Z-STUFF DZ-1000 switch machines & DZ-1002 controllers--LEDs whew!

Classic Toy Trains Forum
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I am finishing the control panel in the area around my turntable. The panel will be the subject of a future thread. The panel controls various accessories and fourteen(14) switches that are near the turntable and transfer table.

I decided that I would use the DZ-1002 controllers and install them on the panel itself. They are small and easy to attach. I am also using MTH DCS to duel control the switches.

One thing that you notice using the AIU alone is that the indicator LEDs on the switch machines will NOT stay lit after the switch is thrown UNLESS it is attached to the controller as well as the AIU. So as much as I would like to forgo the panels and unless I am willing to invest in more Z-Stuff stuff, you need a panel . I guess I could locate controllers around the layout near the switch machine, but that would look too busy.

The problem I am having is that there are no internal wiring diagrams for either device from Z-Stuff; the switch machine or the controller. The hook-up wiring shown in the instructions doesn’t explain that in some cases I have had to reverse the position polarity of the LEDs to get them to work.

I’m not referring to the fact that you can remove and reverse the location of the LEDs to match the turnouts, but instead I have needed to reverse the LED themselves by removing them and then turning them 180 degrees and reinserting them. I’m guessing that the LED acting as diodes restricts the direction of the current ( Without a wiring diagram I am just guessing that that is what I am doing) in each device and screws up the operation such that the LEDs either won’t stay lit or pressing the opposing buttons on the controller switch the opposite line direction on the switches.

By reversing the LED the problem is cured.

Alan

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alan, that sounds odd. as i recollect, they can go in only one way. one side of the LED is fully rounded while the other is slightly flattened. this matches up with the holes where they are mounted. i guess it is possible this has changed in the year since i finished putting in my switches, but i would doubt it. maybe they were assembled incorrectly at the factory.

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Alan, agreeing with fjerome I used the DZ-1000 but used momentary DT switches and LED lamps from Radio Shack instead of the DZ buttons. To find out how to wire things I took a DZ button set appart and basicly duplicated it. I did find that if I wired the LED lamp backwards the LED’s would not stay lit. This came up when I changed the DZ location on the turnout and had to change the green and red LED’s for proper mainline indication.

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I had dissected one too, but decided to use the controller as it is.

I know about the flattened edge that would appear to orient the LED correctly. However, as I oriented the controllers in line with the track switch lines on the panel . All controllers are oriented the same general way, except some of them came out opposite to the line drawing on the panel.

So the LEDs needed to be reversed and is NOT set with respect to the flatten edge in the LED holes.

You need to see the panel to get this; I will be posting this soon.

Alan

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Has anyone spoken to Z-stuff on this matter?