I bought some yellow Nano LED's, but have yet to try and solder them. They really are tiny. I just used the 0603's as they were fairly cheap off ebay, something like $30 for 100. I broke about 4 before getting the 2 to work. It's finicky work. I cut off the plastic ditch lights and drilled #80 holes then soldered solid brass wire legs to the SMT's and ran them under the deck. Then I soldered the decoder wires to the brass legs. It's very finicky, as that project took me a whole day. I probably would have broke about a dozen 0402's trying to get them soldered in place.
Soldering 0402's It is definitely a challenge when soldering 0402 LEDs. I have melted 2 maybe 3 out of 10-12 so far. Unfortunatley, they were the white LEDs. Expensive little buggers! It's ok, I have more! Tin that wire good and quickly attach it to the LED! That is the way to do it! Sounds easier than it is! Hobo Tim These are 0402 white LEDs as headlights!
Robert and Rob, You also forgot to mention the seam for the isolated cab on the SD75I (I = Isolated Cab). Rob, I think you, Rob and Hans should seriously consider sending the first production samples to Robert for him to tear apart before going to full manufacturing. Randy
Randy, When I used to build airliners, a major manufacturers would release pictures of the test molds do that everybody could provide him with their comments. They found out that the modellers were so good at spotting mistakes on the molds that it actually save them lot of problems. Modelers like Robert, Glenn, and others would make a nice committee. I have about 5 AZL engines, and the SD70 got to be the best looking shell they ever made. The only thing is that you have to install the snowplow, then it looks awesome.
Yesterday we ran the single SD75I on our ZBT modules for about 2 hours, and it ran just fine. Jeff Merrill pooped his pants when he seen it run fast, saying he heard me say it was fast, but did not think it was this fast! It ran very cool too, only being slightly warmer than ambient after pulling 15 cars for 2 hours. It only can pull 15 cars on our modules, because we have much more "Bend" in our Z-Bend track modules than many clubs. This morning I installed another NCE 4 function decoder into my other SD75I, but did not wire the headlight or ditch lights yet, as I just want to double head them today at Jeff's. We are secenicing out modules this weekend, and doing a bit of test running. Poor Jeff smoked hid Markling F7 with NCE decoder yesterday. No assignable cause was found, it just burst into flames under the shell. As soon as he said he smelled smoke, I pulled all the locos off the track, and almost dropped his because it was so hot. Something must have been shorted, but we saved the shell before it melted down, even though there were 2 black flame spots and a melted dimple, we caught it before it got any worse. I also brought my MRC Sound equipt Pacific over, and after making a false start, the motor would no longer turn. Sound worked fine, but no motion forward or reverse. Overall, DCC is a big hassle! It seems every other loco converted either burns up the decoder, melts down the trucks or shell, the decoder looses it's mind, or just plain stopps working until you are alone and test it fine at the bench. (stage fright). Still, I love the challenge of DCC. -Robert
It was a great weekend. Got lots of scenery down on my End module, a stall point for me as I'd like realism and detail and just don't have the confidence in method or color, not have all that experience. But I have to drive, motivation and creativity. Like Rob says, "just an hour a day". Rob planted hundreds of trees while I continued work on my roads and details of the End module. FINALLY, I am happy! Ready for all the little things and permanent fixtures. I CANNOT believe speed of that AZL SD70 that Rob tweaked ! It has to be nearly double that of my two ! Gotta be re-motored or geared ! Mine are coming apart to be tweaked and DCC'd. They pulled great too. Sunday Rob added a second one that he DCC'd that morning. Running as a pair MU, they pulled a hefty load of 24 mostly weighted cars. When they periodicaly decoupled from the cars, they took off at twice the speed so they were definitely under load but no detectable heat and still at low voltage (about 1/3). The fixed pilots and non-MTL couplers are a pain. They're not quite the same height and with no swing, you have to have a good weighted car behind it or they're going to un-couple. But they really run NICE. And look good too. Rob's right, DCC can certianly be a pain. I've all kinds of quirks too: Tested and running the night before not working the next day, everything. Yeah, we've fried decoders, wheels, everything but it is soooo nice to run multiple trains, any direction, anywhere on the layout. And with our unique Y and passing tracks, we can run various speeds and directions - very prototypical. That F7 ran for a good many times around when I slowed down to a stop. We prepared to go to dinner when I smelled something. The only thing I could find was the motor was drawing almost 500ma, about 2-3x what I normally see. MAYBE I did not slow it down to 0 and it was sitting "stalled" at the lowest voltage but whatever, it fried the decoder (as in ash) but Rob saved the shell. It runs fine now with a new motor. But we're better for the up coming shows and it was 104 degrees today, a new record.
Mad skillz! Robert, you have really outdone yourself (again)! Wow! Just what is your camera? It takes amazing macro shots!!!
I am bored out of my mind, so I went back to some of the earlier threads, and this is what I found. A list roadnames for the SD70. I din't know they had release a list. Seattle, WA... AZL has made public the impending release of EMD SD70 and EMD SD75s. This announcement was made during the National Train Show held over the weekend in Seattle, Washington. AZL will be releasing seven different configurations. The locos will be available in 12 roadnames. The release will be injected molded and feature a Faulhauber 8mm coreless motor, dual flywheels, working headlight and a decoder bay. Though subject to change, the proposed pricing for locomotive is approximately $225.00 each. The release is planned for late spring, early summer of 2005. The following roadnames and versions planned include: SD70 (standard cab) - Conrail, Illinois Central, NS SD70I - CNR SD70M - ATSF, NS, SP, UP SD70M (flared) - UP SD70MAC - Alaska, BNSF, Conrail, CSX, TFM SD75I - CNR SD75M - ATSF, BNSF Further information will appear in Ztrack Magazine as it becomes available. Rob Kluz Ztrack Magazine Ltd. 6142 Northcliff Blvd. Dublin, OH 43016 phone/fax: (614) 764-1703 www.ztrack.com AZL has also released the F59PHI in many road names they have also made the Bombardiers, Surfliners, and California cars to go with the engines. These are all injection molded as well and the price reflects that. You just need to go to www.ztrack.com and check them out for yourself. Paul York
At last, official confirmation of the SD70 standard cab! And all this time, I've been raining on everyone's parade when they ask for an SD70MAC. But that's entirely because I heard other people say how unlikely it was and how AZL had no known plans for it. Now, I see that they do.
Well, I wouldn't take this for gospel truth that the SD70MAC's wll be released. This would be the only time that AZL mentioned the MAC's except to say later on that they can't be done with the same chassis. Randy
Sorry to rain on your parade. This was the orginal concept list from 2004. Much as changed. SD70MACs are definitely not part of the run. I won't confirm or deny the rest of the list, but I can say AZL has changed their plans and roadnames since this list. So what do we know? The SD70M UP, NS and SD75I CN are acurate! Rob
And although there has been no formal announcement yet, some folks with sharp eyes saw prototypes for the next few releases at NTS 2006. As Rob said though, we need to help AZL meet their sales goals before they can release the next run. ;-)
Well, I've bought 4.............so far. Still saving some cash for Conrail, and upcoming AutoRacks! I think I'll pass on the coalporters, though. Been waiting too long, the anticipation has waned......... mg: I'm betting steam for the next brass, btw. Big steam. Hans likes big steam. :shade:
Rob, you are beginning to sound like sargeant Schultz. Sorry about making fun of you, but its great to talk about z scale trains.
I know nothing... absolutely nothing! Of course, like Sgt. Schultz, I can be bribed with chocolate. Rob
