Has anyone used toggle switches & LED's with the DZ2500? SUCCESS !!!

When you tested off layout was the switch button connected as well as the toggle?  

I'm not actually sure how these machines work inside, but my first thought is that the input needs a 'de-bounce' circuit.  This is simply a small capacitor and a very large(high resistance) resistor, that will smooth out any chatter on the button or switch when it is pressed.  

Anyway, if the original button was connected in the test, it could have shared the debounce with your switch.  

JGL

I'm not sure if you can use a toggle switch when the 2500 is in one wire operation.  So, have you reprogrammed the switch for DCS, or 2 wire, operation?  I'm pretty sure you have since your test setup worked, but thought I'd ask.

Also, if you are not going to use the built-in TMCC capability of the 2500, I would go to the DZ-1000 machine.  The 1000 is less complicated and made for 2 wire operation and, per earlier forum posts, may be more reliable (I only have 2500s). Maybe Dennis can work a deal for you to swap.

If you want the 2500's TMCC capability, you may have to work with Dennis.  I've never seen this function combined with toggle switches.  If it is possible to wire this way, please post how here.

I will reply later today, got to run.

There are wiring diagrams associated with these DZ devices.  There are LED's and the appropriate associated push button switches.  Assemble and wire as directed. 

DZ 2500 wiring and instruction sheet(s).   Click on the link. 

Why not use the push button controllers that are supplied with the DZ2500?  It is easy to do.

I would really like to thank all of you for taking the time to reply to my post!  I think it is only proper for me to respond, (was working all day).

JGL - I think you are right on target, as you noticed I DID have the toggle AND switch button corrected!  I think that is probably the issue.  I did talk to Steve about NOT using the switch button, and he emailed me he didn't think it would be an issue.  Im going to work on this on Saturday and see if that resolves the issue.

Ron - I did NOT reprogram the 2500!  Im using Legacy only and didnt think I should reprogram it, but that makes sense.  Im going to give that a shot.  I couldn't agree more regarding the DZ1000, actually this is not my layout, I have the DZ1000's.  This is a Dr's layout he and his son (Atty) tried building.  And have given up on the electrical.  So I am trying to bail them out.  I will post how I resolve it.

Mike - I have reviewed the documents many times, but I didn't see a drawing that showed an external LED's or external toggle switches.

Joe - There simply is not enough room.  Unless those switch buttons were just mounted in a grid patter.  Their are 34 switches, on a very small control panel.  (Will post some pictures on Saturday.)

We had upgraded a module control panel with DZ switches and push button, similar to Joe's panel.  In most cases you can add a second DZ1002 push button assemblies.   This module has dual control with two sets of  push buttons.  It also has control via a Lionel SC-2, (6 of the 7 shown).  (4) of the pushbutton/SC-2 control sets move cross over pairs  of  DZ 1000 switch motors.

One side

The other side

Questions contact DZ (Dennis)   Click on the link for contact information.

Here is a picture of the Control Panel, it is 17x24.  3 Mainlines, 34 Switches, 15 Sidings.  Hard to see but the silver spots are toggles, and 2 LEDs for each one.  Also Led for indication.

See your problem.  I guess the question is how do they want to control the switches?

If they are mainly running conventional and want to control their layout from the control panel, I think going to 2-wire operation is the best bet. You would lose the switch's built in TMCC capability.  If they should also want the capability to control the switches through the Cab1/2, you could add a SC-2 or ASC to control the switches in 2-wire mode.  This would complicate the wiring effort.

If they control their trains via TMCC/Legacy and they want to keep the 2500's TMCC function, I would see if they would consider taking the switch controllers off the panel and putting them on the edge of the layout near the switch it controls.  For me, I walk along side the of the train as it goes around the layout, and use the controllers to operate the switches (except for routes, I find this easier than using the Cab2).

Good luck 

Don, 

If you've proven that the switches work as they should when the original button is also connected, a simple solution might be to just connect those supplied buttons as well. You can then have the switch panel at the control station and place the buttons along the layout near each switch.  I've seen folks mount the buttons right on the layout near the switch, or on the sides nearby.  This would also open up control a bit because you could throw the switch from the control panel, from the TMCC remote, or from the button at trackside.  

JGL

I do not think the problem is in the switch or the switch machine.  I had a similar problem and it was a ground problem causing a derail activity.  Good luck.

SUCCESS !!!  I am going to do something different (for me), I am going to post here on my first post (which described my problem).  What the conclusion was and how it was resolved.  (Trying to minimize the amount of reading needed to understand, really want to share this with others.)

I was trying to connect 34 Ross Switch motors up on a layout so that I could;  1.  Have independent toggle switches on a Control Panel with corresponding LEDs for each switch indicating its position.  2. Provide control of the switches using a Cab 1 or Cab 2 remote as well.  (As it turns out the solution works with DCS as well.)

I had tried everything I could think of, and with the replies I received here was not able to make it work.  Even though every reply was helpful and beneficial.  I had sent an email to Dennis Zander of Z-Stuff, and unfortunate for me he was away at a train show I believe and was not able to respond for a few days.  When he returned to his office, he replied within 18 hours!  Dennis took the additional effort and SENT me the schematic below:

(Please refer to Z-Stuff web site for DZ-2001, for wiring instructions)

Upon review of the schematic, I immediately found my problem!  I had connected the 12vac (red) wire to the center pole of the toggle switch, and NOT the Ground/Common (black) wire to the switch!  Fortunately, I had ganged all the center pole 12v wires to a standoff, and connected that standoff to a 12v source.  ALL I had to do was remove the 12v connection to the standoff and connect a ground (black wire) to it!  Everything worked correctly immediately! 

The toggle switches (momentary) mounted on the Control Panel work perfectly, and the LEDs respond accurately!  Huge relief!  The programming of the switches to the TMCC or Legacy system is easy.  (This does require the DZ-2001 Data Driver ($20) to be plugged into the back of the command base.)  In programming it is a simple 3 step sequence using the CAB 1 or CAB 2, programming 1 switch at a time thru the blue data wire.  (Each switch is assigned a unique ID number, in my case I have 30.)  I have 2 cross-overs, and it was no problem assigning to switch motors the same ID #, and they switch together!  So now I can switch each one manually (at the switch), use the button provided by Z-stuff mounted near the switch (if desired, or not even have it wired in at all).  Operate the switch from the toggle on the Control Panel, or operate it from the Cab 2 !!  This is fantastic!  IF I had DCS on the layout I can connect two wires (green and yellow) to the AIU and operate the switch from the DCS Remote!!  (train club application)  A huge benefit is the cost effectiveness, can have all I mentioned above with out using ANY of the ACS2 or ACS3  units.  (I would have needed 8 of them at what $120 each?

Dennis had indicated to me that with the DZ-2001 Data Driver I could use it with an infinite number of switches.  There was only 1 drawback.  IF one of the switch motors died, none of the switches would work, because they were all connected to a common buss for connection to the Data Driver.  He suggested to overcome that make individual groups of switches say 4 or 5 switches per group, and put a toggle switch (ON/OFF) on the buss wire for each group.  Then when a problem does occur, you could turn all the toggles off and turn them on 1 at a time, to find which group has the defect.  Then you only have 4 or 5 switches to investigate.

I really want to compliment Dennis on his Customer Service, and the development of the DZ-2001 Data Driver!!  It is GREAT!

Don,

Great to see Dennis was able to help you get it working.  I did not know you could wire the 2500 that way.  While I do not have a central control panel, I will save Dennis' diagram above in my DZ folder for future reference.