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Version numbers of Lenz Decoders.?


250BOB

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Hi Guys,

I have a need to check out which type of lenz decoder I am using in some of my locos.

 

I know how to read out the version number by going into ID mode on the programming track.

 

What I could do with knowing is what each version number refers to.

 

i.e. so far I have managed to read the following version numbers...

 

I have now sourced the info I need, and added it to the version numbers below.

 

75......SILVER

 

93......STANDARD

 

95......LATEST SILVER+

 

81......OLD STANDARD

 

78......SILVER DIRECT

 

96......SILVER MINI

 

Is there such a thing as a version list so that I can easily refer to it.

 

Thanks....................Bob.

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Hi Bob

It may be worth calling A&H in Brackley as they are the agents in this country. When I have called them they have been very helpful and knowlegable.You can E mail them or call 01280 701410 They usually open at 10am. I have no connection with the shop other than customer.

 

 

Regards Andi

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Hi Guys,

Thankyou all for your help......the list was of some good use, but it doesnt show all the Lenz references I was looking for.

 

In particular, version 93, which I suspect is a Lenz Standard, but there is no reference to it........Version 96 is not shown either.

 

I shall do some more searching.....and maybe email A&H if I get stuck.

 

Thanks again...................Bob.

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Not sure how up to date that list is - the version number of the very latest TCS DP2X-UK decoder (with BEMF) is 86!!

 

 

One or two makers are very good at publishing their version numbers. Most makers do not publish anything, so what appears is "whatever happens to be spotted by someone who can be bothered to update the list". Anyone can contribute to the JMRI project and update details.

 

 

- Nigel

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I think I have managed to get all the info together, and added it to my first post against the version numbers.

 

Thanks everyone for your help.......much appreciated.

 

Just where would I be without RMweb and all you kind souls who come to my help.

 

Bob.

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Bob, Here's a few more to add to your list -

 

54 - Lenz 1024

61 - Gold

65 - Silver

71 - Gold

82 - Silver 21

91 - Gold Plus

95 - Silver Plus

99 - Silver 21 Plus

 

Also worth remembering, but that also complicates, CV128 tells you the software version on the decoder and that can vary even with the same type. I have some old Gold decoders that have numbers varying from 1 to 8.

 

Tony.

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Bob, Here's a few more to add to your list -

 

54 - Lenz 1024

61 - Gold

65 - Silver

71 - Gold

82 - Silver 21

91 - Gold Plus

95 - Silver Plus

99 - Silver 21 Plus

 

Also worth remembering, but that also complicates, CV128 tells you the software version on the decoder and that can vary even with the same type. I have some old Gold decoders that have numbers varying from 1 to 8.

 

Tony.

Hi Tony...........wow, thanks for all them. Where did you find all of those.??

 

Have I got the ones on my first post correct.????

 

Many thanks........................Bob.

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Hi Guys,

Anthony at A & H Models was kind enough to give me the following list.

 

70 Gold mini

 

71 Gold H0

 

72 Gold maxi

 

73 Köf H0

 

75 Silver

 

76 Silver mini

 

77 0-V36

 

78 Silver direct

 

79 Silver 21

 

80 LF101XF

 

81 Standard

 

82 Silver21 mit 21pol. Federleiste

 

83 LRC100

 

90 Gold mini PLUS

 

91 Gold (H0) PLUS

 

92 Gold21 PLUS

 

93 Standard PLUS

 

95 Silver PLUS

 

96 Silver mini PLUS

 

97 Silver Plux12 PLUS

 

98 Silver direct PLUS

 

99 Silver21 PLUS

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Hi Tony...........wow, thanks for all them. Where did you find all of those.??

 

Have I got the ones on my first post correct.????

 

Many thanks........................Bob.

 

Yes, your numbers are correct Bob. I have always been very pleased with Lenz decoders for many years, so I have quite a range and would recommend them to anyone. I keep a database of the different decoders fitted to each loco and as part of the data keep the values for cv7 and 128. Tony.

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Yes, your numbers are correct Bob. I have always been very pleased with Lenz decoders for many years, so I have quite a range and would recommend them to anyone. I keep a database of the different decoders fitted to each loco and as part of the data keep the values for cv7 and 128. Tony.

Hi Tony,

I keep a spreadsheet of all locos, decoders and cv settings.......but I have been swapping some decoders about, and I got in a bit of a mess.

This has been an interesting excercise, and now I can easily find out which is which from the list.

I too am a Lenz system user.....and I am almost 100% lenz decoded........I have NEVER found any decoders to match their performance to suit my needs.

Regards..........................Bob..

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Yes, your numbers are correct Bob. I have always been very pleased with Lenz decoders for many years, so I have quite a range and would recommend them to anyone. I keep a database of the different decoders fitted to each loco and as part of the data keep the values for cv7 and 128. Tony.

 

You've not come across the firmware problem with Silver+ series then. If you change direction with the offending firmware instead of slowing to a halt and then reversing it comes to an abrupt stop regarless of the momentum CV settings.

 

I have 3 like this that will have to be sent back for a firmware upgrade, a real pain as thier in Bachmann 2epb's which are a job to open up. Either that or spend £100+ on a Lenz decoder programmer. Not impressed.

 

Ray.

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You've not come across the firmware problem with Silver+ series then. If you change direction with the offending firmware instead of slowing to a halt and then reversing it comes to an abrupt stop regarless of the momentum CV settings.

 

I have 3 like this that will have to be sent back for a firmware upgrade, a real pain as thier in Bachmann 2epb's which are a job to open up. Either that or spend £100+ on a Lenz decoder programmer. Not impressed.

 

Ray.

Hi ray,

Havent the Lenz decoders always done this.??? If I have a Lenz decoded loco travelling on my layout, and I hit the reverse direction button while still under power, the loco immediatley stops, all my lenz decoders react like this.????

Is this what you meant, or have I misunderstood.??

Bob

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Hi Bob,

I don't know if a Lenz controller has a capability which does "change direction under power = emergency stop" (the Uhlenbrock Fred throttle I have does do this as a deliberate decision by the designer, but my other throttles from other makers do not).

But, if its not a design feature of the throttle, then there is something wrong with all your Lenz decoders.

 

 

The Gold I have in a Railbus behaves correctly, the way Ray describes things. As do all my other decoders from other makers.

 

 

- Nigel

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Hi Bob/Nigel.

Yes, that's what i meant, The loco should slow to a halt then accelerate in the opposite direction not suddenly stop.

I have 8 Lenz decoders, two older Lenz Silver which behave ok, 4 Silver21+, 2 behave ok, 2 don't, a Silvermini+ which is OK and a SilverDirect+ which isn't.

 

Apparently this is documented on some German forums and it is suggested that the offending decoders are returned to Lenz for a Firmware upgrade.

 

I'll be contacting the UK agent (A & H Models) tomorrow to see if they can do the firmware upgrade.

 

Ray.

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Hi Guys,

If my memory serves me correctly....every lenz decoder I have ever used performs the same way. I.E. if you hit the reverse direction button while the loco is still under power, it is like hitting the emergency stop, but for just that loco. If first you reduce the speed steps to zero, then hit the reverse direction button while the loco is still slowing, it will continue to slow normally, and come to a stop gently, ready to start off again in the opposite direction when power is re applied.

 

However, if my memory serves me, my pals gaugemaster prodigy system does not do this. If you reverse the direction while still under power, it comes to a gradual halt, then accelerates away in the opposite direction.

 

Bob.

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Hi Guys,

If my memory serves me correctly....every lenz decoder I have ever used performs the same way. I.E. if you hit the reverse direction button while the loco is still under power, it is like hitting the emergency stop, but for just that loco. If first you reduce the speed steps to zero, then hit the reverse direction button while the loco is still slowing, it will continue to slow normally, and come to a stop gently, ready to start off again in the opposite direction when power is re applied.

 

However, if my memory serves me, my pals gaugemaster prodigy system does not do this. If you reverse the direction while still under power, it comes to a gradual halt, then accelerates away in the opposite direction.

 

Bob.

Hi Bob.

Looks like there are some inconsistancies maybe depending on which system you use. I'm using a NCE Power Pro system and tried your suggestion (selecting speed step zero and then change direction), but it still stops dead the instant the direction button is pressed. Like i said, it only happens with some of my more recent Lenz+ version decoders.

I contacted A & H Models today and the gentleman didn't appear to be aware of this problem or of a firmware fix. Still i'm gonig to send one back to him for testing. I can only live in hope, as this problem mucks up the computer control (Rocrail) of my layout.

If worse comes to worse i'll have to ditch the offending decoders and go back to TCS ones which don't have any of these anomalies.

 

Ray.

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Hi Bob.

Looks like there are some inconsistancies maybe depending on which system you use. I'm using a NCE Power Pro system and tried your suggestion (selecting speed step zero and then change direction), but it still stops dead the instant the direction button is pressed. Like i said, it only happens with some of my more recent Lenz+ version decoders.

I contacted A & H Models today and the gentleman didn't appear to be aware of this problem or of a firmware fix. Still i'm gonig to send one back to him for testing. I can only live in hope, as this problem mucks up the computer control (Rocrail) of my layout.

If worse comes to worse i'll have to ditch the offending decoders and go back to TCS ones which don't have any of these anomalies.

 

Ray.

Hi Ray,

Certainly not a problem I have encountered with new or old Lenz decoders of all types, even the current Plus range, of which I am using about 25. That said, I am using a Lenz control system too, so I am not encountering any problems whatsoever.

Keep us informed as to what you find out.

Regards...................Bob

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Bob, Ray,

 

its "what I said above".

 

When designing a Throttle, the designer can choose to behave (at least) two ways if the user changes direction with a non-zero speed selected.

 

option A which Lenz appear to use according to Bob's reports, as does the Uhlenbrock Fred which I own. Throttle will issue an "emergency stop" packet to the current decoder. Result, decoder stops instantly. All decoders will do this regardless of maker.

 

option B which appears to be used by Gaugemaster(MRC), NCE, certainly used by Digitrax (I own a couple of different ones) and Sprog. Throttle will issue a new "direction" packet to the decoder. Result, the decoder slows following CV4, changes direction, then accelerates following CV3 to the set speed.

 

Now, Ray has found some Lenz decoders which appear to be faulty if used on controllers which exhibit behaviour B. This is confirmed on some German forums. However, anyone owning a controller which have behaviour A will never see the problem because the controller issues the "emergency stop" packet if the user tries to carry out the reverse.

 

There seems to be a suggestion of a pattern in the choice of A or B above. European makers in A, and US makers in B. Its not total, but suggestion of a trend. Therefore if returning decoder to A&H, specify that they have to test on a system which is known to behave like B.

 

 

- Nigel

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Bob, Ray,

 

its "what I said above".

 

When designing a Throttle, the designer can choose to behave (at least) two ways if the user changes direction with a non-zero speed selected.

 

option A which Lenz appear to use according to Bob's reports, as does the Uhlenbrock Fred which I own. Throttle will issue an "emergency stop" packet to the current decoder. Result, decoder stops instantly. All decoders will do this regardless of maker.

 

option B which appears to be used by Gaugemaster(MRC), NCE, certainly used by Digitrax (I own a couple of different ones) and Sprog. Throttle will issue a new "direction" packet to the decoder. Result, the decoder slows following CV4, changes direction, then accelerates following CV3 to the set speed.

 

Now, Ray has found some Lenz decoders which appear to be faulty if used on controllers which exhibit behaviour B. This is confirmed on some German forums. However, anyone owning a controller which have behaviour A will never see the problem because the controller issues the "emergency stop" packet if the user tries to carry out the reverse.

 

There seems to be a suggestion of a pattern in the choice of A or B above. European makers in A, and US makers in B. Its not total, but suggestion of a trend. Therefore if returning decoder to A&H, specify that they have to test on a system which is known to behave like B.

 

 

- Nigel

Hi Nigel/Bob

Thanks for your posting and suggestion of the Americian verse European modus operandi. My throttle (NCE) has a separate 'emergency stop' button so having the same with the direction would only duplicated the function.

I'm sending one of the decoders to A&H tomorrow to see if a firmware upgrade fixes it.

(assuming A&H can do this).

 

Regards

Ray.

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Hi Nigel/Bob

Thanks for your posting and suggestion of the Americian verse European modus operandi. My throttle (NCE) has a separate 'emergency stop' button so having the same with the direction would only duplicated the function.

I'm sending one of the decoders to A&H tomorrow to see if a firmware upgrade fixes it.

(assuming A&H can do this).

 

Regards

Ray.

Hi Ray,

On the Lenz we have a RED emergency stop button also.....everything completely stops.!!!!!

However, if you only want to Emergency Stop just ONE loco only, then you hit the reverse direction button while that loco is under power. That has always been the case with every Lenz decoder I have ever used............so in fact, the reverse direction button does NOT act as a duplicate to the Emergency Stop button. I find it quite useful (or really I should say Extremely Useful ) to emergency stop just one offending loco at times, and be able to leave the rest running, then no one notices you have cocked up.!!!

Cheers....................Bob.

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Hi Ray, On the Lenz we have a RED emergency stop button also.....everything completely stops.!!!!! However, if you only want to Emergency Stop just ONE loco only, then you hit the reverse direction button while that loco is under power. That has always been the case with every Lenz decoder I have ever used............so in fact, the reverse direction button does NOT act as a duplicate to the Emergency Stop button. I find it quite useful (or really I should say Extremely Useful ) to emergency stop just one offending loco at times, and be able to leave the rest running, then no one notices you have cocked up.!!! Cheers....................Bob.

 

Ah. another difference between manufactures, the emergency stop button on my throttle only stops the currently selected train. I have a big red button on the layout to stop the whole lot.

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Ah. another difference between manufactures, the emergency stop button on my throttle only stops the currently selected train. I have a big red button on the layout to stop the whole lot.

 

I think NCE will shut down the entire layout with multi-tap (three times?) of the emergency stop button.

 

 

- Nigel

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