RevolutioN Announces Crowdfunded N Gauge Class 128

[woodenhead]

Having experienced the problem myself I do have skin in the game here and it would be good to know what the speaker was rated at as the comments are it's a 'fairly standard sugar cube IIRC but it is fair to say that there are better speakers out there' does leave the door open to it being at the lesser end of a standard range.  My current choice for N gauge locos are 0.5 watt mini cube speakers and I've not noticed any distortion with MS series sound decoders out of the box as it were.

 

However, on the flip side this past couple of weeks I have been using sound projects from Digitrains that are not tuned to N gauge with some interesting aspects about functions due to their set up likely being for OO Dapol or Heljan products.  Before this week the only class 128s in town have been Heljan OO or O models with the sound projects most likely designed for the OO product when it was released.  So perhaps what we are experiencing are CV & volume settings aimed at bigger models with bigger speaker capacities leading to the resultant crackle when they instead find a 'fairly standard sugarcube'.  In that scenario we cannot blame RevolutioN for our purchases of a sound project being set up for a model expecting a much larger speaker.

 

But for the class 120 I would hope RevolutioN look again at how they specify the electric components, there is no price yet for the model as it's still being worked on so the opportunity to put in a decent standard rather than fairly standard speaker is still there without impacting on return on investment for the company.  If you are going to bury the speaker as it has been in this case, meaning replacement requires disassembly of the model then the quality of the item needs to be higher.

 

 

[Roy L S]

8 hours ago, Kaput said:

Worth noting the Zimo manual still suggests CV266 =  64 as the highest "distortion free" volume.

As a long time customer (no other connection) I would trust YouChoos default settings as they have been doing sound on Zimo for donkeys years, and it is fair to say that personally I have fitted these to a good variety of locos both "plug and play" (6 pin and Next 18) and hardwired using a variety of different makes and sizes of speaker. However notwithstanding that, in this particular case I have taken CV266 right down to 40 which while much improved hasn't completely eliminated the problem.

 

As yet so far unexplained is why at default settings the decoder and sound file performed perfectly in the "plug and play" Farish Class 31 which also has a Sugarcube speaker, and failed to in the 128. Indeed my very first thought when initially encountering the "crackle" issue was to check the chip in another loco so as to rule that out as the culprit. I may well experiment further today, reset the chip to default settings and try it in a range of other N18 "plug and play" locos I have, Rapido 28 for one, to see if any present similar issues and while I am doing that I will try the 28's ESU chip in the 128.

 

Regards

 

Roy

 

 

 

 

[Roy L S]

9 hours ago, woodenhead said:

Having experienced the problem myself I do have skin in the game here and it would be good to know what the speaker was rated at as the comments are it's a 'fairly standard sugar cube IIRC but it is fair to say that there are better speakers out there' does leave the door open to it being at the lesser end of a standard range.  My current choice for N gauge locos are 0.5 watt mini cube speakers and I've not noticed any distortion with MS series sound decoders out of the box as it were.

 

However, on the flip side this past couple of weeks I have been using sound projects from Digitrains that are not tuned to N gauge with some interesting aspects about functions due to their set up likely being for OO Dapol or Heljan products.  Before this week the only class 128s in town have been Heljan OO or O models with the sound projects most likely designed for the OO product when it was released.  So perhaps what we are experiencing are CV & volume settings aimed at bigger models with bigger speaker capacities leading to the resultant crackle when they instead find a 'fairly standard sugarcube'.  In that scenario we cannot blame RevolutioN for our purchases of a sound project being set up for a model expecting a much larger speaker.

 

But for the class 120 I would hope RevolutioN look again at how they specify the electric components, there is no price yet for the model as it's still being worked on so the opportunity to put in a decent standard rather than fairly standard speaker is still there without impacting on return on investment for the company.  If you are going to bury the speaker as it has been in this case, meaning replacement requires disassembly of the model then the quality of the item needs to be higher.

 

 

 

 

I too have successfully used the MS500 paired with a Microcube 5 speaker (0.5 watt 8 ohm rating) in a variety of projects and this has worked fine without any distortion even when (under YouChoos advice) increasing CV266 to 80 to improve volume.

 

Just like the MS580 the MS500 is rated at 1 watt audio at 8 ohm, so as far as I can see the output shouldn't be an issue for a typical Sugarcube speaker given that a decent lower rated microcube works without distortion.

 

I am asking Youchoos for their thoughts as to whether the sound file as loaded on the MS580 for me should ordinarily overpower a typical Sugarcube and cause such distortions.

 

Regards

 

Roy

[Roy L S]

As mentioned above, I have taken the time this morning to do some swapping about of decoders between locos.

 

Having already tried the Zimo MS580 in the Class 31, I know that worked fine so next I have taken one of my Rapido 28s and swapped the ESU decoder from that to the 128 and vice versa. 

 

I reset the MS580 to default and set the 128 off, as expected the "crackle" returned big time.

 

I put the MS580 in the Class 28 and it runs perfectly with the Zimo, without any sound distortion whatsoever.

 

However the really interesting finding is that the 128 with the Class 28's ESU sound decoder installed (exactly how it came out of the 28) also runs without any speaker crackle whatsoever.

 

Then, even more interesting, I took the Zimo sound decoder from my Farish C Class and put that in the 128, and off it chuffed (seeming very strange) also with no crackle. I have checked the paperwork and that decoder, while a Next 18 is an MX658 so an earlier series of decoder.

 

For completeness the last checks I did were the MS580 in the C Class and giving it full acceleration off it chugged without any crackle or distortion whatsoever, although the sound of it changing gear was interesting, I then put the MX658 in the Class 28, again off it chuffed with no distortion.

 

So, in summary of the three chips tried in each of the three locos, all worked perfectly in the Farish C Class and the Rapido 28. The ESU and the MX658 both worked fine in the 128 without any discernible "crackling" but in that loco the Zimo MS580 (at default settings as tested in all locos) crackled like crazy. It seemed that the sound settings in the first two may have been a tad quieter.

 

What does this point to? I value others thoughts too, but what it strongly suggests to me is that the MS580's output is indeed higher, and while the speakers in the C Class and 28 are up to the job, the 128's is not.

 

Roy

[TomE]

Really impressed with the 128, an all-round excellent model and the performance of the chassis bodes well for future models using it. 

 

NGN review now up here

 

Tom. 

[woodenhead]

@Roy L S Mine is also an MS580.

[charliepetty]

On 21/10/2023 at 10:45, Roy L S said:

As mentioned above, I have taken the time this morning to do some swapping about of decoders between locos.

 

Having already tried the Zimo MS580 in the Class 31, I know that worked fine so next I have taken one of my Rapido 28s and swapped the ESU decoder from that to the 128 and vice versa. 

 

I reset the MS580 to default and set the 128 off, as expected the "crackle" returned big time.

 

I put the MS580 in the Class 28 and it runs perfectly with the Zimo, without any sound distortion whatsoever.

 

However the really interesting finding is that the 128 with the Class 28's ESU sound decoder installed (exactly how it came out of the 28) also runs without any speaker crackle whatsoever.

 

Then, even more interesting, I took the Zimo sound decoder from my Farish C Class and put that in the 128, and off it chuffed (seeming very strange) also with no crackle. I have checked the paperwork and that decoder, while a Next 18 is an MX658 so an earlier series of decoder.

 

For completeness the last checks I did were the MS580 in the C Class and giving it full acceleration off it chugged without any crackle or distortion whatsoever, although the sound of it changing gear was interesting, I then put the MX658 in the Class 28, again off it chuffed with no distortion.

 

So, in summary of the three chips tried in each of the three locos, all worked perfectly in the Farish C Class and the Rapido 28. The ESU and the MX658 both worked fine in the 128 without any discernible "crackling" but in that loco the Zimo MS580 (at default settings as tested in all locos) crackled like crazy. It seemed that the sound settings in the first two may have been a tad quieter.

 

What does this point to? I value others thoughts too, but what it strongly suggests to me is that the MS580's output is indeed higher, and while the speakers in the C Class and 28 are up to the job, the 128's is not.

 

Roy

Hi Roy.

 

We find your comments really interesting and this has confirmed what we have seen on odd occasions before in N Gauge models and smaller locos.

.

We have been working with Revolution Trains to provide sound files tailored to suit their models using ESU Micro Decoders, the circuit boards are designed as far as we know to ESU's specifications.   We never set up our Legomanbiffo sound files to suit the 'pre production' models, only those on actual sale as specifications & motors can change on the actual production models.

 

Our completed sound files for the Class 128 obviously had to wait while a production one arrived, thus many customers have recieved their pre ordered models at the exactly same time as we got ours.

 

The testing we have done over the last few days confirmed that the Class 128 model worked as designed, at all reasonable volume levels. But as the ESU decoders come as standard with the ESU sugarcube speaker & sound chamber kit, this obviously allows customers to have a choice of the fitted speaker, two speakers or just the ESU speaker, there of course is a 'No Speaker' option available.

 

Our Legomanbiffo comprehensive sound project, designed only for the Class 128 Revolution model, is being shipped out to all of our waiting customers from tommorrow (Monday).

 

For your intertest our project includes the following unique features to enhance you drivine experience.

 

Class 128 (Next 18 Micro + Speaker)

 

'NEW to this project are'

Four Changeable Horn Sets, Three changeable Firebell Sets, Two Changeable Handbrakes & Three Changeable AWS Sets.

 

Stande=ard Function Key Layout for Legomanbiffo/ESU Sound Decoders.

F0   Directional lights.     .

F1   Engine with Multistart.                                                                       CV259=128

F2   Playable Horn  .                .                                                                  CV435=128

F3   Playable Horn                                                                                      CV443=128

F4   Buffering Up.                                                                                       CV283=90

F5   Manuel Brake (When Moving),Brake Dump (When Stationery). CV291=100

F6   Passenger Doors.                                                                                CV299=128

F7   Gear Change (When moving) Engine Speedup (If stationery).    CV307=90

F8   Toilet Flush (Set CV 315 to 0 if not required)                                  CV315=70                               

F9   Automatic Variable speed flange squeel.                                      CV323=100

F10 Guards/Despatch Whistle.                                                                CV331=60

F11 Guard to Drive Signal & optional reply)                                          CV339=40

F12 Windscreen Wipers                                                                            CV347=60

F13 Auxiliary Heater.                                                                                 CV355=70

F14 Handbrake warning buzzer.                                                             CV363=40                                

F15 Fire Bell/Buzzer..                                                                                CV371=50 

F16 Apply Handbrake.                                                                              CV379=110                           

F17 Release Handbrake.                                                                          CV387=110

F18 Speed dependant detonators.                                                        CV395=128

F19 Not Used

F20 Disable Red Tailights.                                                                       CV427=128

F21 Not Used

F22 AWS System.                                                                                      CV411=50                      

F23 Vacuum Dump.   .                                                                             CV451=128

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

CV Changeable High Horns: 

CV155=0 (Horn A) CV155=1 (Horn B) CV155=2 (Horn C) CV155=3 (Horn D) 

CV Changeable Low Horns: 

CV156=0 (Horn A) CV156=1 (Horn B) CV156=2 (Horn C) CV156=3 (Horn D)  

CV Changeable Firebell/Buzzer:

CV157=0 (Fire bell A)  CV157=1 (Fire Buzzer) CV157=1 (Fire bell B)

CV Changeable Handbrake:

CV158=0 (Handbrake A)  CV158=1 (Handbrake B ) 

CV Changeable AWS Warning Sounds:

CV159=0 (AWS Set A)  CV159=1 (AWS Set B )  CV159=2 (AWS Set C )   

 

These decoders can be located on the Legomanbiffo/DCKits website below:

https://www.dckits-devideos.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=221_251_229&product_id=2098

 

If anyone has a question re these DCC sounds, please ask:   pacercharlie2@gmail.com

Thank you:  Charlie-Legomanbiffo

 

PPS See us at Gaydom Motor Museum next weekend, then Spalding & the NEC Birmingham and December at Manchester.

Edited October 22, 2023 by charliepetty

[Roy L S]

59 minutes ago, charliepetty said:

Hi Roy.

 

We find your comments really interesting and this has confirmed what we have seen on odd occasions before in N Gauge models and smaller locos.

.

We have been working with Revolution Trains to provide sound files tailored to suit their models using ESU Micro Decoders, the circuit boards are designed as far as we know to ESU's specifications.   We never set up our Legomanbiffo sound files to suit the 'pre production' models, only those on actual sale as specifications & motors can change on the actual production models.

 

Our completed sound files for the Class 128 obviously had to wait while a production one arrived, thus many customers have recieved their pre ordered models at the exactly same time as we got ours.

 

The testing we have done over the last few days confirmed that the Class 128 model worked as designed, at all reasonable volume levels. But as the ESU decoders come as standard with the ESU sugarcube speaker & sound chamber kit, this obviously allows customers to have a choice of the fitted speaker, two speakers or just the ESU speaker, there of course is a 'No Speaker' option available.

 

Our Legomanbiffo comprehensive sound project, designed only for the Class 128 Revolution model, is being shipped out to all of our waiting customers from tommorrow (Monday).

 

For your intertest our project includes the following unique features to enhance you drivine experience.

 

Class 128 (Next 18 Micro + Speaker)

 

'NEW to this project are'

Four Changeable Horn Sets, Three changeable Firebell Sets, Two Changeable Handbrakes & Three Changeable AWS Sets.

 

Stande=ard Function Key Layout for Legomanbiffo/ESU Sound Decoders.

F0   Directional lights.     .

F1   Engine with Multistart.                                                                       CV259=128

F2   Playable Horn  .                .                                                                  CV435=128

F3   Playable Horn                                                                                      CV443=128

F4   Buffering Up.                                                                                       CV283=90

F5   Manuel Brake (When Moving),Brake Dump (When Stationery). CV291=100

F6   Passenger Doors.                                                                                CV299=128

F7   Gear Change (When moving) Engine Speedup (If stationery).    CV307=90

F8   Toilet Flush (Set CV 315 to 0 if not required)                                  CV315=70                               

F9   Automatic Variable speed flange squeel.                                      CV323=100

F10 Guards/Despatch Whistle.                                                                CV331=60

F11 Guard to Drive Signal & optional reply)                                          CV339=40

F12 Windscreen Wipers                                                                            CV347=60

F13 Auxiliary Heater.                                                                                 CV355=70

F14 Handbrake warning buzzer.                                                             CV363=40                                

F15 Fire Bell/Buzzer..                                                                                CV371=50 

F16 Apply Handbrake.                                                                              CV379=110                           

F17 Release Handbrake.                                                                          CV387=110

F18 Speed dependant detonators.                                                        CV395=128

F19 Not Used

F20 Disable Red Tailights.                                                                       CV427=128

F21 Not Used

F22 AWS System.                                                                                      CV411=50                      

F23 Vacuum Dump.   .                                                                             CV451=128

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

CV Changeable High Horns: 

CV155=0 (Horn A) CV155=1 (Horn B) CV155=2 (Horn C) CV155=3 (Horn D) 

CV Changeable Low Horns: 

CV156=0 (Horn A) CV156=1 (Horn B) CV156=2 (Horn C) CV156=3 (Horn D)  

CV Changeable Firebell/Buzzer:

CV157=0 (Fire bell A)  CV157=1 (Fire Buzzer) CV157=1 (Fire bell B)

CV Changeable Handbrake:

CV158=0 (Handbrake A)  CV158=1 (Handbrake B ) 

CV Changeable AWS Warning Sounds:

CV159=0 (AWS Set A)  CV159=1 (AWS Set B )  CV159=2 (AWS Set C )   

 

These decoders can be located on the Legomanbiffo/DCKits website below:

https://www.dckits-devideos.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=221_251_229&product_id=2098

 

If anyone has a question re these DCC sounds, please ask:   pacercharlie2@gmail.com

Thank you:  Charlie-Legomanbiffo

 

PPS See us at Gaydom Motor Museum next weekend, then Spalding & the NEC Birmingham and December at Manchester.

 

Hi Charlie

 

I appreciate you taking the time to share all of the above, it is all very interesting and informative and of course I am very aware of your extensive knowledge and experience with absolutely everything DCC sound related. 

 

What has still not been explained (and this isn't I appreciate something you will necessarily be able to answer) is why the Zimo MS580N18 decoder I purchased with the YouChoos sound project loaded worked perfectly at default settings as supplied not just in the Farish locos tried which typically have Zimo decoders fitted in sound versions anyway, but also the Rapido Class 28 which is set up for an ESU decoder (in my case the two I have came so fitted) only the Revolution 128 has the sound-distortion problem and this is why I remain convinced it is the rating of the speaker that is the issue.

 

The level of work you have put into the sound project specifically for the Revolution Trains 128 is clear from what you have listed above and to be honest I wasn't aware of it. We all have our preferences and mine has always been to use Zimo wherever possible because of their reputation for high quality and resilience which has served me well for many years. That is not to say I don't have any sound locos with ESU decoders or have anything against them, and had I known about your sound file for this loco I might well have gone for it, so bringing the option to my attention is very much appreciated. However, of course the issue for me is that I have already spent the best part of the price I paid for the loco on the Zimo one and it is hard to justify another £130 ish (at a guess) for another decoder to fix the issue!

 

I accept that nobody was aware that the issue would arise with the Zimo decoder, but I am now in a position where I wouldn't want to even change the speaker for a better rated one that will suit it because of the risk of invalidating the warranty, so I am a bit stuck really, and with all due respect to Mike Hale I do not consider knocking down CV 266 to minimise the "crackle" a satisfactory solution.

 

For others though who haven't made a decoder or sound-file choice I am reckoning (knowing the quality of the Legomanbiffo sound files) you may have more than a few enquiries!

 

Best wishes

 

Roy

 

 

[Kaput]

From the images in the NGN review the speaker looks like it would be easy to swap to a better sugarcube without any risk of damage.

 

 

[Roy L S]

47 minutes ago, Kaput said:

From the images in the NGN review the speaker looks like it would be easy to swap to a better sugarcube without any risk of damage.

 

 

Thank you, I will take a look.

[davebem]

Doh, missed the boat on these and didnt pre order.  They look excellent, if anyone knows where 55992 (Red with gangways) is still in stock please let me know, tried all the usual places!

[gedlee]

Kernow Model Centre are still taking preorders

cheers,

Ged.

 

[Davexoc]

So I thought I would run my 128 with a tail load, then it became a bit of a test session. I ended up with this ensemble...

 

 

That is 2 x GUVs, 3 x CCT, 2 x SPV, a SR CCT, then 5 more bogie vehicles including a Lima Syphon on Dapol bogies, 13 vehicles in total.

Now that lot could circulate as Express Parcels in 30 seconds, 45-50 would be a more realistic speed. But then how would it perform at slow speed?

Well, it works better over pointwork with power bogie leading, and the drag on the tighter bends leads to a little wheelspin. Going in the powered bogie trailling mode, the trailling wheelset would drop into the gap on the crossing of Peco code 80s in the fiddle yard, requiring a nudge to get going again. But, powered bogie leading the whole ensemble completed a circuit in 4.5 minutes....

That to me is impressive for such a low profile motor driving just 2 axles. Bring on the missing units....

 

[charliepetty]

The Class 128 Decoders will be available at the Great British modelrailway show at Gaydon Museum (Near Leamington Spa), just off the M40 motorway.

 

See you there.    Charlie

[Revolution Mike]

Most retailers may have only just received their stock so might not be showing in stock yet. You could try some of the smaller shops (listed on our website) or places without e-commerce sites that might still have stock. 
 

Cheers Mike

[Steven B]

14 hours ago, Davexoc said:

That to me is impressive for such a low profile motor driving just 2 axles. Bring on the missing units....

 

Bodes well for a class 124!

 

SB

[John YouChoos]

Having tried a 128 model with Zimo MS580, MS590 and the new MS581, all perform similarly with the factory speaker.  It appears to be quite a low powered component for the speaker, but perhaps more importantly there is very little gap between it and the chassis, so not much of an enclosure.

 

Volume is therefore very low, and due to a less-than-perfect seal, a bit of crackle occurs.

 

Like many RTR speaker-fitted models, this is good for getting you going with DCC Sound, but there is usually something better possible.  In this case I would just insulate the SPK pads under the model's PCB and solder wires from the pads up to the main body cavity.  A YouChoos SugarCube8 speaker fits easily up there and sounds are massively improved.  Not much effort for a big improvement.

 

The model runs nicely.

 

As an aside, we also tried the model with a Zimo MN180 standard decoder, which works well, except that the decoder has a habit of heating up a lot and tripping its' thermal cut-out logic.  The solution to this is to disable any unnecessary protocols, such as Mfx, Motorola etc. by setting CV#12=4 (DCC protocol only).  If your system does not use RailCom, it is also worth disabling RailCom (switching off Bit3 of CV#29, value 8).  This reduces the amount of work that the MN processor needs to do and keeps the operating temperature down.

 

Hope that's useful.

John

YouChoos

 

[Roy L S]

1 hour ago, John YouChoos said:

Having tried a 128 model with Zimo MS580, MS590 and the new MS581, all perform similarly with the factory speaker.  It appears to be quite a low powered component for the speaker, but perhaps more importantly there is very little gap between it and the chassis, so not much of an enclosure.

 

Volume is therefore very low, and due to a less-than-perfect seal, a bit of crackle occurs.

 

Like many RTR speaker-fitted models, this is good for getting you going with DCC Sound, but there is usually something better possible.  In this case I would just insulate the SPK pads under the model's PCB and solder wires from the pads up to the main body cavity.  A YouChoos SugarCube8 speaker fits easily up there and sounds are massively improved.  Not much effort for a big improvement.

 

The model runs nicely.

 

As an aside, we also tried the model with a Zimo MN180 standard decoder, which works well, except that the decoder has a habit of heating up a lot and tripping its' thermal cut-out logic.  The solution to this is to disable any unnecessary protocols, such as Mfx, Motorola etc. by setting CV#12=4 (DCC protocol only).  If your system does not use RailCom, it is also worth disabling RailCom (switching off Bit3 of CV#29, value 8).  This reduces the amount of work that the MN processor needs to do and keeps the operating temperature down.

 

Hope that's useful.

John

YouChoos

 

Hi John

 

Thank you, that is very useful information which validates my suspicions about the speaker used. I really like the model in every other respect so I'll be on to you for a Sugarcube 8 in due course and just have to be careful when I install it. I hope Revolution Trains are gracious enough to take this feedback on board and if nothing can be done about the 128s at least factor it into the specification, design and fit for the sound components for the 120 which I, and many others I know are keenly awaiting.

 

Regards

 

Roy

Edited October 24, 2023 by Roy L S

[John YouChoos]

To clarify, there is a BIG difference to the factory speaker with and without the body of the DPU being fitted.  Volume levels are quite acceptable with the body on, but there is definite crackle that the replacement speaker will eliminate.

 

[woodenhead]

53 minutes ago, John YouChoos said:

To clarify, there is a BIG difference to the factory speaker with and without the body of the DPU being fitted.  Volume levels are quite acceptable with the body on, but there is definite crackle that the replacement speaker will eliminate.

 

That was my experience, I reduced the volume and then put the body on and it definitely amplifies the sound again.

 

I may swap out my speaker, but really it's still loud enough for me so why go to the bother, plenty more locos to fit speakers into yet before I consider retrofitting.

 

To me, if the class 128 is the first use of the chassis, then it's a learning experience for RevolutioN which can be incorporated into the 120 and whatever comes beyond that...

 

hint hint

[nabber]

20 hours ago, John YouChoos said:

As an aside, we also tried the model with a Zimo MN180 standard decoder, which works well, except that the decoder has a habit of heating up a lot and tripping its' thermal cut-out logic.  The solution to this is to disable any unnecessary protocols, such as Mfx, Motorola etc. by setting CV#12=4 (DCC protocol only).  If your system does not use RailCom, it is also worth disabling RailCom (switching off Bit3 of CV#29, value 8).  This reduces the amount of work that the MN processor needs to do and keeps the operating temperature down.

 

Hope that's useful.

John

YouChoos

 

Thanks John,

I've seen similar behaviour, but it looks more like a bug rather than just the amount of work being done. Current consumption when running is around 80mA, but I would see it jump by approx 100mA intermittently for a few seconds. No effect on motor speed, and the extra current was still there with the motor stopped. This is about 1W that has to go somewhere, and is basically heating up the chip until it trips.

For me, turning off RailCom stopped this happening. Turning off Mfx etc made no difference.

It's not specific to the Class 128 - I have a Farish Class 40 and Rapido Class 28 with the same behaviour.

 

Neil

 

[Steven B]

23 hours ago, John YouChoos said:

As an aside, we also tried the model with a Zimo MN180 standard decoder, which works well, except that the decoder has a habit of heating up a lot and tripping its' thermal cut-out logic

 

Is this a common problem with the MN180 on all models, or something specific to the Revolution Class 128?

 

 

Steven B

[John YouChoos]

It is currently under investigation by Zimo, affecting a number of the smaller decoders (MN180, MN170 and MS500 are ones I've had it reported on). Some models no problem, others seem to exhibit it. Track voltage higher than the norm for N gauge (14-16v) can also exasperate it.

 

The work-around for now is to disable unnecessary processing (CV#12=4 for DCC only and CV#29 bit3 off to disable RailCom).

 

This seems to have resolved all of the cases I've had reported, though of course is not a long-term solution.  Hopefully Zimo will produce a firmware update for the decoders to help.

 

[nabber]

27 minutes ago, John YouChoos said:

Hopefully Zimo will produce a firmware update for the decoders to help.

 

Hi John, do you know if firmware 4.237 shows any improvement? The release notes show Mfx and RailCom bugfixes, though don't specifically mention overheating. I saw problems with 4.228 and 4.229.

Many thanks,

Neil

 

[John YouChoos]

Hi Neil,

No, sadly 4.237 doesn't help.