20. Reviewed: Cobalt ip Digalt by DCC Concepts

[@kevinclayton8551]

I've just seen your cast on the Cobolt IP digital point motor, I run 30 plus of these ,I noticed that you left the point spring in place, this is defeating the idea of slow action,remove the spring and you get a more prototypical movement and a smooth transfer with no rifle shot sound,I hope this will help.

[@theengineshed359]

Hi Kevin! While conventionally I would agree with you, in my case having the springs in place is redundancy if you will, along with guaranteeing the point blade will change the position the rifle shot noise you describe is an audible indication that the point has thrown. And if I'm on the other side of the layout and can't see the junction or fiddle yard this is a most reassuring noise and tells me the trains will pass unimpeded 90% of the time. I now have 82 of these in operation at times though I wish it was only 30! Appreciate your comment, Kevin! Cheers, Ben.

[@phillipg1588]

Interestingly for Peco points, they don't recommend removing the point springs as it serves two purposes. ONE for springing the point blade firmly against the stock rails and TWO it keeps the point blades intact negating the point blades from popping out. Apparently some folk have had this occur.

[@anthonysurman8192]

Did you take the spring out of the point..? the action seems real snapy...when its supposed to be slow action ..!!

[@theengineshed359]

Anthony Surman on some yes but others that are hard to access and maintain i tend to leave the spring in place.

[@clairekeliher4031]

I have just purchased these point motors for my Restoration project in conjunction with the Cobalt Alpha switch setup. I have not yet begun the installations however I intend to have the points on their own accessories bus for the DCC and the control system which is NCE Powercab will br separated which will simplify any possible fault finding issues which may occur. The restoration project was originally a DC layout however that was in 1973 and DCC offers a lot more advantages than the older technology which was available at the time. The Cobalt motors also have the advantage of being able to control signals from the outputs on the connector using terminals 4,5&6 which is a plus when using these as a replacement for solenoid motors.😄

[@paredding]

Interesting to read about the addressing as several of mine have lost theirs and I thought it was my installation. It would be v useful if there was a way of tracking the batch nos through the serial nos of each motors but unfortunately there is no label on the unit or the box.

[@eveannwallis4939]

If you've used the track bus to power the units, I've found that short circuits on the track can cause the address losses. I've changed to having a separate DCC Accessory bus, by using a power booster to provide the power. If you have live frog points used the 2nd three terminals to power the point frogs. Don't use the third terminal that you would have used when using the track bus. Since I've done this, I've not experienced lost any addresses with the units. You can still control the units in the normal way including using hand held throttles etc..

[@paredding]

@@eveannwallis4939 Thats great Eve as I have had a couple of short circuits and my power comes from the same output on the EcoS unit. Will get onto it and make the change which could be easy as all Cobalts are fed from one bus ie not separate conns to the track. Do you have any recommendatios for the power booster? Paul

[@Holomint2003]

Just curious as to which control system you are using, colour display with a large silver control knob at the top is what ?

[@theengineshed359]

I use an ESU Ecos command Station and have had little to no problems with it at all fantastic bit of kit

[@davidmaguire6084]

Can these be used on fleishmann twin centre digital controls??

[@theengineshed359]

I believe they can be yes. It still might pay you to check the DCC concepts website for clarification. Cheers - Ben.

[@davidmaguire6084]

Cheers Ben

[@jeffjaekel2558]

The Direction sheets are also available on their web site. Much larger Print Lol!

[@Ballinalower]

Very easy to follow. I watched to the end hoping you would answer the important question, which for me is connecting to the frog so that it receives the correct track polarity. But you didn't. I bought 3 boxes of these based on earlier reviews and then for health reasons my layout remained half built for 3 years. I am just now reaching the point of installing these. But having read some of the comments I am now having second thoughts. I am 80 so getting underneath the layout for the initial installation is hard enough. If I have to keep doing so I will probably give up. I spent my point motor budget twice over on these things. DCC Concepts should be ashamed of themselves for selling stuff when they must be aware of the problems. And if they are rude to customers then how the F... do they stay in business?

[@theengineshed359]

I appreciate the comment but would kindly remind those quick to critisise, that this channel is in no way is affiliated with DCC Concepts or the products they produce. Everything I review on this channel is paid for at my own expence and thus the video is a reflection of my experience not an endorsement of a proprietary nature. If you feel that the product does not meet your expectations or fails to perform as advertised then I encourage you to take this up with DCC Concepts directly, voicing this opinion in this matter is not in the spirit of this hobby or the community whom view this channel. I trust you will regarless continue to enjoy the hobby and hope you find a satisfying resolution. Regards.

[@JamesSmith-mv9fp]

The word "Cobalt" concerns me. The reason being that Cobalt can be radioactive (Co 60). And it's known that some 12v DC motors produced in the US contain radioactive cobalt magnets. US Radioactive restrictions are not as stringent as they are in the UK. Where such motors are supposedly banned. But that hasn't stopped ignorant citizens from importing such items from the US in the past....... !!!!

[@richardray6827]

I had twenty of these fitted but changed back to Tortoise motors and switch 8's. The Cobalt motors needed reprogramming very regularly. I seriously do not recommend this product.

[@theengineshed359]

Sorry to hear that Richard! What command station do you use? I know some of the older manufacturing runs of the cobalt units had some compatibility issues but fortunately, these have a lifetime warranty now. Be good to hear back and will keep a sharp eye for the reprogramming bug... Cheers Ben.

[@richardray6827]

The Engine Shed These were purchased six months ago. I use a NCE PowerCab, RaspPi, JMRI. I was having to readdress them about once a week. It mainly occouredwhen a locomotive shorted. I have had a detailed and lengthy discussion with DCCConcepts and followed all their advice. I installed fuses more. After going back to Tortoise motores and Switch 8's I have had no problem at all. It was extremly frustrating and took hundreds of hours trying to solve and reprogramming.

[@theengineshed359]

@@richardray6827 I hope I don't experience the same issues, but thanks for pointing it out I will keep tabs on them. Cheers... Ben.

[@flinthillsmodelrailway]

Have you spoken to DCC Concepts ? i had the same issue after a short. There is a fix for this issue

[@theengineshed359]

geoff Hammond i personally havent had an issue with them yet. What was the solution geoff?