Roco 10805 Z21-Booster User Manual

May 15, 2024
Roco

Roco 10805 Z21-Booster

Product Information

Specifications:

  • Model: Z21-Booster
  • Input Voltage: 12-24 V DC
  • Output Current: Minimum 3A
  • Compatibility: Roco DCC booster-bus and/or Motorola

Product Usage Instructions

Booster Assembly:
Assemble the Z21-Booster in a well-ventilated location away from heat sources like radiators or direct sunlight. Ensure it is placed in a dry indoor area with stable temperature and humidity levels.

Connection to Two-Rail Track:
Separate both ends of the track for booster section 1 and booster section 2. Connect the Z21-Booster accordingly.

Connection to Three-Rail Track:
Separate all three rails for booster section 1 and booster section 2. Connect the Z21-Booster to the three-rail track.

Connection as Reversing Loop:

I f using the booster as a reversing loop module, ensure “auto.
Invertierung” is activated in the configuration settings.

Button and Configuration:
To activate/deactivate track output, use the buttons on the booster. Configure settings as needed for RailCom, auto inversion, or short circuit notification.

Technical Data:
RailCom is a registered trademark of Lenz Elektronik GmbH.
Motorola is a registered trademark of Motorola Inc., Tempe-Phoenix/Arizona (USA).

Important Information:
Please read all instructions and warnings carefully before connecting and operating the Z21-Booster to prevent permanent damage due to incorrect use.

FAQ

Q: How do I reset the Z21-Booster to factory settings?
A: Enter configuration mode (min. 3 seconds) and select the reset factory settings option.

Q: Can the Z21-Booster be used outdoors?
A: The Z21-Booster is designed for dry indoor areas only. Avoid operating in environments with high temperature and humidity fluctuations.

Thank you very much for choosing a Z21 booster from Roco and Fleischmann.
Over the next few pages, we will explain everything you need to know in order to connect the Z21 booster to your system and to commission it. This manual also contains plenty of practical tips. Please read these instructions and warning information carefully prior to commissioning.
Although the Z21 booster is extremely robust, it can become permanently damaged if connected or operated incorrectly.

Important Information

  • No guarantee will be provided for damage or malfunctions if you combine the Z21 booster with third-party products.
  • Under no circumstances may the Z21 booster be supplied with AC voltage.
  • Ensure that each Z21 booster has its own power supply unit otherwise an impermissible short circuit to ground can easily occur which could destroy your Z21 booster or other digital components!
  • Do not use the Z21 booster if the mains plug, mains cable or the device itself if defective or damaged.
  • Only perform connection work if the operating voltage is switched off.
  • The warranty will become void if you open the Z21 booster housing.
  • Work carefully and ensure that no short circuits occur when connecting to the track system. An incorrect connection can destroy the digital components. Consult your specialist dealer if necessary.
  • The Z21 booster may become warm when in operation. Ensure a sufficient distance between the booster and neighbouring parts in order to ensure sufficient ventilation and cooling of the device.
  • Never leave your model railway system running without supervision. An unnoticed short circuit can result in heating and represents a risk of fire.

Quick Start Guide

Intended use and function

The model railway system contains many power consumers that are connected to the digital voltage such as locomotives, points, signals, lights, etc. These components need to be supplied with power. If the system exceeds a certain size, the power from the track output of the control centre is no longer sufficient and boosters then need to be used. These boosters then supply new track and control sections with up to 3A. If the RailCom option is activated (activated as standard), the booster generates a so-called RailCom gap on DCC packages. This gap enables the use of RailCom local detectors or RailCom- capable track occupancy sensors such as the 10808 Z21 detector. The Z21 booster has been specially customised for the Z21 product line but is also compatible with older Roco control centres and boosters (RailCom may have to be deactivated).

Booster assembly

Assemble the booster in a location that is easy to view and has sufficient ventilation in order to be able to dissipate the waste heat. Do not position the booster close to strong heat sources such as radiators or in positions exposed to direct sunlight under any circumstances. This booster has been exclusively developed for dry indoor areas.
Therefore, do not operate the booster in environments with high temperature and humidity fluctuations.

Tip: When assembling the booster, use round head screws such as 3×30 mm screws.

Connecting the booster – B-BUS

The booster is connected to the control centre, e.g. Z21 on the „B-BUS“ or to another booster via the enclosed four-pole B-BUS cable. The connection on older control centres or boosters may be labelled as „Booster out“. In doing so, it is unimportant which of the two bushes are used on the booster. The booster accepts both the DCC as well as the Motorola protocol.

ATTENTION: The RailCom function must be deactivated if different mixed boosters are used (please refer to the Configuration Chapter for further information).

Information: If you do not wish for the short circuit notification to be forwarded to the control centre, this function can be deactivated (please refer to the Configuration Chapter for further information).

Connecting the booster – Power supply unit

Only switching power supplies with DC voltage output may be used to supply the booster with power. Under no circumstances may the Z21 booster be supplied with AC voltage, e.g. with a conventional transformer.
Ensure that each Z21 booster has its own power supply unit otherwise an impermissible short circuit to ground can easily occur which could destroy your Z21 booster or other digital components!

Tip: We recommend the Roco switching power supply 10851.

Information: How to calculate the power consumption of a H0 system:

  • Stationary locomotives with light: Approx. 100 mA

  • Moving locomotives (depending on size and load):
    Between 300 and 600mA

  • Illuminated carriages: Approx. 30 mA per bulb (Attention: Significant fluctuations.)

  • Digital coupling or smoke generator: Approx. 100mA

  • Digital points drives or points decoder: Approx. 500 mA reserve

NOTE: When using two different power supply units, it is essential to ensure that the stronger power supply unit (e.g., 10851) is connected to the control station and the weaker power supply unit (e.g., 10850) to the booster.

Connecting the booster – Track output

The rails are connected to the booster via the enclosed plug-in terminal. Use cable cross-sections of between 0.5 mm2 and 1.5 mm2 for supply purposes. The best option when dealing with longer track sections is to provide a supply approximately every 2 metres.

ATTENTION: If the power consumption constantly exceeds 2.5 A, the section is overloaded and must be partitioned (an additional booster is required). This ensures a small reserve in order to be able to safely switch points or similar devices.

Information: Ensure that the connecting tracks do not contain any condensers (often required in analogue mode).

Connecting to two-line track

Information: In three-line mode, it is important to pay attention to polarity as functional impairments may otherwise occur on older Motorola decoders. Please use rocker pick-up shoes at the separating points.

ATTENTION: It is possible for only the middle conductors to be disconnected and to keep the outer conductors connected if this is necessary for system related reasons. However, this is not recommended and is carried out at your own risk. In doing so, it must also be ensured that only Z21 boosters are used on the system.

Connection as a terminal loop

Buttons and configuration

You can configure and operate the booster via the button. Activate/deactivate track output:
If the booster is in normal mode (the blue LED is steady), the track output can be switched off by briefly pressing the button (the blue LED flashes). The track output is re-activated by briefly pressing the button once again.

Configuration:
In order to move into configuration mode, the button must be held for at least 3 seconds until the white „Config“ LED begins to flash (the track is deactivated in configuration mode). In doing so, the „Config“ LED displays the currently selected option.

The selected option can be activated or deactivated by briefly pressing the button.
This is signalled via a green LED for „activated“ or a red LED for „deactivated“.

By pressing the button once again for at least 3 seconds, the setting is assumed and the device moves to the next option. This is signalled by the illumination of the blue LED. Once the final option has been assumed,the device leaves the configuration mode and all settings are saved. The track output is automatically re-activated after 3 seconds.

Reset to factory settings:
If it is necessary to reset all settings to the factory settings, simply press the button for longer than 6 seconds until all LEDs illuminate and the blue LED flashes. This triggers the reset. The track output is once again automatically activated after 3 seconds.

Configuration option:

  • RailCom
    This option can activate/deactivate the RailCom gap (activated as standard).

  • Auto inversion
    This option activates auto inversion which causes an automatic polarity reversal of the track signal if the booster is used as a terminal loop module for example. However, it is also practical to not always have to pay attention to the track polarity (activated as standard).

  • Short circuit notification
    The notification of short circuits to the control centre is not performed when this option is deactivated. However, this booster switches off in the event of short circuits and automatically attempts to re-activate the track output every 3 seconds (activated as standard).

ATTENTION:

  • This option must be deactivated if neighbouring booster sections do not generate a RailCom gap (10761, 10764, 10768, 10830,10832, 10762, 10765 are unable to work with RailCom).
  • In terms of neighbouring booster sections, only one of the two boosters may have an active auto inversion as both units would otherwise reverse the polarity simultaneously which would lead to a short circuit.

Technical Data

  • Input voltage 12-24V DC (only use switching power supplies!)
  • Input current 3.1A max.
  • Own consumption 0.6W
  • Output voltage input current – 1.1V
  • Output power 3A max.
  • Overload protection thermal, current and power supply unit voltage measuring
  • Digital system DCC and/or Motorola
  • RailCom RailCom gap can be deactivated
  • Auto-inversion by measuring the current, can be deactivated
  • B-BUS short-circuit message can be deactivated
  • Dimensions L x W x H: 104mm x 104mm x 25mm

Scope of delivery:

  • Z21 booster
  • B-BUS cable
  • Plug-in terminal for the railway sidings

This symbol on the product, packaging or in the documentation means that this product cannot be treated as domestic waste.
Instead, this product must be brought to a suitable disposal point for the recycling of electrical and electronic devices. By correctly disposing of this product, you are making a contribution to preventing negative environmental impacts and hazards to health which may be created by disposing of this product incorrectly.
Recycling materials assists in preserving our natural resources. For further information concerning the recycling of this product, please contact your local public offi ce, your domestic waste collection service or the shop in which you purchased this product.

RailCom is a registered trademark of Lenz Elektronik GmbH
Motorola is a registered trademark of Motorola Inc., Tempe-Phoenix/Arizona (USA)

We reserve the right to change the construction and design

Please retain these instructions for further reference!

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