RichardSpoors

The supplementary instruction brochure states that all 11 Function outputs on the V4L are 500mA. The 4XL is fully covered in the core V4.0 manual. Richard

There must be something! Just tried a Zimo decoder with the same problem. There is a copper wire holding the motor down. U+ is not connected. Just the track input, motor, and speakers. No lights etc. In the morning I'll remove the copper wire. Thanks. Richard

I have an 0 gauge locomotive that has been built with a live chassis and insulated wheels on one side. It is fitted with an ESU V4L decoder. I can program CVs and the sound file works whilst the loco is at rest. When power is applied, the decoder cuts out. I have tried another V4L and the same thing happens. I have retained the track input wires and wired the decoder to an identical motor on the bench, and everything is fine. Can anyone suggest what my problem is? The loco runs fine on DC with no shorts. Does DCC not like a live chassis, even though it's insulated? Thanks for your interest. Richard

I've just had excellent service from Zimo in Vienna. My MX696 that has been sitting in its box on a shelf for a year or two would not load a new sound file. I returned it to Zimo as I have no record of its purchase. It is now back with me with a report that says a manufacturing error has been repaired. I only had to pay the outbound postage. Regards Richard

Thanks, I'll have a look at that. The sound file has F10 as mute, but it should restore as it should be on/off. My default will be a reset and load the sound file again. Just curious as to see if anyone else has had the same problem. Regards Richard

I have uploaded one of Zimo's free German sound files to a MX695. The MX695 has the latest firmware. The function buttons work fine from 0 through to 8. When I press 9 the sound cuts out. I can only reset the sound by turning off power to the decoder and after 30 secs turning it back on. 0 through to 8 work fine until I come to F9 again. Any ideas what is going on? Thanks in advance Richard

Hi Nigel, thanks. The decoder is hard wired, so no loss of contact. I have just tried a second sound file and sadly it failed after 1 second. I conclude it is a fault in the sound flash memory so it's off to Vienna to see what Zimo say. Best wishes, Richard

After 3 years I found a Project for my Zimo MX696V sound decoder. First, I updated the firmware with my MXLUF without difficulty. I downloaded a free soundfile from the Zimo website and loaded it onto my MXLUF stick. Following the MXLUF instructions carefully, I started the file upload process to the decoder. All seemed well. Then at 3% upload the red LED came on with a message saying "no answer", which I took to be feedback from the decoder to the MXLUF. I tried again after a reset to the MXLUF and resetting the decoder to its factory default. All to no avail. I seem to have a decoder with a fault in the flash memory that stores the sound files. Am I right? Merry Christmas Richard

I have trawled the internet and NRM for works drawings of this small class of 4P 4-4-0 locomotives without obvious success. I have still to receive some publications from the hand of Bob Essery that may help. In the meantime are there any suggestions of sources that may help me build an accurate model?

I was interested in your list of Crocodile wagons. I thought the attached 7mm scale model was a GW Crocodile type, but I may be wrong as it has a sloping transition in the frames and the number is 40993 suggesting another class. Can you throw any new light on this please? Regards Richard