LGB 55025 Multidecoders and CS3
It took some experimentation but I got LGB 55025 multidecoders to operate EPL switch motors with the CS3. One needs to create a TrackBoard then populate it with at least one turnout. This lets you set the decoder parameters. The first multidecoder defaults to "A" with addresses A.1 through A.4 Adding an additional turnout to the TrackBoard allows a second multidecoder "B" to be added with addresses B.5 through B.8. The "B" decoder can then be edited using the programing track to change its starting address to "5" as described by Muns elsewhere in this forum. The "Stop" button may have to be cycled to get the CS3 to read the 55025 CVs and change the start address. Once the decoders are in the system turnouts or other devices can be added or deleted from the decoder's range of addresses. I did not try changing any of the 55025 default settings except the starting address.
The EPL turnout motors are operated by touching the graphic depiction on the TrackBoard. The straight route is shown in green when selected and the diverging track is depicted in red if it is selected. The non-selected route is shown in gray. The turnout setting toggles back and forth with each touch of the graphic depiction. One note: I did have to swap the orange and white leads on the two EPL turnouts I used for testing to get the graphic depiction to coincide with reality. Overall, it seems like a good system. You can depict your layout on the TrackBoard including any typical solenoid operated devices such as signals and fixed uncouplers. The devices are operated by touching them on the display. The 55025's use track power to operate. This should not be a problem for intermittent power drains like solenoid devices provided the maximum 5 amps of current is available. Continuous power drains like lights, etc. are probably best put on a separate booster if they're to be operated by decoders.
A couple of notes on the iPhone mobile app. I could not display the CS3's graphic layout depiction on the Mobile App. Decoder connected devices can be operated by the App, but they appear as keyboard switches. Also, the iPhone Mobile App appears to be limited to 48 devices/addresses, not the 128 devices that the CS3 allows. Also, there is a bug that causes iPhone Mobile App to default showing the diverging route as being selected whether true or not if for some reason the wireless connection to the CS3 is lost and remade. This does not affect the CS3's TrackBoard display which shows the actual state of the devices. I don't know if this is also true for the Marklin Mobile Tablet App or the Android App.
Hopefully, They'll get around to updating the Mobile Apps in the not too distant future. The iPhone version was last updated in July of 2013.
Phil S.
It took some experimentation but I got LGB 55025 multidecoders to operate EPL switch motors with the CS3. One needs to create a TrackBoard then populate it with at least one turnout. This lets you set the decoder parameters. The first multidecoder defaults to "A" with addresses A.1 through A.4 Adding an additional turnout to the TrackBoard allows a second multidecoder "B" to be added with addresses B.5 through B.8. The "B" decoder can then be edited using the programing track to change its starting address to "5" as described by Muns elsewhere in this forum. The "Stop" button may have to be cycled to get the CS3 to read the 55025 CVs and change the start address. Once the decoders are in the system turnouts or other devices can be added or deleted from the decoder's range of addresses. I did not try changing any of the 55025 default settings except the starting address.
The EPL turnout motors are operated by touching the graphic depiction on the TrackBoard. The straight route is shown in green when selected and the diverging track is depicted in red if it is selected. The non-selected route is shown in gray. The turnout setting toggles back and forth with each touch of the graphic depiction. One note: I did have to swap the orange and white leads on the two EPL turnouts I used for testing to get the graphic depiction to coincide with reality. Overall, it seems like a good system. You can depict your layout on the TrackBoard including any typical solenoid operated devices such as signals and fixed uncouplers. The devices are operated by touching them on the display. The 55025's use track power to operate. This should not be a problem for intermittent power drains like solenoid devices provided the maximum 5 amps of current is available. Continuous power drains like lights, etc. are probably best put on a separate booster if they're to be operated by decoders.
A couple of notes on the iPhone mobile app. I could not display the CS3's graphic layout depiction on the Mobile App. Decoder connected devices can be operated by the App, but they appear as keyboard switches. Also, the iPhone Mobile App appears to be limited to 48 devices/addresses, not the 128 devices that the CS3 allows. Also, there is a bug that causes iPhone Mobile App to default showing the diverging route as being selected whether true or not if for some reason the wireless connection to the CS3 is lost and remade. This does not affect the CS3's TrackBoard display which shows the actual state of the devices. I don't know if this is also true for the Marklin Mobile Tablet App or the Android App.
Hopefully, They'll get around to updating the Mobile Apps in the not too distant future. The iPhone version was last updated in July of 2013.
Phil S.
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