Large Scale Central

New Zimo system

Electronics DCC
#1

I’ve been learning my new Zimo system, yes I have jumped ship on my beloved NCE system.

I’ll be posting on this thread about what I have learned, sort of an ongoing blog about the system.

There is a lot to learn, but I’m getting a handle on it.

Greg

#2

Whoops, two pictures of the same side. The back side has enough connections to make everyone happy

#3

More progress, have not been able to test everything, but from the markings on the connectors, have figured out how to charge the cab units with a 6 volt supply.

There’s a lot to these units, complicated, but very capable and configurable:

#4

So, if we get one, do we have to learn the language its programmed in, or will the later ones come in American?

#5

My tips page has setting the language to english as the #2 step, just after the #1 step, turning it on (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

I’ll be writing a quick reference guide that parallels the way we normally start up a DCC system here, everyong can benefit from my learning curve.

http://www.elmassian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=639:zimo-mx10&catid=19&Itemid=849

Regards, Greg

#6

Greg

How are you liking this system?

#7

I suspect that his silence speaks loudly. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#8

I like it, and was prepared for the complexity.

I won’t recommend it to beginners until the firmware is finished, the “easy” mode is not available yet, nor consisting.

It does have a ton of features, and can do pretty amazing things.

Greg

#9

Our own Mr. Pierce is having fun with his !

#10

Actually I don’t think Dan actually owns one yet.

The system has a touch screen, the easiest way to throw DCC turnouts I have ever seen.

I’ll try to post some screenshots.

Greg

#11

I have the older Zimo MX1 system, Greg has the latest state of the art system with a color touch screen display and you can load your own pictures in color of your equipment.

Mine is 8 amps to the track, Greg has 20 amps in one base station, he should never need a booster!!

#12

Oooo behind the eight ball again are we!

#13

I have no clue how you believe that phrase applies… would you mind explaining yourself?

Greg

#14

Sigh … Greg forget I even said anything.

I was joking with Dan that’s all … (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif)

I was just trying to jokingly imply that Dan should get the new unit like yours. Boy …

#15

Ahh… I thought you were Sean, but the definition of that phrase implies in a difficult situation, in a precarious situation, etc.

Dan is in a great situation, and I’m sure he got his hands on the MX10 system to check it out earlier that anyone in the US (I think the other distributor is in Canada).

I see you wanted to joke, but knowing Dan, I believe he is also impervious to envy.

Anyway, was just trying to figure out what you were saying Sean, if you were just trying to derail the thread, or just imply something sinister in Dan’s situation. Thanks for clearing it up.

Now maybe we can get back to the thread, and hopefully make it informative and helpful for others, this is a new product with a lot going on, and there are many questions being asked.

I just got the latest software version, and they restored the nicer icons for switches, you can choose an icon on screen that shows a turnout and even set it’s orientation to match the way you see it physically on the layout. Since the system has a touch screen, you just tap the icon.

Recently several people have complained that turnout control was difficult in DCC systems, cannot get easier here, completely visual and no buttons to push.

Greg

#16

What type of engine are you using the system in.

Has Zimo improved or upgraded any new decoder things , that would go with this newer item?

#17

Umm, this is the Command Station, Booster, and wireless cabs… I’m using it for my 850 foot of track.

I have a number of different decoders, but have mainly Zimo, QSI since I like sound.

There are a number of unique features on these decoders, and the Zimo command station supports a number of features on Zimo decoders, like downloading sound files, no longer have to buy separate decoder programmer.

You can also tune the sound parameters, mainly volume of individual sounds very easily on the throttle.

Those things don’t make a lot of difference to me, since I’ve been programming stuff for years with different programmer modules and software.

But there are really cool features, like how the system handles a short, and this is programmable. It actually will lower the voltage to limit max current, and has a bunch of programmability in how it does this, very sophisticated.

Bottom line, much less likely to melt something if you have a short. The NCE 10 amp booster can support up to 20 amps for a short time and I’ve fried some main boards in locos from derailments. Now that I will be running the Zimo system at a continuous 20 amps, I appreciate extra levels of “safety”.

There is a huge amount of programmability on the cabs, which is a pain at first, but you can customize the system so that it works the way you want. The command station has an actual database inside, so once you have defined a locomotive, any throttle/cab can use it with all the settings, including custom icons for the function “keys”… this really helps when you get decoders where the bell, whistle, lights might not be at the standard function numbers.

Greg

#18

I finally got a MX10/MX32 system. Thanks for the English settings as it was very hard to find in the manual, manual in the future could use a key word index.

Greg, did you know that the MN key is also a half speed key? On my layout I do not need a function key for half speed, the MN key does this and with other manufacturer decoders.

I am now trying to figure out how to add my own loco pictures.

PS, Sean lives less than 2 miles from me.

#19

I’ll bring the Hudson( Zimonized (new word?) by Dan ) to help test it out!

#20

Dan, I’ve been trying to make a quick start guide, and also documenting things that are either not in the manual, or presented in an unclear manner. See what you think, and comments are always welcome. (be sure to do the .18 firmware update too, the .17 was bad)

Main Zimo page:

http://www.elmassian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=360&Itemid=404

MX10 and MX32 page:

http://www.elmassian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=639&Itemid=849

Charging the MX32:

http://www.elmassian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=647&Itemid=887

Zimo decoder tips: (needs updating)

http://www.elmassian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=652&Itemid=902

Regards, Greg