Tony Walker

Just got round to filming one of my class 56's the other day and thought I'd load it on here for you. This is 56049 Colas livery with tankers. A selection of Bachmann, Revolution and someone else's as well. (Cav/Alex, you will know!). Still need to do some weathering on the tankers and the loco for a bit more realism.

I swopped the LVZ200 with my old LVZ100 late on Friday to see if there was any difference. Sorry to say the functions are the same, still nothing above F5 works. And you can only use a two-digit address code. Tried using a four-digit code and got nothing. Reprogrammed the loco to a two-digit code and it worked, but still nothing above function F5. So, it looks like the dongle does work with Lenz, but there are limitations as to what you can do. So, it looks like you are unable to control sound functions above F5, with sound fitted locos, but OK to run non-sound locos with limited light functions. It will work with two-digit addresses on the older LVZ100 v3.6 box and four-digit addresses with the new LVZ200 v4.0 box.

Mick, I've got locos to operate using 4 digit addresses OK but cannot use any function above F5 (F0 - F5). The sounds on F1 obviously work and so do horns set on the lower functions, but that's it. I'm using the new LZV200 box with the latest software and LH101 control. I think I might try my old LZV100 box and see if that operates any more functions. Will let you know.

Hi Nathan, can you let me know which version of the Lenz system you are using please and which Lenz box? (LZV100 or 200). I'm using the 200 and although I can use the first 6 functions (F0 - F5) after that none of them work. I've got an old LZV100 box and am thinking of swapping back to see if that works all the functions past F5, but it would be nice to know if you have a similar problem, and if not, what your Lenz setup is using. Thanks.

You can also pop the loco on your program track and set the decoder address that way. Then pop it back on the main track and set it up via Bluetooth that way. I've had the same problem and got round it doing this.

Put whatever you want to put or whatever icon you choose.

Are you using the Hornby Elite or another system please?

Having had another go with the dongle yesterday, it appears via my Lenz system that you can only operate the first six functions (F0 - F5). Anything above F5 doesn't do anything. Not sure if that's because I'm using the dongle via a Lenz system or if it's the same if you use the dongle via the Hornby Elite. If anyone else has set up and is using the dongle, it would be good to know if they have the same problem or not and what system they are using. I'll drop Hornby a note and see what they have to say. Will add, this is the case whether it's a sound decoder or a non-sound decoder.

Has Kris says above, you assign the loco to the dongle, which will be HM7040****, the allocated number. As for the functions, the system initially shows functions F0 thru to F28, as per the operating option. You can then either leave the function number as is, type a description, or type a description and add an icon, or just use an icon. Just ensure you set the function operation to Switch, Trigger, Time or Elite.

Got the dongle yesterday from Rails and started to get it set up with my Lenz LZV200 system. The setting up of the dongle was no problem at all, went really well. Added my first loco to the engine shed, including photo etc. Assigned it to the dongle and imported the "vanilla" function list. The loco I connected was a Cavalax 56. Used the app to try to run the loco and yes success it ran well. Tried a few functions like F0 lights and sound and all worked fine. Then assigned the function list with appropriate words and icons to see how that worked. All went very well, although the words appear to be too big for the space, when you go back to the "running" functions the words fit perfectly. Now the problem. Not all the functions work as they should. For instance, the cab lights won't work, the park lights won't work, the head light doesn't work and some of the sounds won't work either. No idea why, but I will probably have to spend a little more time checking things out. Will probably send Hornby an email regarding this to see if it's a problem. Or maybe the dongle is only designed to work with the Hornby system and not other Expressnet systems such as Lenz. I'll have to load a none sound loco up later and see how I get on with that. One nice feature I found is the ability to export the function setup and then load it against the same function setup on another loco. I then loaded another Cavalax 56 and imported the function setup and all the words etc. were they. So, if you have several locos that all have the same functions, once you've done one setup the rest can just be imported in, and they will also be done.

Have to agree Mike, the Symoba couplings work really well. I've used them on most of my non kinematic fitted coaches and never had a problem. You may need to do a little carving on the chassis to fit them, but once in place they work great. Just a matter of fitting them in the right place to get super close coupling.

Placed my order too, for sound fitted. Looking forward to this one having seen it a few times. Agree with XChris, more 37's due towards the end of 2025, but then again you never know!

Yes, I've had that happen on one of them, only at one end. The other five I have are all OK. Not sure which one it is though.

I've had the very same problem of stopping and starting randomly and no idea why. I then ran the loco in DCC mode with no problem. Switched back to Bluetooth and guess what - no problem. Very strange and no idea why. I also have a problem with the reset mode with a new decoder. Would not reset at all despite trying several times and know the reset code was correct. Popped it on the program track via my Lenz system and set the decoder number on it, popped it back on the layout and was then able to update the decoder and download the sound and function files I needed to.

You need to increase the value of CV63, anything up to a value of 192 (I think). best done using POM (programming on the main). You can then listen to the loco sound until you get the value that you feel is right for you.