LGB 55105 MTS Starter Pack, Type 2

Graham

Graham

In Smoggy Land
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I am thinking of setting up a small railway in GK's garden so they can use the TT loco's at home. The TT loco's will be converted to DCC by Paul of P&S :cool:. My question is there are several relatively cheap LGB 55105 MTS Starter Pack, Type 2 on fleabay. Will these older systems work with the current generation of Masoth/LGB decoders?
 
I've been using MTS 2 for a couple of years now and installed Massoth-sound decoders and Zimo - LGB sound with really good sounds and complete functions.
My recommendation - Get Paul to install Massoth they are pricey but the BEST.

David
 
Hi David the reason I asked is I understand that these older systems may be serial operation rather than the more "modern" parallel system of operation. I also read that some of the 55016's were updated to parallel operation.
 
It may cost a little more but I would definitely look at the parallel options - MTS3.
The 2 should work for motor control but for sound it is now out of date.Check with Paul
 
Graham said:
Hi David the reason I asked is I understand that these older systems may be serial operation rather than the more "modern" parallel system of operation. I also read that some of the 55016's were updated to parallel operation.
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Yes, some later MTS2 units are Parallel rather than serial - the units produced shortly before the change to MTS3. What you MUST ensure is that ALL of the components (central station, handset controller(s), R/C modules if you are using them) of the system you buy are Parallel versions - this is indicated either by a "p" suffix on the part number (eg: 55016p) and/or by a small round black sticker on the unit with a white "P".

An MTS2 system with all "P" components will be a good and relatively cheap control system - obsolescent, yes, but you obviously know that and are talking it into consideration; the only significant advantage that an MTS3 set has over an MTS2"P" is the ability to connect a Massoth Navigator as the handest, should you want/need to.

My first DCC system was an MTS2"P", supplied (around 2003) in one of LGB's Digital Starter Sets which came with two chipped locos, the yellow KoF and the black Borsig 0-4-0. It served well until I upgraded to Massoth, at which point the MTS setup was sold on to another member of this forum for whom it is still providing excellent service.

Alan is quite right about avoiding the older Serial-only version of MTS2, especially if you intend to use sound decoders.

Jon.
 
Thank you one and all for the wise words much appreciated :) I shall definably go for a P o_O (version that is:rofl::rofl::rofl: ) if I can find one.
 
A similar question, I have just bought I have just bought two LGB 55021 decoders (at least one has V 2.0 marked on the PC board). Are they compatible with the latest Masoth rigs or did I just waste my money o_O

 
Graham said:
A similar question, I have just bought I have just bought two LGB 55021 decoders (at least one has V 2.0 marked on the PC board). Are they compatible with the latest Masoth rigs or did I just waste my money o_O
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Yes, the 55021 is still a perfectly acceptable decoder for a single-motor loco (basically the same as a Massoth L, though the LGB ones were more expensive than the Massoth equivalents!), and should still be compatible with pretty much anything running normal DCC standards. The ones to avoid (unless you particularly want a very cheap decoder for a specific purpose) are the even older 55020 chips, which lacked any Back-EMF function.

As to whether they were good value, it depends what you paid for them... personally I'd say never pay more than about thirty quid for a used 55021, as for around forty quid you could have a brand new Massoth L instead....

Jon.
 
Graham said:
Thank you one and all for the wise words much appreciated :) I shall definably go for a P o_O (version that is:rofl::rofl::rofl: ) if I can find one.
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P secured on fleabay :clap: so another job for the tuit list during the course of the summer. Must just secure a second P controller thingy and it that should be two little boys quite happy ;)
 
Graham said:
P secured on fleabay :clap: so another job for the tuit list during the course of the summer. Must just secure a second P controller thingy and it that should be two little boys quite happy ;)
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It's on its way to you via Hermes to be signed for, have fun!!
 
DGR said:
It's on its way to you via Hermes to be signed for, have fun!!
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Much appreciated :) and I managed to find a second 55016P which is coming from Italy that even with postage was a good price considering it is new :cool:
 
Zerogee said:
Yes, some later MTS2 units are Parallel rather than serial - the units produced shortly before the change to MTS3. What you MUST ensure is that ALL of the components (central station, handset controller(s), R/C modules if you are using them) of the system you buy are Parallel versions - this is indicated either by a "p" suffix on the part number (eg: 55016p) and/or by a small round black sticker on the unit with a white "P".

An MTS2 system with all "P" components will be a good and relatively cheap control system - obsolescent, yes, but you obviously know that and are talking it into consideration; the only significant advantage that an MTS3 set has over an MTS2"P" is the ability to connect a Massoth Navigator as the handest, should you want/need to.

My first DCC system was an MTS2"P", supplied (around 2003) in one of LGB's Digital Starter Sets which came with two chipped locos, the yellow KoF and the black Borsig 0-4-0. It served well until I upgraded to Massoth, at which point the MTS setup was sold on to another member of this forum for whom it is still providing excellent service.

Alan is quite right about avoiding the older Serial-only version of MTS2, especially if you intend to use sound decoders.

Jon.
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Hi Jon,

I have been operating my 200 foot garden layout for 12 years with the MTS II system. I am considering migrating to the Massoth 1210Z (using the 1210Z, 1200T, Navigator & wireless receiver bundle). However having scoured the DCC threads I am a little overwhelmed. As you know the MTS II is simple out of the box train control. I would have a steep learning curve in terms of programming CVs. Also I don't know how the new system would integrate with the existing LGB switch decoders, reversing loop modules, and loco decoders. I would appreciate any advice.

David
 
Hi David, I think you will find the Massoth system pretty easy to use, at least for the basics - you really don't need to get into the complexities of CV programming unless or until you really want to. If your present locos are all set up and running happily on your MTS2, then you will pretty much be able to just plug all the Massoth kit together, select a loco number and it should all work just the same as you are used to with your MTS controller. The whole CV business only starts to be necessary when you want to start fiddling with things and changing factory settings, if you're happy to run your locos with their factory programming then you really don't have to worry about them.

All your exisiting LGB modules, switch decoders, reverse loops etc should also work just fine, once you read through the Massoth manuals a couple of times. The instruction manuals can seem a little daunting at first glance, but if you managed to set up all the modules for your MTS then you really shouldn't have much trouble doing the same with your new Dimax.

When I moved from MTS2 to Massoth, I found the transition very straightforward - I really don't think you'd have many problems, and there are plenty of folks on here to help with any that do crop up!

Jon.
 
Hi Jon, thanks very much for your detailed response. This is very reassuring, especially as you travelled this road before me! By the way I found the Massoth Hotline to very helpful but you can't beat getting the opinion of a fellow enthusiast.
Kind regards,
David
 
No problem, David - there is one thing I should have added, which is that the Massoth system (unlike MTS2) has the ability to select different settings for each loco, the most important one being the speed steps, but you can also set whether it is a Parallel or Serial decoder if you are running some older locos. MTS2 was only capable of running with 14 speed steps, but the Massoth kit can handle 14 or 28 (or 128, but you don't need to worry about that...). For LGB factory-chipped locos you will need to select 14 speed steps, otherwise you have strange effects like the lights flashing on and off. Now, once you have your Massoth kit (if you choose to go for it) you will find that you can pre-enter the settings of each loco you have into the Navigator handset, and then store that data - so every time you call up a particular one of your locos all the config will be stored ready for you; alternatively, selecting the right settings on the fly for each loco when you start a running session is very quick and simple, just a couple of button-presses, and that will store a "temporary" file that will stay active until you switch the system off at the end of that running session. Don't let any of that put you off, it's very easy to do - you just key in the loco number, choose 14 or 28 speed steps, choose P or S mode, and off you go!

Jon.
 
Zerogee said:
Hi David, I think you will find the Massoth system pretty easy to use, at least for the basics - you really don't need to get into the complexities of CV programming unless or until you really want to. If your present locos are all set up and running happily on your MTS2, then you will pretty much be able to just plug all the Massoth kit together, select a loco number and it should all work just the same as you are used to with your MTS controller. The whole CV business only starts to be necessary when you want to start fiddling with things and changing factory settings, if you're happy to run your locos with their factory programming then you really don't have to worry about them.

All your exisiting LGB modules, switch decoders, reverse loops etc should also work just fine, once you read through the Massoth manuals a couple of times. The instruction manuals can seem a little daunting at first glance, but if you managed to set up all the modules for your MTS then you really shouldn't have much trouble doing the same with your new Dimax.

When I moved from MTS2 to Massoth, I found the transition very straightforward - I really don't think you'd have many problems, and there are plenty of folks on here to help with any that do crop up!

Jon.
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I agree - I have done similar to Jon - you should have minimal problems.
 
Hi Jon, thanks for the additional info. I read the manuals for the Massoth system but to be honest when you do not have sight of the equipment it is hard to make sense of it. Your guidance above is great and appreciated. Thanks also to Alan.

David
 
The manuals are, at best, a bit brief. They tend to assume you know what they are talking about! But it's no problem, it all falls together gradually. All part of the fun. Ask here if anything gets you stuck - we probably don't know the answer!
 
Thanks Alan - I've submitted my application to the boss for funding! If I get past that, wrestling with enhanced dcc will be a doddle!
 
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