Les (Tommy Trouble) asked the question in the Coffee Lounge, rather than attempt to answer it there, I thought the DCC section would be more appropriate.
Early versions of the LGB MTS 2 components could only send "function commands" in a serial form, that is if you wanted to send F3, when you pressed the 3 key, the handset would send the 1 command 3 times i.e. 1+1+1.
At a point in time, Massoth introduced the ability to send "parallel" functions and it was the norm to add a "p" extension to the part number (i.e. the 55005 Central unit became 55005p and the 55015 universal remote became 55015p).
I believe that the earliest of these had "p" stickers stuck to the cases to denote that they had this functionality (probably so that they could use existing mouldings). When new case moldings were produces, the "p" suffix was included on the printed ledgends.
At some stage, I believe that they dropped the "p" suffix on the part numbers (and possibly the cace ledgends too) - this may have coincided with the introduction of MTS3 (2008?).
So, if your unit has a "p" sticker or the printed part number has a "p" suffix, it is very likely that you have a parallel enabled device. If you do not then it is likely that you have a "serial" only unit unless it is very recent item.
In any case you should be able to determine if your unit is parallel by doing the following:
Select a loco
Issue the function 3 command (Press 3) and count the number of times the display flashes.
If the display flashes only once, then that is an indication that a single command was sent and your unit is parallel (good times).
if it flashes 3 times then that indicates that it has sent 3 commands - i.e. sent the F1 command 3 times (serially) - this could indicate that you have a serial only unit, however you still may have a parallel unit set to send seriall commands.
Next press "F" then "9" to switch mode.
Issue the function 3 command again (Press 3) and agai count the number of times the display flashes.
If the display flashes only once then you have managed to set the mode for the loco to paralell and your unit is parallel (good times).
If the display flashed 3 times then you have a serial only unit (bad times).
So, for parallel operation, your central station (55005) must be "parallel".
Any wired handsets that you want to issue parallel commands from must be "parallel".
Any wireless handsets that you wish to issue parallel commands from must be "parallel", the 55050(55051 USA) transmitter and the 55055(55056 USA) receiver MUST also be "parallel".
If you use the MTS-PC/Stellwerk computer program and the 55060 computer interface to controll your trains, this must also be "parallel".
"p" upgrades are only available from Massoth Electronics in Germany, equipment to be upgraded will need to be sent to them (Massoth USA are unable to do MTS upgrades). The current "p" upgrade prices are:
- 55005 : 40,-- Euro
- 55015 or 55016 : 30,-- Euro
- 55050 or 55055 : 25,-- Euro
- 55060 : 25,-- Euro
Early versions of the LGB MTS 2 components could only send "function commands" in a serial form, that is if you wanted to send F3, when you pressed the 3 key, the handset would send the 1 command 3 times i.e. 1+1+1.
At a point in time, Massoth introduced the ability to send "parallel" functions and it was the norm to add a "p" extension to the part number (i.e. the 55005 Central unit became 55005p and the 55015 universal remote became 55015p).
I believe that the earliest of these had "p" stickers stuck to the cases to denote that they had this functionality (probably so that they could use existing mouldings). When new case moldings were produces, the "p" suffix was included on the printed ledgends.
At some stage, I believe that they dropped the "p" suffix on the part numbers (and possibly the cace ledgends too) - this may have coincided with the introduction of MTS3 (2008?).
So, if your unit has a "p" sticker or the printed part number has a "p" suffix, it is very likely that you have a parallel enabled device. If you do not then it is likely that you have a "serial" only unit unless it is very recent item.
In any case you should be able to determine if your unit is parallel by doing the following:
Select a loco
Issue the function 3 command (Press 3) and count the number of times the display flashes.
If the display flashes only once, then that is an indication that a single command was sent and your unit is parallel (good times).
if it flashes 3 times then that indicates that it has sent 3 commands - i.e. sent the F1 command 3 times (serially) - this could indicate that you have a serial only unit, however you still may have a parallel unit set to send seriall commands.
Next press "F" then "9" to switch mode.
Issue the function 3 command again (Press 3) and agai count the number of times the display flashes.
If the display flashes only once then you have managed to set the mode for the loco to paralell and your unit is parallel (good times).
If the display flashed 3 times then you have a serial only unit (bad times).
So, for parallel operation, your central station (55005) must be "parallel".
Any wired handsets that you want to issue parallel commands from must be "parallel".
Any wireless handsets that you wish to issue parallel commands from must be "parallel", the 55050(55051 USA) transmitter and the 55055(55056 USA) receiver MUST also be "parallel".
If you use the MTS-PC/Stellwerk computer program and the 55060 computer interface to controll your trains, this must also be "parallel".
"p" upgrades are only available from Massoth Electronics in Germany, equipment to be upgraded will need to be sent to them (Massoth USA are unable to do MTS upgrades). The current "p" upgrade prices are:
- 55005 : 40,-- Euro
- 55015 or 55016 : 30,-- Euro
- 55050 or 55055 : 25,-- Euro
- 55060 : 25,-- Euro
lol oh well you live and learn.