Massoth- CS2/3 issue

Hm this is all very worrying, I use all Massoth Control gear but a friend has a CS2 or 3. Does this mean if I visit with one of my LGB Marklin loco's now 'trained' on Massoth, problems will arise either at my mates or when I get home?

If so this is not very good at all, whatever happened to DCC Compatibility?
JonD
 
dunnyrail said:
Hm this is all very worrying, I use all Massoth Control gear but a friend has a CS2 or 3. Does this mean if I visit with one of my LGB Marklin loco's now 'trained' on Massoth, problems will arise either at my mates or when I get home?
JonD
Click to expand...

Personally I wouldn't worry. Only the one case has been reported here so there's no certainty as to the cause and the fix was quick and easy provided you have access to an analogue controller.
 
Ralphmp said:
I have 3 LGB locos that came with factory-fitted MFX decoders. I ran them "out of the box" on my layout (using Massoth 1200Z) to check they worked ok before I changed their addresses and adjusted the "protocol" CV that sets the decoders to use DCC rather than MFX.

To date they've all worked as expected - responded to the new addresses and all function keys did what the handbook said they should. Whether this is down to me accidentally following the advice above or maybe just being lucky I can't say, but hopefully my experience provides some reassurance.
Click to expand...

That is excellent news. Thanks.
 
dunnyrail said:
...whatever happened to DCC Compatibility?
JonD
Click to expand...

Nothing, it's alive and well. What we're talking about here is multi-protocol compatability and how the decoder sorts out the mess of signals to determine which system it's running on.

To me it makes sense for the decoder to "lock on" to one or other protocol, it saves a lot of unnecessary overhead trying to re-check all the time in real-time. It seems the mechanism to "unlock" it when you want to change to the other system has been discovered (run it on analogue DC for a moment), just a shame this doesn't seem to be documented and confirmed by Maerklin.
 
I see where your coming from Nick - but that solution is a bodge - not compatibility. I assume Marklin think we all live in attics and don't have like minded friends!
 
It also relies on having access to an Analog controller (with sufficient oomph to run the loco in question), the like of which many of us either sold as superfluous when we moved to DCC or never had in the first place if we went DCC from the outset.
 
I've taken a shine to the promised LGB 20480....

L 20480.jpg

but am quite worried by all this talk as I don't have access to an analogue supply.
Why on earth should I, having spent greatly on a DCC system (Massoth 1210 et al).
My lust for this monster will probably win out but I just hope the "run it on default 3" works for me.

Edit: Ah, Phil beat me to it while I typed!
 
Join the club Phil.
 
Neil Robinson said:
At the meeting, unsurprisingly It didn't respond to the group's elderly LGB MTS system even though the unit had been updated to parallel.
Click to expand...

Just for academic and research reasons, what MTS box was it?
 
penylanpip said:
I've taken a shine to the promised LGB 20480....

View attachment 222680

but am quite worried by all this talk as I don't have access to an analogue supply.
Why on earth should I, having spent greatly on a DCC system (Massoth 1210 et al).
My lust for this monster will probably win out but I just hope the "run it on default 3" works for me.

Edit: Ah, Phil beat me to it while I typed!
Click to expand...

From what I can gather, Philip, you should be OK...... if you never run it on an MFX central station then it will not "lock" itself into MFX protocol mode, if you run it on your Massoth system from the start it should be OK. I suppose the only potential problem with a new loco is if the shop you buy it from has already tested it on an MFX system - it might be worth specifically asking them to test-run it on DCC for you before shipping it (or if you are collecting it, request that they do so while you wait...), then it will hopefully arrive "locked on" to DCC protocol......

I'm going to be in the market for one of those too, when it eventually appears!

Jon.
 
I've just realised something that may have been obvious!

When reprogramming CVs, perhaps to change loco direction or speed steps or disable unwanted protocols, don't disable analogue operation without a compelling reason.

Provided the decoder supports DC in the first place, and I imagine most multi protocol decoders do, running on DC may help with fault analysis and resetting.
 
stockers said:
I assume Marklin think we all live in attics and don't have like minded friends!
Click to expand...
I've always had the impression Maerklin believe you should be locked in to their world. The fan-base is very strong and loyal.
 
Neil Robinson said:
...don't disable analogue operation without a compelling reason.
Click to expand...

I've always left it enabled, as I do like to take my locos around to friends with analogue-only lines.

I have one NCE decoder which used to run-away occasionally until I disabled analogue mode.

I believe you have to disable analogue mode if you use features such as brake-on-dc.
 
You have to disable analogue if there is a power-buffer fitted.. Else said loco takes off like the proverbial 'scalded rat' when the power goes off.

This is only amusing once, and if there is enough track between it, and any other obstacles, for the power-buffer to drain before it hits something. :eek::eek::banghead:
 
The first attempt to run my mfx Allegra was on an Analogue layout -- well guess what - it rooted itself solidly to the spot.

Connected it to one of my DCC systems when I returned home and off it trotted as it should. Further attempts to run on analogue after that were fine.
 
Zerogee said:
From what I can gather, Philip, you should be OK...... if you never run it on an MFX central station then it will not "lock" itself into MFX protocol mode, if you run it on your Massoth system from the start it should be OK. I suppose the only potential problem with a new loco is if the shop you buy it from has already tested it on an MFX system - it might be worth specifically asking them to test-run it on DCC for you before shipping it (or if you are collecting it, request that they do so while you wait...), then it will hopefully arrive "locked on" to DCC protocol......

I'm going to be in the market for one of those too, when it eventually appears!

Jon.
Click to expand...
My last two Marklin Beasties wre bought from Glendale. As Brian knows I have Massoth Kit when he tested them prior to purchase he used his Massoth Kit. That is why I guess that they are OK. I think for the reduction of potential problems I will not be taking them for a trip to Non Massoth and certainly not my friends CS2/3 line.
JonD
 
:fearscream::mad:Like many others I embraced DCC on my Garden Layout finally trading up to a Massoth central station and navigator of which I am very satisfied. That was until MFX although I have had little problem setting an address or altering the values in the CVs . I find there is a difference in response to the commands from the navigator some functions such as whistle and coal shovelling need to switched off or they will continue to play until the power is cut. Yes I do switch MFX off in the CVs but it makes no difference either way its the inconvenience that niggles me and as I get older I find my tolerance levels are diminishing.

My worries are will Maerklin continue to push MFX and hope that DCC will be displaced as in the VHS- Betamax saga. Will Massoth continue to support G Scale as Maerklin pulls the rug from under. I do feel that MFX has more to offer than the currently available DCC but I am not willing to spend X pounds changing my operating system especially at my age. No doubt I will continue in my current furrow but if Maerklin make it impossible to avoid a change to MFX then I for one will sell up and will divert all my energies to my indoor HO 2rail DCC layout.
 
meiningen8 said:
:fearscream::mad:Like many others I embraced DCC on my Garden Layout finally trading up to a Massoth central station and navigator of which I am very satisfied. That was until MFX although I have had little problem setting an address or altering the values in the CVs . I find there is a difference in response to the commands from the navigator some functions such as whistle and coal shovelling need to switched off or they will continue to play until the power is cut.
Click to expand...

I suspect that the functions may be varied from on/off to momentary with the relevant CVs for each loco.
I also think the future may not be as bad as you fear as I suspect that Massoth may now be more involved with Piko and their own marketing than Markin/LGB. Even in the unlikely event of Massoth abandoning DCC other European and American manufacturers have DCC modules with sufficient current capacity for large scale locos.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom