Help Needed - Decoder Wiring

Greg Elmassian said:
Thanks Phil, perhaps I can hold off the brain transplant for a year or so.
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Mine may be available - not sure you want it though! ;) One other LGB/Märklin search tip. Check on the German language sites. Very often there is information, manuals, parts diagrams, etc. that are not linked to the English language sites for whatever reason.
 
Greg Elmassian said:
yes your manual is newer
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Not wanting to muddy the waters (just as they seem to be getting clearer), but . . .

If the figures quoted in the earlier and later manuals are different, does that simply reflect a correction to the manual . . . or might it be the result of a change to the spec of the product, confusingly without a change in the product number? If it's the latter, how do you know which version you've got?

Cheers

David
 
I believe the earlier manual is pre-marklin, and the later in the marklin era.

Now, did the decoder change? Visually it does not look different, I compared the picture on this thread to the "older" manual from 2006.

Be nice to know which to follow. I suppose buying a new one from a dealer would guarantee it matches the newer manual?
 
I'm going to guess it was a very early change to the decoder, if indeed it was a mod without a change of part no. I say this only because they would want the smoke from steam locos to come out of smoke units and not the decoder!o_O This still does not answer how to distinguish between new and old if there was a mod.
 
phils2um said:
I'm going to guess it was a very early change to the decoder, if indeed it was a mod without a change of part no. I say this only because they would want the smoke from steam locos to come out of smoke units and not the decoder!o_O This still does not answer how to distinguish between new and old if there was a mod.
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Hm now we are getting into version control, a subject often not understood by software coders, I speak from bitter experience working at an IT company in days gone by. Chancer programmers have fefined ways of doing things and completely ignoring the rules even when they have been warned about it umpteen times, appreciate not all companies would be the same but could we be certain that the software in say n LGB 55021 decoder that was a round for a long time never got revised?.
 
dunnyrail said:
Hm now we are getting into version control, a subject often not understood by software coders, I speak from bitter experience working at an IT company in days gone by. Chancer programmers have fefined ways of doing things and completely ignoring the rules even when they have been warned about it umpteen times, appreciate not all companies would be the same but could we be certain that the software in say n LGB 55021 decoder that was a round for a long time never got revised?.
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Sadly a number of people both programmers and installers don't understand version control, and the difference between the programme and the data that is produced.
 
dunnyrail said:
could we be certain that the software in say n LGB 55021 decoder that was a round for a long time never got revised?.
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It most likely was. I could be wrong but would think boosting the current handling capability of the 55027 function outputs from 300mA to 800mA required a component change not just a firmware update. Then again, maybe it was VERY conservatively rated when first released. Perhaps Greg can tell us what the total specified function and lighting current limit was in his earlier copy of the manual. That may give some insight if it is the same as (or different from) the 1.3A total specified in the latest manual.
 
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Morning All

My original question concerned the colour coding on my decoder. That was more than answered by post #13. We are now on post #33 of what has degenerated into a pissing contest on who knows the most about the intricacies of decoder construction and programming. It is certainly of no interest to me and has no relevance to the question asked. My main concern is that a newcomer to the hobby would read this and be so overwhelmed with the complexity of the topic as to be totally disillusioned and disheartened and abandon the hobby of model railways and take up basket weaving instead. I think some of you guys need to tone it down a bit.

David
 
I sheepishly admit contributing mightily to the thread drift:devil:. But it is an interesting question (What are the function output current limits of the 55027?), at least to me.
 
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I don't see a pissing contest at all. And if there are indeed 2 versions, and the current carrying capabilities are different I SURELY would like to know, since no one wants to damage a decoder.

Your attitude surprises me, I guess you should have stopped reading at post #13.

Actually, most newcomers are very careful to ensure what they are doing is right. If there is any danger to them damaging their stuff, they want to know.

Good luck to you, and if you have the early version and hook up your smoke and kill the decoder output because it is over 300 ma, well, please re-read your response, taking us to task.

By the way, your original question is NOT just the color coding, to wit:

I have wired the track pickup and motor wires and the loco runs nicely back and forth along a length of track. I am at a loss to know which coloured wires need to be connected to power the front and rear lights and the smoke unit.

Since you said you know nothing, here is a group of people trying to give you the best answer, and you berate them.

Great.
 
Greg Elmassian said:
I don't see a pissing contest at all. And if there are indeed 2 versions, and the current carrying capabilities are different I SURELY would like to know, since no one wants to damage a decoder.

Your attitude surprises me, I guess you should have stopped reading at post #13.

Actually, most newcomers are very careful to ensure what they are doing is right. If there is any danger to them damaging their stuff, they want to know.

Good luck to you, and if you have the early version and hook up your smoke and kill the decoder output because it is over 300 ma, well, please re-read your response, taking us to task.

By the way, your original question is NOT just the color coding, to wit:

I have wired the track pickup and motor wires and the loco runs nicely back and forth along a length of track. I am at a loss to know which coloured wires need to be connected to power the front and rear lights and the smoke unit.

Since you said you know nothing, here is a group of people trying to give you the best answer, and you berate them.

Great.
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Greg

You have proceeded to answer questions that I never asked, don't need to know and don't want to know the answers to. If you want to know the answers to the questions you have yourself posed may I suggest you open a new thread and ask them for yourself. The most useful answer to the question I originally asked was not given in this thread, but actually sent to me privately in a PM, without any fuss or fanfare.

David
 
phils2um said:
Hi David,
Might I trouble you to tell us what your manual says about the function output current limits for your 55027s? And, are all 3 the same?
Thanks
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Phil

The manual that came with the decoder states , motor terminal: max 3 amp, lighting terminals: max 0.3 amp each, function terminals: max 0.3 amp each. (Max 1.0 amp for the sum of all lighting and function terminals). I hope that helps you.

David
 
David1226 said:
The manual that came with the decoder states , motor terminal: max 3 amp, lighting terminals: max 0.3 amp each, function terminals: max 0.3 amp each. (Max 1.0 amp for the sum of all lighting and function terminals). I hope that helps you.
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It does indeed. Seems to indicate there were two different versions of this of this decoder (not just a firmware update!). Anyone thinking of obtaining a 55027 should bare this in mind.

Thanks David
 
David1226 said:
Greg

You have proceeded to answer questions that I never asked, don't need to know and don't want to know the answers to. If you want to know the answers to the questions you have yourself posed may I suggest you open a new thread and ask them for yourself. The most useful answer to the question I originally asked was not given in this thread, but actually sent to me privately in a PM, without any fuss or fanfare.

David
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You really don't get it. Please at least read the entire post.

1. you want control of the smoke unit, stated by you
2. the original smoke unit was NOT connected to the decoder, but you requested how to wire it to the new decoder
3. connecting the smoke unit to the decoder involves making SURE that the smoke unit does not draw too much current.
4. we are researching what the capability of the decoder is, and my research came up with 300 milliamperes capability on function outputs.

So, I was working hard to make sure you did not blow up your decoder, and also others are trying to get to the bottom of why there are 2 different specifications. I spent a lot of time to try to find any clues or proof of versions, changes, etc.

(by the way, I have pictures of the old and the new decoder and the driving transistors for the function outputs look identical)

So you have a whole group of people trying to help you, and you admitted you don't know anything about it,

BUT

instead of being appreciative, you apparently believe you know enough to tell people that we are asking useless questions.

You admit you don't know anything at all, but you now know enough to tell us we are asking useless questions. (repeated in hopes of getting through)

Personally, whan I ask for help, the last thing I would do is tell my helper he does not know what he is talking about.

If I did, you can be sure he won't help me again!

Greg
 
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