Digitrax DZ125: Much luck?

[CaptOblivious]

I've just not had luck with the DZ125. Every last one I've ever installed has failed, and more often sooner rather than later. The last one ran fine for about 60 seconds before failing—no burn marks or release of magic smoke, but it causes a short circuit whenever I put it on the tracks. Indeed, I've probably killed a dozen of 'em, and most for no clear reason whatsoever. I've also killed a number of TCS CN-GPs and TCS Z2s—but TCS tech support tells me that these two models are rather fragile, and prone to early death in the wrong hands. On the other hand, I've never had any malfunctions from: Digitrax DN143 or DN163K0a, TCS M1 or FL4 (which TCS tech support tells me are nearly bullet-proof), any of Kato's (except the one that I dropped on live rails by accident!), and NCE Z14SRP (which has a reputation for being bullet-proof too).

So, is the DZ125 a fragile decoder? Or am I just unlucky?

[CaptOblivious]

Anyone else have an opinion? The poll results are thus far inconclusive…

[Bernard]

Off hand I can't remember the decoder the DZ125 replaced, I think it was the DZ123?
But as a replacement, I haven't been that impressed. I've already blown 2 decoders and have one train that I've taken apart 5 times now and it just isn't responding to that decoder. I have an older Lenz decoder that I'll probably try next.

[KenS]

I don't think it replaced the 123, Digitrax still lists both: DZ123 for $19.99, DZ125 for $24.99.  The DZ125 adds BEMF and support for 20V DCC systems (the DZ123 is limited to 18V).  However, the DZ123 supports 2.0 Amp current for a brief time, while the DZ125 only supports 1.25 Amps (both are rated for 1.0 Amp continuous and 0.5 Amp total for the function outputs).  That shouldn't matter in any modern N-scale loco, as stall current should be around 0.3 Amps, but it does suggest there's a bit less headroom in the design.

Oddly, the DZ123 is listed as FCC Part B compliant, while the DZ125 is not.

I've never installed either (yet), although I have several of each on the bench waiting to be installed when I get around to working on my "needs soldering" trains (I picked up the DZ123s cheap at a LHS clearance sale).  I've been playing with a DZ123 connected to an ESU decoder tester (which uses an HO-sized motor) for a bunch of decoder-programming testing, with no problems.