Lenz Compact - redundant?

[cheekychops]

I have a Lenz Compact (Digital Plus) controller. I cannot seem to interrogate any chip sensibly. The latest chip is Bachmann six pin.

 

I press +/- then set to PRO. Then F0, then select the register; for example R5 which corresponds to CV29. I then cannot seem to read any values - all I get is ERR2. I cannot seem to set any bits.

 

I have the manual but this does not seem to help. For example the speed notches facility seems to be absent. I have managed to set the loco address R1 though.

 

Is the LENZ Compact just too old?

 

 

[Nigelcliffe]

I have a Lenz Compact (Digital Plus) controller. I cannot seem to interrogate any chip sensibly. The latest chip is Bachmann six pin.

 

I press +/- then set to PRO. Then F0, then select the register; for example R5 which corresponds to CV29. I then cannot seem to read any values - all I get is ERR2. I cannot seem to set any bits.

 

I have the manual but this does not seem to help. For example the speed notches facility seems to be absent. I have managed to set the loco address R1 though.

 

Is the LENZ Compact just too old?

 

There are some old updates for the Compact, but even those only move it from "antique" to "somewhat ancient" - I doubt the device has seen any serious manufacturer updates in the last dozen years.  

 

So, yes, your Compact is old, and you're hitting its limits.  If the Compact functions fine as a controller for your needs and you're OK with computers then consider a Sprog (a computer device for programming decoders). Otherwise, consider replacing the Compact with something a bit more recent.

 

- Nigel

[Sunnysa]

I could be wrong but, I think Lenz stoped production of the Compact yrs ago.

 

As has been suggested, dump it and get a system that is more up to date.

 

 Most of the more recent systems are updatable as new versions of each system become avaiable.

 

 If budget is limited, have a look at the NCE Powercab.

 

 I don't use NCE myself but the Powercab is one of the better lower cost DCC systems on the market.

 

 It is also fully upgradable to the NCE procab if desired latter on.

 

 Cheers

 

  Ian

[cheekychops]

Many thanks - that saves me some time. I did buy it a while ago - I noticed one on eBay recently though.....

 

I have had a look at the NCE starter and at least it looks well built, solid,  - which I must say some other offerings do not.

[Adrian Wintle]

Err2 just means that it didn't see a response from the decoder (pulsing the motor). If you can set the address then you shoud be able to set the other registers.

 

• Er2 - No value was found during the readout of the selected register, or
no response was received from the decoder. However this does not mean
the decoder did not accept the new value. Try running the locomotive with
the new values before attempting to reprogram. Also, make sure the
locomotive is on the program track, and the program track is connected to
terminals P & Q on the Commander.

(the Atlas Commander is a re-badged Compact).

 

Also check whether you have the more recent firmware (3.2) which allows access to CVs directly. See http://www.atlasrr.com/pdf/Commander%20Direct%20Mode%20Programming.pdf

 

The Compact is a little ancient - it only does 2 digit addressing, doesn't support operations mode programming, and only supports F0-F4. It it pretty bulletproof and can be used as an additional controller to a Lenz (or other XpressNet) control station. I use mine, and the Atlas HandCommand throttles (LH30s), with my Lenz Set 100.

 

Adrian

[Frutigen]

My Compact has the later firmware and it does read CVs, as long as you read CV1 first then run up to at least CV9 and back before trying to read any others. You will see the code on the display change once you get to CV9. I really can't remember how I discovered this, but it works most of the time.

[sabino]

A few years ago now, probably around 2006, I bought a Lenz Compact by Digitalplus by Lenz. I supplemented this with a LH30 compact and then a LI101F interface. I was using the original compact and the LH30 but had yet to use the interface.

Unfortunately a major incident occurred in my life and I had to step back from model railways. Until now.

 

The reason I am asking your advice is that I have been told that my system is now useless. I am sure that is not the case and would seek your help in getting this up and running again.

 

Many thanks

 

Andy Campbell

[Scottish Modeller]

 

A few years ago now, probably around 2006, I bought a Lenz Compact by Digitalplus by Lenz. I supplemented this with a LH30 compact and then a LI101F interface. I was using the original compact and the LH30 but had yet to use the interface.

Unfortunately a major incident occurred in my life and I had to step back from model railways. Until now.

 

The reason I am asking your advice is that I have been told that my system is now useless. I am sure that is not the case and would seek your help in getting this up and running again.

 

Many thanks

 

Andy Campbell

 

Hi Andy,

 

No - Your Compact is not useless..

No - You don't HAVE to replace the Compact..

Yes - Things have moved on in DCC..

Yes - you can do most things you will need to with the Compact - it's just not as easy as with an up to date system..

Yes - you might want to consider a newer system - but it's up to you.

 

Besides - if you do get a newer system - you will be able to use the Compact as a slave.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Thanks

[The Bigbee Line]

 

A few years ago now, probably around 2006, I bought a Lenz Compact by Digitalplus by Lenz. I supplemented this with a LH30 compact and then a LI101F interface. I was using the original compact and the LH30 but had yet to use the interface.

Unfortunately a major incident occurred in my life and I had to step back from model railways. Until now.

 

The reason I am asking your advice is that I have been told that my system is now useless. I am sure that is not the case and would seek your help in getting this up and running again.

 

Many thanks

 

Andy Campbell

 

The compact and other items are bullet proof.  I have the same and a sprog (plus other lenz and roco stuff).

 

I like the versatility that you can always use them as controllers.

[corax67]

I picked a Compact last week on eBay for £14 - obviously someone else thought it was past it's sell by date - and it works like a dream !

 

My plan is to use it to run a couple of DCC box file layouts which are beginning to move from planning to timber stage but I gave it a test run on an odd loop with a lenz chipped Bachmann 08 and everything is sweet as a nut.

 

I know that if you need to investigate CV values then it's not the tool to use but as a basic DCC controller it is perfectly fine - I am lucky enough to have my big Lenz set to do programming but I already love the Compact and am looking for a second to give me one per layout because I am that happy with it.

[sabino]

Guys

 

Thanks for that. I was really beginning to think I would have to start again.

 

All the best

 

Andy

[cromptonnut]

I started with a Compact, then upgraded to a set 90.  I still use the Compact as a second controller. Added to that, with the laptop interface and JMRI software enables me to pretty much do everything I am ever likely to want to do.

[sabino]

The first major issue I have found is the inability to read, and therefore configure, a couple of Fleischmann decoders.

 

The loco decoder is being pulsed, but just gives me an ERR2.

 

I tried the UK Lenz specialist, but had no idea of what to do.

 

I also tried the LI101F that I bought around the same time, but I can't get that to recognise the Lenz controller. Probably an issue with my USB/RS232 interface.

 

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Many thanks in advance.

[sabino]

Just to answer my own question, as no one else knew. 

 

The compact/commander is unable to program Fleischmann decoders, plus many others.

[Phil S]

Isn't there something in the manual about Error 2 and adding a1k resistor? ... it's not just,'Fleischmann' decoders if at all ... maybe more related to the Fleischmann motor and its impedance???

[sabino]

If I moved the Fleischmann decoder to non Fleischman loco, the result was the same. If I used a Lenz decoder in either of Fleischmann locos, no problems.

 

The only ref to Err2 I found was this. Where were you seeing the reference to 1K resistor?

 

Er 2 No information was found during the programming or

reading out of a decoder. This means that it is possible

that the decoder was not connected correctly to the

programming output of the command station LZ100 (e.g.

the digital locomotive is not placed properly on the

programming track).

 

I bought a SPROG and programmed that way. But I would still like to keep using the Compact, if possible.

 

Many thanks

[Phil S]

Google search on 'Lenz error 2 1k resistor' will find references on this forum back to 2009 about this 8-)

Its a case of adjusting the 'current range' during the read back process so that the current is detectable ... with some it may be because it is too high (I have a note to use it when programming LGB G Scale locos with my Roco Multimaus for the same reason).

So try including a 1k resistor in series with one of the leads to the programming track, and try again.  (if that doesn't work, try the 1k across the track whilst programming ????)

[sabino]

Thanks for that.

I didn't think it was in the manual. 

[LindsayM]

Hi there, I too bought a Lenz compact controller a year ago, as an introduction to DCC, it worked fine for everything I wished to do - until I wanted to change a few Cvs. one ot the problems i found was that if I wanted to move from address 01 to o7 (eg) it was a bit labourious. (laborious - if you're American or Australian)  Since then i've bought a couple of LS150s from Lenz, and decided to use them for points/signals etc. I haven't done it yet but I think it'll mean that I'll have can run another "bus"  around the layout for "ancilliary' equipment. But I will then have One controller for locos and one for points signals etc. I think that'll be preferable to trying to hit +++ or --- on the compact to get to where I want to be. Sorry if this is a bit longwinded but it's my first post and i did want to contribute to what appears to be a VERY usefull forum.

Lindsay (who just this week has become closer to 80 than 70 and resurrected my Hornby Dublo purchased with my "paperboy money" from the mid 1950s)

[cromptonnut]

That's why it's good to have another controller apart from the Compact (or even a computer interface) - I use the Compact for controlling simple locos where you only have direction, lights on/off f0 and sound on/off f1 (and sometimes horn/whistle on f2), whereas for my more complex sound fitted locos that have a number of other functions I simply transfer to using the 90 handset I have, or for programming purposes if I'm not using the laptop.

 

As said before, the Compact is useful, cheap, basic and robust - but old and limited.  It's particularly useful if you aren't going to be using sound fitted locos.