided in this manner with respect to the non-derail inputs.  I also plan to use TMCC control (via an iPad); so a serial line needs to run to these as well.

 

Let's keep this thread going and hopefully we can all benefit.

 

 

 

Last edited by SantaFeFan
Serows1Serows1OGR Forum Member
I hadn't thought about it like that but your right, if all of the transformers are phased together and share a common ground it would more sense to have 2 TVS's, one for each non-derailing wire to ground.  I installed mine thinking that the only contact the switch machine has to the track are the two non-derailing connections but hadn't thought about the ground.
 
I might rewire them but I still can't explain why I haven't had a problem since I installed them and the amount of derailments hasn't decreased at all, unfortunately.....
 
Paul
 
 
Originally Posted by SantaFeFan:

Thanks.  I was actually thinking the TVS (2 of them) should go from each non-derail input to the black wire from the SW machine (track common).  Each non-derail would be connected to track common when the wheels bridge the insulated rail, which is where there would be a chance of a spike.

 

On a derailment, unless it is over the insulated rail where the non-derail connection is located, the spike can't enter the non-derail inputs.  Strange that a TVS across those inputs would do the trick.  But again, I am not speaking from a practical experience - so hoping to learn!

 

I plan to run a power lead to the DZ-2500 from the ZWL transformer I have, but the black lead on the DZ-2500 I plan to tie right at the switch outer rail.  The potential for a ground loop would be avoided in this manner with respect to the non-derail inputs.  I also plan to use TMCC control (via an iPad); so a serial line needs to run to these as well.

 

Let's keep this thread going and hopefully we can all benefit.

 

 

 

 

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