LGb central station

[richarra100]

So I have never got my central station to operate point motors. I have spent at least two years on and off trying various things that people have helped suggest but to no avail. Before I set out to decide if I should just go out and buy another one I need to satisfy myself there is nothing else I can do with it or even prove that it is the central station that is not working. I have programmed it line by line to the instructions even getting the feedback from the points to confirm the setting has been stored. But when I connect it all back to the central station I cannot operate it. It is so frustrating! My question really is how can I check what conditions come out of the central station when I try to operate the points. This will confirm to me that despite me programming the points there is no signal coming from the central station to activate the motor. Hope I am making sense. Any help would save me going out and buy another one, which I am loathed to do since I only got it working for a short time some years back. Furthermore, if there is no simple way of testing it myself where can I send it to get it checked out.

 

[Gizzy]

You have a points decoder I assume?

When you program it you must attach a point motor to one output as a load....

 

[PhilP]

It would help if we had the part number of the central station..
Also, what handset are you using with it?

 

[stockers]

and why do you need to reconnect to the central station - best to have it connected all the time. or are we missing something.

 

[PhilP]

and why do you need to reconnect to the central station - best to have it connected all the time. or are we missing something.

Possibly connected to programming track, and then to main layout??

Did you connect the point motor to the decoder?
AND
Did you connect the decoder to the track, or an auxiliary feed from the CS?

 

[Deleted member 1986]

My question really is how can I check what conditions come out of the central station when I try to operate the points. This will confirm to me that despite me programming the points there is no signal coming from the central station to activate the motor. Furthermore, if there is no simple way of testing it myself where can I send it to get it checked out.

Guess this is the information you would like to be able so see.........

 

[richarra100]

I am still unable to switch any of the EPL motors for the points. I have LGB central station 55006p and LGB55015p handheld. I have a LGB55025 switch decoder and a Massoth 8156001.
I refer to page 10 of the 55025 manual and successfully complete this step for a switch on a desk. On the last bullet point I also get 'confirmation' as the motor activates. I remove all the programming leads, loop and connect MTS output to the 'IN' and I keep the test switch motor on port A. I then refer to page 17 of the 55015p manual and follow. I have set the motor on port A so I press F, then 1. Then press 1 followed by either left or right and nothing happens other than the S display on th handset flashes off/on once but nothing on the motor. I have tried this to the Massoth and get exactly the same. What am I doing wrong or is something broken?

 

[Gizzy]

Are you assigning address 1 to Port A of the 55025, i.e. CV =1 in Register 1?

If so then your other ports are 2-3-4. It should work seamlessly.

I could check out your decoder for you if you can post it to me at cost, using my LGB 55045 Programmer.

You might have 2 duff switch decoders....

 

[ntpntpntp]

Guess this is the information you would like to be able so see.........

Interesting little packet sniffer you have there - Arduino based?

I remember having something similar a few years ago that worked with a simple cable into the audio line-in of my pc and a bit of software. The cable had a resistor-divider or similar to drop the voltage as I recall. It worked quite well.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Ditto, Arthur, nice little packet analyzer, is that a product somewhere?

I have one of the original ones sold, pretty cool: (but no longer sold)

 

[Deleted member 1986]

I am still unable to switch any of the EPL motors for the points. I have LGB central station 55006p and LGB55015p handheld. I have a LGB55025 switch decoder and a Massoth 8156001.
I refer to page 10 of the 55025 manual and successfully complete this step for a switch on a desk. On the last bullet point I also get 'confirmation' as the motor activates. I remove all the programming leads, loop and connect MTS output to the 'IN' and I keep the test switch motor on port A. I then refer to page 17 of the 55015p manual and follow. I have set the motor on port A so I press F, then 1. Then press 1 followed by either left or right and nothing happens other than the S display on th handset flashes off/on once but nothing on the motor. I have tried this to the Massoth and get exactly the same. What am I doing wrong or is something broken?

I will along with a few of the boys, be at an Area Group Indoor Working Party in Newton St Cyres this Saturday 25/02/2017 from 2pm until 5pm, if you are able please drop by, if you bring all the "offending" items I'll take a look at if for you and test it out over a few days, failing that if you are in the Exeter area, drop in.

 

[Deleted member 1986]

Interesting little packet sniffer you have there - Arduino based?

I remember having something similar a few years ago that worked with a simple cable into the audio line-in of my pc and a bit of software. The cable had a resistor-divider or similar to drop the voltage as I recall. It worked quite well.

Yes indeed is Arduino based, has been a godsend and solved a number of "irritating" little issues!

 

[Deleted member 1986]

Ditto, Arthur, nice little packet analyzer, is that a product somewhere?

I have one of the original ones sold, pretty cool: (but no longer sold)

Yes bit of shame not available anymore, mine gave up the ghost some time ago. Mine is not sold as package, more of a DIY build, but given a little time may well be able to make a few more up, do have a notion of incorporating a small lcd, make it more portable.

 

[richarra100]

I will along with a few of the boys, be at an Area Group Indoor Working Party in Newton St Cyres this Saturday 25/02/2017 from 2pm until 5pm, if you are able please drop by, if you bring all the "offending" items I'll take a look at if for you and test it out over a few days, failing that if you are in the Exeter area, drop in.

Arthur, thank you so much. But it seems we are just never going to meet up. Let me know next time and will come along. I am in Okehampton so only 20mins away.
I know we tried to meet up a year or so but to no avail. Still having same problem.

 

[richarra100]

Are you assigning address 1 to Port A of the 55025, i.e. CV =1 in Register 1?

If so then your other ports are 2-3-4. It should work seamlessly.

I could check out your decoder for you if you can post it to me at cost, using my LGB 55045 Programmer.

You might have 2 duff switch decoders....

Thanks. I have an offe close to home. Will see how that goes but might take you up on the offer. Will let you know.

 

[ntpntpntp]

I have one of the original ones sold, pretty cool: (but no longer sold)

You've just reminded me I've got one of those! Bought it cheap at the last Narrow Gauge EXPO show from the 009 Society 2nd hand stand. Not actually found time to play with it yet!

 

[Greg Elmassian]

They are really nice, and also they have an RS-232 port if you want to read and store data when monitoring for extended time.

Mine is really helpful when people are convinced it's the decoder, when often they have a really crappy DCC signal. I had an autoreverser fail once, and it was putting garbage DCC commands on the track (most likely it was corrupting the existing signals).

Arthur, I'd be interested in a nice kit or whatever, I have a lot of DCC friends that need a tool to monitor things, not to mention people in very similar situations to what started this topic.

Greg

 

[jakescase]

Greg,
I'm relatively handy with Arduino projects and would like to build your unit to "sniff out" my Massoth Central. Could you provide the link to building the project? Thanks

 

[jakescase]

Arthur,
Sorry. The request for the Arduino project information should have been directed to you. how might I be able to build yours?