Steam and Un-couplers

A

aovenden

Registered
Hi guys, I'm in the process of fitting a massoth LS into my stainz and have some questions which I hope you can help with. Currently I have managed to solder all the lights and the speaker so I have sound and lights working. Next I hope to fit a massoth un-coupler (only to rear at this point ) to it. I can see that there is a connector on the board for it, but do I need to change any of the CV's to make it work. Plus a similar question about wiring up the steam generator and where I can plug that into and settings the CV's for that.

If it helps I have been working through the decoder fitting guide from here

http://forum.massoth.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=456

which has been very helpful so far.

Hopefully you great guys will be able to provide some insight into this for me.

Cheers,
Alan.
 
Ok, managed get the Stainz back together as you can see below and have the lights and the sounds working which was more than it had before which is good, but I still haven't managed to get the steam or the massoth un-coupler working. I keep thinking this DCC would be easy but very hard to get my head round it. Does anyone have a guide or how to for doing this. I have used the A1/A2 connector on the LS board for the steam and the A3/A4 connector for the rear un-coupler ( I was only going to do the rear ). Just can't figure out how you can assign a button to activate them from my sprog. Any help would be appreciated.

https://youtu.be/xIUK1CbkOOk

Cheers,
Alan.
 
NO!!!!!!!!!!

The 'steam' (smoke-generator) should hopefully have two wires, white and black?? - Unless it is the older Stainz with the twisty metal bit underneath to turn smoke on/off??

Whatever..
You use the +22V connection, and the A1 output ONLY for the smoke. - The DCC system uses the +22V as a common for all lights and function outputs. Except the un-coupler of course!
By default, F7 will then control the smoke unit. BUT you need to set CV 53 to '5' so as not to blow the smoke unit with a full 22Volts.
 
PhilP said:
NO!!!!!!!!!!

The 'steam' (smoke-generator) should hopefully have two wires, white and black?? - Unless it is the older Stainz with the twisty metal bit underneath to turn smoke on/off??

Whatever..
You use the +22V connection, and the A1 output ONLY for the smoke. - The DCC system uses the +22V as a common for all lights and function outputs. Except the un-coupler of course!
By default, F7 will then control the smoke unit. BUT you need to set CV 53 to '5' so as not to blow the smoke unit with a full 22Volts.
Click to expand...

OK, should have followed the link first.. Adjust CV 53 if your smoke unit is a 19V item.
Did you mean the connector has +22v. A1 and A2 ?? If so, apologies! ::)
 
Cheers PhilP, that seems to have sorted the smoke. Finally had a chance to test it last night, so set the CV and then went to find the smoke oil. The typical it has leaked in my drawer. Think in the bottle there was just enough to get a couple of puffs before it ran out. Just ordered some more, but it looked good. Just going to spend some time tonight reading the manuals to try and sort the un-coupler out now.

Cheers,
Alan.
 
aovenden said:
Cheers PhilP, that seems to have sorted the smoke. Finally had a chance to test it last night, so set the CV and then went to find the smoke oil. The typical it has leaked in my drawer. Think in the bottle there was just enough to get a couple of puffs before it ran out. Just ordered some more, but it looked good. Just going to spend some time tonight reading the manuals to try and sort the un-coupler out now.

Cheers,
Alan.
Click to expand...
You're welcome Alan..
Come back with any queries on the uncoupler.. Just DON'T take the rubber band off until the last minute. - Don't ask how I know!! ::)
 
I did see that in red in the manual about the band. I have managed to fit it ok. just a little work with the dremel to cut a bit away from the bottom and feed the wire up. The problem I have is trying to get my head around all this DCC stuff. Seems strange that I spend all day sat working on servers and PC's yet this is just getting the better of me. Still I will give it another crack later and see how it goes.

Cheers,
Alan.
 
aovenden said:
I did see that in red in the manual about the band. I have managed to fit it ok. just a little work with the dremel to cut a bit away from the bottom and feed the wire up. The problem I have is trying to get my head around all this DCC stuff. Seems strange that I spend all day sat working on servers and PC's yet this is just getting the better of me. Still I will give it another crack later and see how it goes.

Cheers,
Alan.
Click to expand...
Yes, but the software was written by a German. The manual was written in German, and then translated to English (probably by a German). And it was a German who interpreted the NMRA standards (written by an American committee) in the first place!
;) :D ;D ;D
 
Well, another evening spent and still no nearer to finding a solution to the un-coupler. So according to the decoder manual, function output A1/A2 and A3/A4 can be used for the un-coupler. For A2 CV 56 should have the 31 value and for A4 CV 115 should have the 31 value. That's all it says.
Following the decoder install guide I have connected the smoke generator to A1/A2 and 1 coupler to the A3/A4 connector. The un-coupler manual mentions no settings at all for them.
Using my sprog and decoderpro3 I have been having a look at ways to get this working. Still no luck. Thought I had it when under lights and functions I found and the F7 command allocation key. But I think this is for turning the smoke on and off.

Seriously how complicated can this be.

would this be any easier trying to programme it from the central station and using massoth software rather than the decoderpro.

I can see me piling all the various piles of pieces into a box and shipping it off to someone to try and get it all working.

Argh,

Right rant over, where did put that drink.
:)
 
oh well, knew I should have quit when I had the chance. Just gone and seem to have reset the entire decoder. :(

ho hum, ::) at least I have an attractive paper weight for the shed.

Stronger drink needed this time I think.
 
Alan,
Smoke should be connected between +22V and the A1 output.. By default this will be controlled by the F7 function key..
Assuming the smoke unit had black/white wires (does not matter which way round you connect these) CV 53 should be set to '5'. - This will give you approximately 5V to the smoke unit.
CV 54 should be set to the default value of '7'. - CV 54 holds the number of the function key to operate output A1 of the decoder.

What is it that is not working with the uncoupler?
Is it 'nothing' happens, or it just does not function properly?

Can you here it being driven when you operate the function button?
Which output are you using? - You should be using the S3 output.
So,
Black wire to decoder -ve. - either middle solder pad on the end opposite the track/motor connections OR the pad nearest the centre of the decoder on the long edge.
Brown wire to S3 - the top one of the five pads on the end of the decoder (nearest the middle of the decoder).
Red wire to decoder +ve. - the middle pad of the three on the long edge of the decoder.

When you put the two halves of the uncoupler back together, you need to make sure the driven 'nut' is square, and engages properly in its' slot. do NOT over tighten the two screws that hold the two parts together. - This can stop the unit being free enough to operate.

Now to programming..
Which function key do you want to operate the uncoupler? - CV 113 holds the value for the function key to operate output S3 (default is '3').
CV 112 should be its' default value of '32', to give full track voltage from output S3.
Read section6.2 of the uncoupler manual.. Do not over-operate the uncoupler. Let it rest between tests.
Do not use the S4 output.. It is only rated at 10mA, and the uncoupler needs a 50mA (or greater) function output.

I am not sure where you have got the value '31' from, and what you are expecting it to do??
 
Thanks for the reply philp
The decoder is an emotion ls card and according to the manual you should just have been able to connect the un-coupler to the A1/A2 ports and the A3/A4 port using the connectors on the decoder shouldn't have needed any soldering to the pads. It just said set the CVS to 31. Which I set on 31 for the cv115
As I mentioned though. I was following something on the massoth forum and have completely messed up the card now. All the CVS have changed and the whole thing just clicks now. Not a lot I can do anymore.

Cheers,
Alan
 
If you have done a reset, as long as nothing has been damaged, which is not very likely the decoder can have the sounds put back in..

I am up in the Midlands, and there are others nearer to you (think you are on the South coast?) who may pop-up and offer to help out, but if not PM me for my address and send it up here with a note of which sound-file you would like in it, and I can re-programme it for you.
 
Yeah, south coast. Only live a few miles away from muns who I got the card off. Might drop him a mail in the morning and see if he could reset it for me. Just very frustrating. Can't get my head round CVS and stuff.
Really appreciate your help though.
Cheers,
Alan
 
I fitted a uncoupler to a Stainz, rear only at first, but have since done the front as well, set mine to work off F16, personal preference, so that you have to select the higher functions list to access it.

Have since fitted a one to the front, after finding this on the net.

http://stummiforum.de/viewtopic.php?t=65319

as detailed here..

https://www.gscalecentral.net/index.php?topic=240976.msg353942#msg353942

starts reply 201...

Carn't recommend enough, that you get one of Mark's coupler adaptors, as it will save a wiring headache, as for the function CV, if using A3, change CV 113 to the function number you want.

BTW a note check which plug you connect the coupler to, as mine wouldn't work first time, spent an hour or so trying to sort it when I discovered I had it plugged into the wrong plug :(

But it works...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txu-G6Hlt3Y
 
Ok, while this is still not working I was planning on fitting the second uncoupler to my 2095 (Whizzy Cranks) Loco which has an XLS board in it. Before I mess this one up like the last one has anyone fitted any experience fitting these. I have had a look at the manuals and inside but again its never as easy as it looks. So before I even attempt the programming how can I connect it to the board. I can see that there is an F7/F8 connector on the XLS which would take the plug on the end of the uncoupler so would this be a good place to start or should I cut the connector off and connect it to the screw terminals along one edge.

May seem like a simple question but really don't want to mess this one up like the last one.

Cheers,

Alan.
 
Alan, No - A(F)7/8 do not work the same as A1/2/3/4.

You will need to connect the uncoupler to Dec+, Dec- and Ax. If you do not want to cut the connector off I can provide a little adapter for £7.50 that can be used to operate 2 uncouplers from one output (together) or two uncouplers independently (2 outputs needed).

http://www.gardenrailoutlet.co.uk/uncoupler-adapter-board

I can make out of stock items relatively quickly.
 
Cheers Mark,

I don`t mind cutting the ends off and soldering etc, its more the knowing where to put it that`s the problem. I have hopefully attached a picture of the XLS board but I can`t see any A* numbers only the F* numbers down the side. Would they be the same.

Cheers,
Alan.
 

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Hi Alan,

Yes A1 = F1 - Massoth changed the designation from Fx to Ax to confuse things or to make things a little simpler when referring to Function keys of the handset (i.e. F7 operates F1, is now F7 operates A1) :)

Or it could be a simple translation thing - Output is Ausgang or Ausgabe in German.

If you are about/free on Sunday, bring this and your Stainz and I will be happy to try an sort them for you (kitten sitting on Sunday so cant leave the premises).
 
Yes I was going to add that A probably = Ausgang. I always assumed they used A* rather than F* because on many decoders a function can be mapped to different physical outputs depending on CV settings. So there's not necessarily a direct link "Fn controls An", although that's often the default mapping.
 
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