beejack

It looks suspiciously like an ESU Chip. I zoomed in on the second picture and in the bottom corner next to the grey cable it looks like LP4 is written on the PCB. If so this probably an ESU lokpilot 4. https://www.modellbahnunion.com/Spur-H0-00/Decoder-Lokpilot-V4-0-Multiprotokoll-PluX12-Stecker.htm?SessionId=&a=article&ProdNr=ESU-54616&p=802 manual: http://www.esu.eu/uploads/tx_esudownloads/51982_LokPilot_V40_Family_ESUKG_EN_User-manual_Edition_3_eBook.pdf

As far as I am aware there has never been a sound decoder fitted to the Hornby class 55 St Paddy as a RTR product. This model is from the railroad range. Hornby have yet to produce a TTS decoder for the Class 55. Bachmann on the other hand have produced St Paddy as a sound loco and this had a loksound V3.5 chip installed in the factory. Brian

You need a 4 function chip for all lights to work. The Bachmann chip if it is a 36-554 is only a 3 function chip and so only one cab light would work. Which other chip have you tried? I have a Lenz silver+ 21 decoder in mine and both cab lights work. Mine is set up with directional lighting on F0 and cab lights on F1 with the cab lights only illuminating in the direction of travel. This was reprogrammed using jmri decoder pro. If you install a 4 function chip I believe the cab lights would be on F1 and F2

Take a look at this old topic lists it as being a loksound V4 chip.

Take a look at this video from Richard at Everard Junction.

I've taken a look at the decoder definitions for mc1 in Decoder pro and they only seem to look for either a value of zero or one for the dimming on CV41.

Just looked at the Zimo manual for the MX600-638 (which includes the MX600R) and couldn't see anything which recommends not running on DC. See the section below from the manual on page 16 & 17. also link at bottom of post to manual. This is the 2010 version so may have changed. 3.5 Analog operation All ZIMO decoders are capable of operating on conventional layouts with DC power packs, including PWM throttles, in analogue DC as well as in analogue AC (Märklin transformers with high voltage pulse for direction change). To allow analogue operation CV #29, Bit 2 = 1 must be set. This is usually the case by default (CV #29 = 14, which includes Bit 2 = 1), but analogue operation may be turned off in many sound projects (sound decoders). It is recommended to turn analogue mode off when operating strictly on DCC! The actual behaviour during analogue operation, however, is strongly influenced by the locomotive controller (power pack). Especially in conjunction with a weak transformer, it is easily possible that the Non-Sound Decoder MX600 - MX638 and Sound Decoder MX640 - MX659 Page 17 track voltage collapses when the decoder (motor) starts to draw power which, in the worst case, may lead to intermittent performance. There are some adjustment possibilities for analogue operation where motor control and function outputs are concerned; these CV’s can of course be read-out or programmed only with a DCC system or other programming device. link to manual http://www.zimo.at/web2010/documents/MX-KleineDecoder_E.pdf Brian

If you go down the route of two sets of bus wires then get a couple of EB1 Circuit breakers or similar and electrically isolate the two halves of the layout with insulated rail joiners, that way you can tell which half has a short. Don't put one on the accessory bus as unless the short is on this bus it will allow you to still change points etc. As for the connection between boards, why not just leave a little extra wire at the baseboard joint then should you have issues with shorts or wish to separate the boards you have the ability to add connectors at that point. You could always terminate the bus into 15 amp strip connectors at each end of the boards, and use a short bringing wire to connect the boards together.

I'm not aware of any issues with the CV for the volume being misquoted on the information sheet for the Vent van. I've just checked mine and CV190 is definitely for the overall volume. Have you tried programming it on the main? Set one sound playing then try changing CV190 to 1 if after exiting programming on the main the volume decreases then you know it has taken the new value. Using my Powercab, I've just tried mine on both the main and programming track and the volume changes using both methods. All the sound levels are controlled individually by CVs 160 - 189, with CV190 controlling the overall volume. Try changing the volume on CV161, this is for the air spanner and is on F1, if this gets louder or softer as expected then try one of the other CVs and see if the volume changes on that. Have you tried resetting it by writing CV8 with the value of 8? If the volume still won't change I would suggest contacting Hornby for help.

With thanks to Vivian (cravensdmufan), the class 50 has now been added to the file.

Thanks for the info.

class 66 added to definition download link updated in O.P. Also submitted to JMRI for inclusion in next build

I am looking to update the JMRI TTS sound decoder definitions and add the class 66. I have a list of all the functions but I was missing the labels for F17, F18 and F20. I believe I now have them and have updated the list. If anyone with has the class 66 TTS decoder and could verify the following list and let me know if the list is correct or whether alterations are needed I would be grateful.

Nice Layout but I feel sorry for the passengers on platform 3. No toilets and no way off the platform until the next train arrives, although in the first picture of the second post it does looks like someone is about to jump off platform 2 . I guess that why the men in orange are there, they don't want anyone jumping off and escaping!!

An alternative may be to use conductive paint to link one of the wheels to the axle.

Keep away from the cheaper chips sold by the box shifters etc. Hornby and Bachmann are also worth keeping away from as these have limited CV's that can be altered. Zimo or Lenz decoders may be slightly more expensive and the cheaper bulk buy deals may seem very tempting when first starting out, but in the long run you will grateful you spent a little extra money and bought them especially if you start to want to tweak the decoder settings. You'll not regret buying the powercab, spend time reading the manual - look especially at the section on setting the number of recalls. Out of the factory it is set to 2, but you can change it to a maximum of 6 which make swapping between locos a lot simpler.

Using Anyrail, all the points and crossovers align ok. May just be a glitch in Scarm as both the double slip and crossover are the same dimensions as are the medium and curved points. I noticed on your curves that the track centre distances do not appear to change, depending on the rolling stock you will be using you may need to look at increasing the track centres on the curves to avoid stock clashing. With radius 3 and 4 curves ( approx 20" and 22.5") I find that I need a minimum of 60mm between track centres to allow my longest coaches (Pendolino) to pass without clashing where as on the straight it is normally 51mm with Peco streamline.

Spent a few hours there earlier this evening. If you are thinking of going this weekend you will not be disappointed. The organisers have outdone themselves this year, the selection of layouts for this year is the best of recent years. Nice to see a good selection of O Gauge layouts, my favorite layouts were Mostyn, Cadham bay, 45C Westlands (look for 49002!) and Dalry Road.

It's very disappointing to hear DCC Concepts are having manufacturing difficulties and have no idea when the units will be available again. I'm also going to be looking to expand the number ads8sx units I have as I'm about to start on a new layout. Unfortunately so far I have not been able to source an alternative that can do what the DCC Concepts units can do. The DR4018 can switch 8 points which is great but it has no means to also switch the frog polarity, illuminate LED's for indication or connect a switch for manual control of the points. I am using seep points but I don't want to rely on the built in switch on the solenoid for the frog polarity. Anyone know of a unit that can switch a solenoid motor and switch the frog polarity?

I have been updating the JMRI Hornby TTS decoder Definition over the last 7 months and have regularly updated the OP with the latest version of the file. The last update was in December and all was well. I have now updated the definition to include the Hornby J36 Class 0-6-0 only to find that I can no longer attach new XML files to the post, but the existing XML files attached to the post are still available. The latest file is only 50 kb. Is there a reason XML files are no longer accepted since the software upgrade? I have a temporary solution to allow members to test the files. The original post is here: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/136936-tts-decoders-updated-jmri-decoder-file-j36-class-added/

I have now added the Hornby J36 0-6-0 TTS Decoder to the JMRI Decoder definitions. Unfortunately it appears I can no longer attach XML files to posts or PMs as this file type is no longer accepted. I'll have to look at a way of using another method to allow members to download a copy otherwise it will only be available with the next update of JMRI. I have now added the file as a zip file to google drive. If you would like a copy tpo test it is available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yGZO-PGTiF2F2IaR8Ax7traMlFWmIZe2/view First try at using google drive so please let me know whether you are able to download the file or have issues.

If they are Hornby then it most likely to be the R8249 and with this decoder you can only alter the following CVs 1, 3, 4, 10, 17, 18, 29 so there is no way to limit the top speed and the speed curve cannot be altered using CV's 2, 5 and 6 I would also suggest that if they are Hornby decoders it may be a compatibility issue between the decoders and the EZ Controller especially if the Lenz decoder works ok.

For non sound my standard chip is now the Lenz standard + V1 and V2 for 8 pin locos or the silver + for 21 pin locos. Only ever had one blow and that was my own fault.

Yes it is the same mod although they suggest cutting the track rather than the pass through hole. The speaker is the standard speaker supplied with the decoder, although the housing is a slimline one which has been sealed with black tac. I believe it was purchased from DC kits a few years ago but never used until recently. The speaker was mounted on top of the decoder cover by cutting a larger recess to fit the housing.

The method I used requires no soldering and only requires the use of an oversized drill bit to sever the track to the side of pin 17. This track goes through the PCB to the bottom side. Just position the drill over the hole at the end of the track and twist the drill bit in the fingers whilst pressing down to remove the copper from around the hole. The interior lights can then be switched on and off on the assigned function key. If you need to revert for use with DC then just push a piece of wire through the hole and solder to each side of the PCB. Works with the Loksound V4 Quick video of lighting in action. Apologies done quickly on I-Phone Cab lighting has been linked to F19 and only illuminates in direction of travel. Interior lighting is on F12 No changes to function map of the Loksound v4.0 sounds by Legomanbiffo