Marklin mfx and massoth dcc
- Thread starter scook
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Zerogee
Clencher's Bogleman
As it's second-hand, can you find out from the seller whether it still has the MFX protocol active, or whether that has been disabled? Is it coming from a dealer or direct from the previous owner?
MFX decoders with all options active (ie: as supplied) will always look for an MFX command set first, then if they don't find one they will then look for DCC - however if you're never going to want to run it on an MFX system then it is usually worth deactivating that protocol so that it goes straight to DCC and doesn't get confused...
There are some other things (and how to do them) that folks more expert than I will hopefully chip in with!
Jon.
PS: what's the loco?
MFX decoders with all options active (ie: as supplied) will always look for an MFX command set first, then if they don't find one they will then look for DCC - however if you're never going to want to run it on an MFX system then it is usually worth deactivating that protocol so that it goes straight to DCC and doesn't get confused...
There are some other things (and how to do them) that folks more expert than I will hopefully chip in with!
Jon.
PS: what's the loco?
OBBherr
Registered
From my experience with both systems, I have had no issues using the Massoth navigator to change CVs on my dual mfx/DCC locos. Always respecting the basic rule of reading the current CV before writing of course.
I run both systems, one indoors and one outside. I’ve never experienced the confusion that LGB warns about in the documentation but I would echo Jon’s comment; if you don’t need mfx you may as well turn it off.
I run both systems, one indoors and one outside. I’ve never experienced the confusion that LGB warns about in the documentation but I would echo Jon’s comment; if you don’t need mfx you may as well turn it off.
scook
Registered
The loco in questionAs it's second-hand, can you find out from the seller whether it still has the MFX protocol active, or whether that has been disabled? Is it coming from a dealer or direct from the previous owner?
MFX decoders with all options active (ie: as supplied) will always look for an MFX command set first, then if they don't find one they will then look for DCC - however if you're never going to want to run it on an MFX system then it is usually worth deactivating that protocol so that it goes straight to DCC and doesn't get confused...
There are some other things (and how to do them) that folks more expert than I will hopefully chip in with!
Jon.
PS: what's the loco?
Purchased from a well known online retailer, (named after the place you stand to drive a steam loco!)
I’ve asked them some questions but yet to receive a reply,
How do I go about disabling the mfx?
Thanks
Brixham
No buffers were hurt at this sign
From the instructions from a recent LGB digital loco...which has mfx
CV 50 default value 15, ie all formats on
Alternative Formats‘
Bit 0: Analog AC
Bit 1: Analog DC
Bit 2: MM
Bit 3: mfx off/on
To remove mfx, take 8 from the value 15
and to remove MM ( old Motorola format...does anyone use this? ) reduce again by 4
So suggest CV50 should be 3
I'm not sure what analogue ac is either...so perhaps a value of 2 may work
But check the instructions with your loco
I did write this up somewhere...but can I find it???
Malcolm
CV 50 default value 15, ie all formats on
Alternative Formats‘
Bit 0: Analog AC
Bit 1: Analog DC
Bit 2: MM
Bit 3: mfx off/on
To remove mfx, take 8 from the value 15
and to remove MM ( old Motorola format...does anyone use this? ) reduce again by 4
So suggest CV50 should be 3
I'm not sure what analogue ac is either...so perhaps a value of 2 may work
But check the instructions with your loco
I did write this up somewhere...but can I find it???
Malcolm
OBBherr
Registered
Looking at the manual for 25702 (lovely loco, I have one) the default is 10 rather than 15.
So deducting 8 as suggested above indicates 2 which the manual says is Analog DC and the web says is analog DC + DCC .
Websearch suggests a value of 0 may also work as DCC only.
Read CV 50 to identify how the previous owner has configured it. If they haven't changed it the manual says
"The model is programmed with locomotive address 03 for use with the LGB Multi Train System (DCC). The locomotive is automatically recognized in operation with mfx"
Let us know how you get on.
So deducting 8 as suggested above indicates 2 which the manual says is Analog DC and the web says is analog DC + DCC .
Websearch suggests a value of 0 may also work as DCC only.
Read CV 50 to identify how the previous owner has configured it. If they haven't changed it the manual says
"The model is programmed with locomotive address 03 for use with the LGB Multi Train System (DCC). The locomotive is automatically recognized in operation with mfx"
Let us know how you get on.
Last edited:
Software Tools
Registered
H0 scale traditional Marklin power for the stud-contact system.
Zerogee
Clencher's Bogleman
If it's working and you're happy with it, then yes, leave it alone!
Never "fix" something that isn't actually broken....
Jon.
CV 50 MFX
Bit 0: Analog AC 0 off 1 applies
Bit 1: Analog DC 0 off 2 applies
Bit 2: MM 0 off 4 applies (Marklin HO for Stud Contact!)
Bit 3: mfx off/on 0 off 8 applies
Bit programming does take some getting used to so that making a requirement I tend to write down what I need in a list, then put the value and total that value up. Makes a lot of sense to have a small notebook with Cv’s that you change listed, noting the original value and what you changed them to. Oh a Filofax would be better with a page for each loco, sure many of us will have an unused one lurking with some stationary for it about somewhere in a draw or cupboard.
I had many issues with CV29 in the past on LGB and Massoth Chips till I finally got to grips with what ‘bit’ programming was and how it worked. My confusion was not helped by a so called ‘expert’ who did not like to explain things in a meaningful way to others, preferring to keep his ‘expertise’ in his domain a typical way that many IT Experts (but not all) behave.
Bit 0: Analog AC 0 off 1 applies
Bit 1: Analog DC 0 off 2 applies
Bit 2: MM 0 off 4 applies (Marklin HO for Stud Contact!)
Bit 3: mfx off/on 0 off 8 applies
Bit programming does take some getting used to so that making a requirement I tend to write down what I need in a list, then put the value and total that value up. Makes a lot of sense to have a small notebook with Cv’s that you change listed, noting the original value and what you changed them to. Oh a Filofax would be better with a page for each loco, sure many of us will have an unused one lurking with some stationary for it about somewhere in a draw or cupboard.
I had many issues with CV29 in the past on LGB and Massoth Chips till I finally got to grips with what ‘bit’ programming was and how it worked. My confusion was not helped by a so called ‘expert’ who did not like to explain things in a meaningful way to others, preferring to keep his ‘expertise’ in his domain a typical way that many IT Experts (but not all) behave.
rhaetianfan
RhB (obviously) but otherwise any 'modern' locos
I too have had problems with CV29 using Massoth Navigators on recent mfx fitted locos. My particular issue was with RhB pantograph fitted locos - changing the loco address not only changed the default direction of the loco but also the automatic pans reversed so that when running it was the leading pan that raised, rather than the rear one. I had resigned myself to accepting it and manually controlling the pans but, obtaining (yet another) Ge 4/4 which did the same thing, I thought I would try altering CV29. Reducing the read value by 1 worked every time, to my delight / relief!
A dark art, DCC, which still has the power to confuse - apart from G I also have DCC setups in OO and N which have their own quirks!
M
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