Guys, if you need some installed, send me a private message. Dave is correct, the newer version of the DZ123 is the DZ125, which is pretty much the same decoder, only smaller and has Back EMF. -Mike
Mike, excellent report!!! Thanks for sharing, this is a decoder installation that definitely needs a photo howto
Slim, sorry, but it won't work on the 60's. They have the split light boards and the frame goes all the way to the top. I have hard wired a DZ123 into a few of mine, but it involved quite a bit frame cutting and filing. This was before TCS came out with the CN and CN-GP decoders. One of them would work pretty easily, as it looks like just a small amount of frame filing will be needed, along with the isolation of the motor contacts (just like the GP38-2). -Mike
Since you gave such a good guide to this thing I figured I would try it for my FIRST decoder install. ( I know..you said not to). Since I have about 6 of these units I got at the going rate I thought being out 30 bucks wouldn't be such a hard lesson "pocket book" wise. I wanted to have a small roster ready when I plunk the money down for my system early next month. When I put the loco on the track (DC) it ran like a dream but the headlights are always pointing the wrong direction. I swapped the white and yellow just in case I had a odd decoder (DZ123) but no luck. Any idea on how to make the lights swap directions? They work, they are just backwards Thanks Mark
Wow I'll do that as soon as I get home. With 6 more of these to do thanks to this thread I should breeze through. Thanks folks Mark Edit.. Fixed it. Swapping the black and red lets me see where I am going instead of where I was. Thanks again.
Mark, glad you found the thread useful. I have never ran these on DC, so I was unaware of this problem. Glad you found out what the deal was and can now see "ahead" -Mike
Mike I see you yave quite a bit of experience with the the DZ123. I have installed one in a LL GP20 and one in an Athern SD70. They both seem to run about half as fast as they used to before the install. Now they don't move until about half throttle. At the same setting, my other locos with drop-in decoders run circles around them. Have i missed something or is this normal for these decoders? Dennis
Dennis, like Dave said, it sounds like it's in the CV's. I have had this happen before to some of my locos. You can try to change CV's 2, 5 and 6 (start voltage, max voltage, mid voltage) You can also change CV29 to speed table on setting and mess with CV's 67-94 (speed table) If you don't have it already, you can download the CV paperwork from Digitrax - http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/decodermanual.pdf That will help you out with all those CV's. If you need further help, post the question in the DCC forum, lots of smart people on here can help you -Mike
Outstanding I did one of these a month ago. Sure could have used your info then. I ground the whole board and got new resisters from radio shack. I like your use of the OEM resisters better.
DCC READY OR NOT ? I just picked up one of these locos (Seaboard System). Under the plastic loco cradle was a folded paper with disassembly instructions and DCC CONVERSION instructions, that says to remove the factory board and install a board of brand designed to fit, slide back in and reassemble body. Did the manufacturing design change or is this false information or a dis-connect ? .........
That's the same piece of paper I got in mine when I bought it a few years ago. Ignore it. No decoder was ever made. I have, somewhere, a graphic that a Walthers employee sent me about how to go about modifying the frame to fit the decoder that fits the Atlas GP38-2, but I almost think you'd be better off just hardwiring one according to this thread.
Another question: Spookshow's locomotive website list that the same mechanics was used for L-L GP units. Q: Does that mean that the shells are interchangeable ? Does the GP-18 and GP-38-2 share the same wheelbase ? If so, then the latest run Walthers GP-18 mechanics that are DCC READY should swap with the GP-38-2 - in theory - ???
MIKE !!!... Kudos my friend ! I just installed a TCS Z2 in one of my LL/Walthers GP 38-2's !! I followed these easy instructions and the Loco runs great !! This was my FIRST decoder install and I found your tutorial invaluable !! ^5 .
Wow, this thread is over a year old? Where'd the time go? George! Awesome! Glad it helped you out .... and for your first install too???? Wow!! Mike
Actually....I Googled the install...and your post on TB come up in the results. See just how good you are...lol. *On a sad note...my SECOND install...of a CN-GP in one of those Katos...didnt go so well. Lights are on...but no go :-( The lights dim when I apply throttle. I suspect a short somewhere. Oh well...time to tear it down and try again...LOL .
George, check the orange and grey wires. They might be touching the frame where you have them soldered to the motor. Tape them up real good! Mike
