DZ-2500

The manual https://www.zstuffexpress.com/...bd0dd69ef5e97f61.pdf

You could use 22-24 gauge wire without concern. These are not drawing Amps of current.

That said, having used both types- I actually would recommend DZ-1000 VS 2500s given my experience with them.

The DZ-2500 is intentionally a slower switching machine. This might look more "scale" and I can understand why someone might think they want it- but the how it achieves that low speed is by the electronics tickling the tiny motor with pulses of current. This means that any extra friction or load- the switch motor may fail to move. In other words, they are relatively weak- and no increasing source voltage is NOT a fix. They use regulator internally and all you are doing by raising source voltage is more heat in that regulator.

If you connect up and desire the anti-derailing function- again these are slower switch motors and while the anti-derailing function is faster- it's not the same as instant and given where your sensing is and speed of the wheels- probably won't be effective at switching before derailment happens.

You are not even using the built in wired TMCC control function- you are using ASCs- so again not even using a built in function.

I am not trying in any way to bash the DZ-2500. Obviously it is designed for a purpose and has a lot of features. That said, experience and real world usage on multiple layouts- I found that now I much prefer the snap fast and strong operation of the DZ-1000.

As with any internet advice YMMV.

Bash away Vernon!   I use the DZ-2500's, and if I had it to do again, I'd go for the Tortoise switch machines!  I'm not at all happy with the reliability of the DZ-2500's.

On one point I'll disagree.  The non-derailing is more than fast enough to switch before a train comes through, I've run stuff around at 90 scale MPH and the non-derailing is always fast enough.  The problem with the non-derailing is a short sensing rail, sometimes the first set of wheels may not reliably trigger it.  For stuff on the mainline, I've added a short section of extra track for the non-derailing sensing to make sure the train gets detected.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Bash away Vernon!   I use the DZ-2500's, and if I had it to do again, I'd go for the Tortoise switch machines!  I'm not at all happy with the reliability of the DZ-2500's.

This makes me feel better that I decided to go with Tortoise for all the switches on the new layout. I miss the "instant" throw, but the reliability has been consistent.

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Thanks for the replies!

It looks like I'm stuck with using the DZ-2500! I have at least 15 of them.

Did someone allude to the fact that these can be used 'directly' with TMCC instead of the ASC ?

I posted some pics of what I have to deal with. There is a CAB-2, TPC-3000, TPC-3000 platinum, and some other device by Lionel  Which has another device attached.  If I remember correctly (from another post of mine), it is some sort of data driver for the DZ's.

Remember when I linked the DZ-2500 manual? Now would be an excellent time to review that. https://www.zstuffexpress.com/...bd0dd69ef5e97f61.pdf