Marklin chips - again!

kim

kim

retired at last
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I'm hoping that one of our electronic wizards can do an idiots guide regarding the initial use of a Marklin chipped lgb loco controlled by a Massoth 1200z and Navigator. I have read as much as I can find on here but the majority goes straight over me head, one bit I did get was to run the loco on address 3 to start with - I think. I really am thick on these things and would really appreciate something like.......
1) place loco on programming track
2) switch on 1200z
etc etc
I will be buying the new F7, one A and B unit first, and will be looking to address these by the A unit running number, similarily the same for the second A unit when purchased. I will then have two different running numbers so will I be able to run them as a consist when they run as ABA or.....
Thanks for looking and if it doesn't happen I can well understand the reasons why!!
 
Kim
Before you do anything else... Plonk it on your line, select address '3', and run it up and down..
This lets the 'elektrickery' inside know you want to use DCC. From then on it is 'standard' procedure.

Just remember, you are NOT able to use the 'change address' option on your Navigator.. - This works for Massoth decoders because the Massoth system knows 'what CV's do what' and changes a number of them in sequence when you change the address this way.

The Marklin MFX decoder does things slightly differently, so the Navigator procedure will fail.

To use a long address, you will need to visit the LGB/Marklin site, and use the long address calculator (or do it long-hand) to find the values you need to use for CV's 17 and 18. You will then also need to tell the decoder you want to use the long address, by changing the value of CV 29.

HTH?
PhilP.
 
Phil - while the "run it on address 3 first" tip certainly seems to work from anecdotal evidence, and indeed I've recommended it here to other people (on the understanding that it is second-hand advice.... I have yet to acquire an MFX chipped loco to try it on), do you know if it's ever been acknowledged as an "official" instruction by either Marklin or Massoth?

If you're happy with a short address (2 digits), I assume you simply have to write that number into CV1 and Robert is your Dad's Brother?

Jon.
 
Cheers Phil and Jon. Address 3 is only used for the track cleaner on my set up and that is only used on its own, so if I don't change any cv's I take it that the loco's will respond to that address and give full functionality. Taking on board Jons comment on anecdotal evidence!
 
I would consider buying your first MfX from a local dealer - any issues they can sort out. I expect they would set the address for you too.
 
Zerogee said:
Phil - while the "run it on address 3 first" tip certainly seems to work from anecdotal evidence, and indeed I've recommended it here to other people (on the understanding that it is second-hand advice.... I have yet to acquire an MFX chipped loco to try it on), do you know if it's ever been acknowledged as an "official" instruction by either Marklin or Massoth?

If you're happy with a short address (2 digits), I assume you simply have to write that number into CV1 and Robert is your Dad's Brother?

Jon.
Click to expand...

I am not able to offer anything you can 'scratch glass' with as proof, but 'we' (the trade, in general) had so much trouble with the first loco's that I am pretty certain it came from Marklin.

Peter (at Massoth) did acknowledge that the way the Navigator 'change address' function, er functioned, did not work.*

*NOTE:
I am not sure if the latest firmware updates (for the Navigator) have addressed this, but would think not.
 
Just had a look at the cv calculator, all automatic thank goodness. Noticed that the F7 A units shown in the new products catalogue share the same running number, 5571 - is this just a promo pic or........Anyway, for running number 5571:
cv17 - 213
cv18 - 195
cv29 bit 5 - 32
It then says the address is 128, I guess the chip will not accept an address 5571?
I also noticed that it can be programmed from an mts 55015 hand set, thought I had read that the old lgb mts wasn't supported.
 
Personally, I would have chosen '571' as the address..

Supposing the decoder, and CS being used can cope with an address of '5571'..

Long Address, worked example;
To set a long address to 5571, bit 5 of CV 29 must be ‘set’. – bit 5 equals 32 (decimal).
We want a long address, 28/128 speed steps, analogue operation permitted: 32+2+4=38.
So set CV29=38

CV17 value. The base address for this CV is 192.
Divide the long address by 256; 5571/256=21.76 take the integer of this (21), and add it to 192 to get the value for CV17: 192+21=213.
So set CV17=194
CV18 value. The answer to the following sum; address – integer used in CV17 multiplied by 256.
5571-(256x21) = 5571-5376 = 195.
So set CV18=195

So I agree with the figures the calculator..
This is for a large-scale MFX decoder.

Regarding the older MTS equipment.. There are limits to the address range that equipment can cope with, and the number of functions available.
 
LGB/Marklin are beginning to realise at last that there is a world outside of LGB/Marklin where people use different control equipment to Marklin mfx.

Recently I got hold of the new RhB Ge 2/4 electric locomotive which comes fitted with a mfx decoder. Reading the instructions Marklin have recognised that digital protocols (mfx, DCC, DC) can influence each other. For trouble free operation they recommend deactivating those digitals protocols not needed by using CV50 (but don't tell you exactly what to put in CV 50) and suggest deactivating unneeded digital protocols at the CV if your controller supports this function.

That they recognise that there is a problem is progress so maybe, as time goes on, they will become a little more explicit and tell people, in simple understandable language in the instruction manual, exactly what to do to get mfx fitted locos working on other control systems such as Massoth.

On the other hand maybe Massoth can produce this information. Maybe I'm living in cloud cuckoo land but, who knows, pigs may fly one day.
 
Maybe the English translations will get better!

Maybe, just maybe, (PLEASE! Massoth) can you translate all the other articles in the Wiki????????????????????????????????????
:banghead::banghead::banghead:
 
Been a while, working on an enhanced version of a decoder template for the "infamous" LGB 55028 mixed protocol decoder,.

Other than a few "cosmetic features regarding the Function Mapping to make it more User Friendly" fully functional and operational.

Most off the CV's will not be encountered, or even be relevant to most owners who have purchased models fitted with the LGB 55028 multi protocol decoder.

Screen shot provided for informational purposes, interrogation of the decoder has provided an insight on the inner workings of the LGB 55028 decoder

All information obtained from the various Test Decoder Templates will be passed onto Massoth and LGB for comment.


Test Decoder Template to assist identifying where the errors occurred and to provide a reliable working solution.
MFX Test Two.PNG
Bench Setup.jpg
 
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