Lenz NMRA DCC based Locomotive decoders

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Motor Drive Options
Lighting Effects
New 4 Digit Numbering Methodology
Harness Types
Lenz Decoder chart
Lighting Chart Samples

Digital plus by Lenz NMRA DCC locomotive decoders are designed to fully conform to all NMRA DCC Standards and Recommended Practices. This ensures care free interchange of our locomotive decoders with all other NMRA DCC systems. No excuses, no words designed to confuse, just 100% pure NMRA DCC backed up with NMRA conformance and inspection warrants and the industries best warranty.

We differentiate our locomotive decoders according to the maximum continuous draw of the motor output. While the stall current is an important number if the locomotive motor can actually stall, we have found that most modern locomotives do not stall.  Instead what is important is how much load the motor will place on the decoder during its maximum load. 

Note: Our new Gold and Silver Series have upgraded capacity of Maximum Continuous Amp Motor Load, and Motor Rotor Stall.  They are even up to greater then 5 AMPS, for motor rotor stall. Can't get any better protection then that!!!!

To determine the maximum continuous draw of a locomotive, run the locomotive at 16volts DC and hold back the locomotive as you would if you were cleaning the wheels.  The current draw measured is the maximum continuous current draw.  In general HO locomotives draw less than 1 amp continuous and N scale locomotives draw less the  0.5 amps continuous.

Motor Drive Options

Digital plus by Lenz NMRA DCC decoders all have exceptional motor drive capabilities.  

•    Gold Series and Silver Series

The new Gold Series give the ultimate control with three new technologies from Lenz. These three new technologies offer greater precision control with Uninterruptible Signal Processing (USP), Data transmission (RailCom) and automation (Asymmetrical DCC.) A full description of these technologies can be found on the we site under GOLD Series  Decoder and Technical Information.  The Silver Series has the same motor drive as the GOLD decoder and supports Asymmetrical DCC.

• Ultra-Drive

The LE1835 is a high precision silent back emf decoder with 4 function outputs, independent or directional lighting effects that can be dimmed using a function, advanced consist control, extended addressing, operations mode programming and outstanding 128 step motor control.  The combination of Back EMF and Silent Drive allows for a flawlessly smooth, quiet performance.

• Precision Glide Motor control

Most standard NMRA DCC decoders use what is called pulsed width modulation.  Pulses are sent to the motor and the speed is determined by the number of pulses over time. This can be hard on motors and can also result in excessive noise and lack of really smooth operation, especially at slower speeds. Digital plus by Lenz decoders take this into account by adding a glide cycle to the motor drive circuit.  The result is that our decoders run the motor much smoother, are quieter in operation, and can take much higher motor stall currents than other decoders on the market.

• XS Silent Drive™ Decoders

Silent Drive is a  revolutionary motor control circuit that allows the decoder to operate motors extremely quietly and smoothly. No longer will your motor make noise when you operate on DCC.  To achieve this result you need a motor drive that can operate the motor in excess of  20Khz.  Decoders that operate in excess of 20kHz are also recommended by manufacturers of coreless motors. Our XS decoders operate in excess of 22kHz.

·         Drive-Select™ Decoders

Drive-Select decoders provide user configuration for either Silent Drive for the ultimate quiet drive or Precision Glide Control for smooth low speed operation.  This lets the user select the motor drive type that is best for both the locomotive and user preference.

• Precision Back EMF Load Compensation Motor Control

Back emf is a decoder feature that allows the decoder to adjust the voltage to the motor based on the motor’s load. This provides true prototypical operation at slow speeds and provides the illusion of operating heavy trains. For Ironless Core motors or for installations where exceptionally smooth slow speed operation is desired, we recommend our line of back emf decoders. We are into our fifth generation of back emf control and now pro\vide 12 bit resolution with exceptionally smooth performance.

Lighting Effects

• Standard

Directional lighting only

• Special lighting Effects

Directional lighting plus rule 17 lighting. (now being delivered on all decoder, except the LE1000).

Plug Type Options

NMRA DCC decoders can come with a variety of plug types.  A plug is a device that allows the decoder to be plugged into the locomotive without wiring.  Most modern HO locomotives and a growing number of locomotives in other scales have come equipped with sockets especially designed for NMRA DCC Decoders.  We currently support three different plug types.

NMRA Small plug -  a 6 pin in line plug used in a growing number of N scale locomotives. These connectors are common in Trix and Roco N Scale locomotives.

NMRA Medium plug -  the common 2 pin by 4 pin socket found in many HO and larger scale locomotives

NMRA JST 9 pin socket - used primarily as a connector between the decoder and the locomotive, this connector is also used in locomotives that have wire harnesses instead of circuit boards.  The Athearn 2-8-2 is an example of a locomotive that uses this connector.  Decoders with JST plugs can also be used with a variety of harnesses produced by other manufacturers.  JST equipped decoders are shipped with a variety of harnesses. The harness type is indicated by the following -HT designations

-JST - no harness included
-WH - a 200 mm JST wire harness is included
-MP - a 88mm long JST harness is included with NMRA 8 pin medium plug
 

Model Number Identification For Our 4 digit model number decoders

LE 1234H
The LE prefix is our product designation for locomotive decoders.
Next is a 2 digit number (12) that indicates the maximum continuous current rating for the decoder.  For example, 05 means .5 Amps, 10 means 1 Amp and 40 represents 4 amps.

Following the power rating is a single digit (3) that indicates the decoder drive type.

The first of these numbers is the drive type

Following the drive type is a single digit (4) that  indicates the number of functions and construction type

Following the 4 digits is a single letter which represents the type of harness the decoder is equipped with.

Decoder Comparison Table

Red marked entries = Current Product being produced.
Discontinued decoders are left in the chart since there are may in the market. Detailed description of older decoders can be found here.

	Model Name	Decoder Type	max continuous motor current (A)	Function outputs and maximum load	Motor control	Lighting effects	Dimensions L,W,H (inches) (mm)	Harness  Type	MSRP US$	Software Upgradeable	NMRA Warrant
Current Productions Decoders
	Gold Mini-W	2 sided Micro	0.5 See specs	A and B  each 100mA	GOLD Features Silent Back EMF, USP, Rail Com and Asymmetric DCC	XF &special lighting	smaller then 511    L 0.43" x W 0.35"x H 0.11,  L 11mm x W 9mm x H 2.8 mm (Mini-W)		$54.95	no	submitted
GOLD MINI D	Gold Mini-D	2 Sided Micro with NEM 6 pin plug	0.5 See specs	A and B  each 100mA	GOLD Features Silent Back EMF, USP, Rail Com and Asymmetric DCC	XF &special lighting on 2 functions	L 0.43" x W 0.35"x H 0.13,  L 11mm x W 9mm x H 3.3 mm (Mini-D)	NEM #651 Plugs	$54.95	no	submitted
	Gold Series: GOLD-JST Gold JST-MP, Gold JST-WH	double sided	1 AMP 1.8 Peak	Four on/off function outputs with a current rating of 200 mA each	GOLD Features Silent Back EMF, USP, Rail Com and Asymmetric DCC	XF Effects total Mapping	L 0.91" x W 0.66"x H 0.2"	Medium plug, Wires, and JST	$36.95-$39.95	Yes	submitted
	Gold Series: Gold Maxi	double sided, screw terminals	3amp (see specs)	Eight  on/off function outputs with a current rating of 200 mA each	GOLD Features Silent Back EMF, USP, Rail Com and Asymmetric DCC	XF Effects total Mapping	L 0.91" x W 0.66"x H 0.2"	Screw terminals	$79.95	Yes	submitted
	Silver Series: Silver Mini	2 sided Micro	0.5 See specs	A and B  each 100mA	GOLD Features Silent Back EMF, and Asymmetric DCC	XF &special lighting on 2 functions	L 0.43" x W 0.35"x H 0.13,  L 11mm x W 9mm x H 3.3 mm (Mini-D)	NEM #651 Plugs	$38.95	no	submitted
	Silver Series: Silver-MP	single sided, ultra-thin	1 AMP 1.8 Peak	Four on/off function outputs with a current rating of 100 mA each	Silver features Silent Back EMF, Asymmetric DCC	XF Effects total Mapping	L 0.91" x W 0.66"x H 0.12"   L 23mm x W 16.6mm x H 2.9mm	Medium NMRA Plug,	$31.95	no	submitted
	Silver Series: Silver Direct	single sided, ultra-thin	1 AMP 1.8 Peak	Four on/off function outputs with a current rating of 100 mA each	Silver features Silent Back EMF, Asymmetric DCC	XF Effects total Mapping	L 0.71" x W 0.50"x H 0.14"   L 18mm x W 12.9 mm x H 3.6mm	Embedded PINS for Silver Direct	$35.95	no	submitted
	Silver Series: Silver 21	single sided, ultra-thin	1 AMP 1.8 Peak	Four on/off function outputs with a current rating of 100 mA each	Silver features Silent Back EMF, Asymmetric DCC	XF Effects total Mapping	L 0.82" x W 0.61"x H 0.21"   L 20.8mm x W 15.5 mm x H 5.2mm	On-board socket of 21 pins for NMRA 21 pin equipped locomotives	$35.95	no	submitted
	Standard: Standard MP	single sided,ultra-thin	1 AMP	three on/off function outputs with a current rating of 100 mA each	Back EMF	XF Effects total Mapping	L1.0" x W .61" x H.12" L25mm x W 15.4mm x H3.1mm	NMRA Medium plug	$29.95	no	submitted
	LE1014W, (discontinued)) LE1014 MP LE1014JST (discontinued)	Ultra-thin	1	A, B 100mA;  C 500mA; D 100mA	Drive Select	XF &special lighting	1.3" x .63" x .14" (JST version.25" height)	wires or NMRA medium plug	$22.95 JST version-$19.95	no	6/15/02
	LE1835 MP or W	One-sided, with SUSI Interface	1.8 AMP	A, B 250 mA;  C, D 250mA;	12 bit Back Emf with silent drive with ABC*	XF	0.85",0.65", 0.26"  21.5,  16.5, 6.6 mm	Wire version and NMRA plug Version available	$39.95	no	#04-07)
	LF101XF (NEW) Function only decoder for all scales	one sided	1 Amp	Six on/off function outputs with a current rating of 100 mA each.	no motor drive	XF	0.95" x W 0.47"x H 0.1"   L 24.1mm x W 12mm x H 2.6mm	wires	$22.95	no
Discontinued Decoders
	LE077XF discontinued	2 sided micro size	0.5	A and B  each 100mA	Precision Glide	XF	0.53", 0.39",0.14" 13.4,  9.9, 3.3mm	wires	$24.95	No	99-63
	LE0511W	2 sided micro size	0.5	A and B  each 100mA	Drive Select	XF &special lighting	.52" x.36" x .14"	Wires	$28.95	no	6/15/02
	LE1000-Value Line Decoder	single sided	1 Amp	Directional headlights only	Precision Glide	Headlights only	L 0.9" x W 0.63"x H 0.13"   L 22.9mm x W 16mm x H 3.2 mm	Wire only	LE1000W - MSRP $15.95 LE1000W 2 pack -  MSRP $29.95 (less ten $15.00 a decoder) LE1000W 5 pack -  MSRP $74.50	no	#04-01
	LE1024W LE1024MP	Ultra-thin	1	A, B 100mA;  C 500mA; D 100mA	12 bit Back Emf with spec. lighting effects	XF &special lighting	1.3" x .63" x .14"	wires or NMRA medium plug	$33.95/ $35.95	with JST header	03-02
	LE0521W discontinued	2 sided micro size	0.5	A and B  Directional each 100mA	5th generation Back Emf	XF &special lighting	0.51", 0.36", 0.14" 13.0, 9.1, 3.6mm	wires	$49.95	No	01-2
	LE0521D discontinued	2 sided micro size	0.5	A and B  Directional each 100mA	5th generation Back Emf	XF &special lighting	.51", 0.36", 0.14" with pins	NMRA Small Plug	$49.95	No	01-2
	LE062XF discontinued	single sided board	0.5	A and B,  LED only	Precision	XF		Board for Atlas N Scale SD50/60	$24.95	No	99-13
	LE122 discontinued	bilaterally, discharge, supply equips so long supply	1.2 (*2)	2 related to the direction, 0,À; 1x0,Ä; 1x0,1A	Precision Glide	Standard	1.04", 0.67", 0.26" 26.5, 17, 6.5mm	wires	$59.95	No	99-48
	LE1025 discontinued	2 sided  decoder with JST header	1.0  (* 1)	A, B 100mA;  C 500mA; D 100mA	12 bit Back Emf with spec. lighting effects	XF &special lighting	0.88",0.63", 0.25"  22.5,  16, 6.4mm	NMRA JST 9 pin socket	$31.95-$36.93 depending on harness	Yes	03-02
	LE1035 discontinued	2 sided  decoder with JST header	1.0  (* 4)	A, B 150mA;  C, D 400mA;	12 bit Back Emf with silent drive with ABC*	XF directional lighting	L 1.49" x W 0.69"x H 0.16"   L 37.8mm x W 17.4mm x H 4.2mm	NMRA JST 9 pin socket	$35.95 to $38.95 depending on harness	no
	LE030 discontinued	ultra-thin	0.7	2 - directional; each 100mA	Adjustable Frequency Back Emf	Standard	1.4", 0.45", 0.12" 35.5, 11.5, 3.3 mm	wires	$59.95	No	96-1
	LE080XS discontinued	ultra-thin	0.8	A, B 100mA; C 500mA;  D 100mA	Silent Drive	XF	1.25", 0.67", 0.13" 32, 17, 3.3mm	wires	$34.95	No	99-46
	LE102XF-JST discontinued	single sided	1.0	A, B 100mA;  C 500mA	Precision Glide	XF	1.52", 0.67", 0.13" 40.5, 17, 3.3mm	NMRA JST 9 pin socket	$23.50	No	98-82
	LE103XF discontinued	ultra-thin	1.0	A, B 100mA;  C 500mA	Precision Glide	XF	1.52", 0.67", 0.13" 40.5, 17, 3.3mm	wires	$24.95	No	98-82
	LE104XF discontinued	ultra-thin	1.0	A, B 100mA; C 500mA	Precision Glide	XF	1.52", 0.67", 0.13" 40.5, 17, 3.3mm	NMRA Medium plug	$29.95	No	98-82
	LE113XF-JST discontinued	2 sided XF decoder	1.0	A, B 100mA;  C 500mA; D 100mA	Precision Glide	XF	0.87", 0.63", 0.25" 22.6, 16, 6.3mm	NMRA JST 9 pin socket	$27.50	No	01-3
	LE135 discontinued	2 sided	1.3	F0, related to the direction, for each 200mA, F1 500mA	Adjustable Frequency Back Emf	Standard	1.12", 0.83", 0.22" 28.4, 21, 5.5mm	NMRA Medium plug	$79.95	No
	LE230 discontinued	2 sided	2.5  (* 1,*3)	2 directional controlled by F0 each 300mA, F1 500mA, F2-f6 100mA	Adjustable Frequency Back Emf	Standard	2.75", 1.2", 0.35" 70, 30, 12mm	screw connections/ 8 pin harness for functions	$84.00	no	97-1
	LE4024 discontinued	One sided	4	4 functions spec. lighting effects	12 bit Back Emf with spec. lighting effects	XF &special lighting	2.8, 1.2", .41" 70mm, 30mm, 10.5mm	screw terminals	$69.95	n0	03-03
	LF100XF Function only decoder for all scales	one sided	1 Amp	Four on/off function outputs with a current rating of 150 mA each.	no motor drive	XF	0.95" x W 0.47"x H 0.1"   L 24.1mm x W 12mm x H 2.6mm	wires	$22.95	no	#02-03

(* 1) motor  output overload-protected
(* 2) specially designed for locomotives with field coil motors
(* 3) for multi-motor locomotives with a maximum continuous current draw greater than 2,Ä The LP 200 is designed to operate a second motor as a slave controlled by the LE230
(*4) Adjustable precision stopping control

Copyright Lenz Agency and Lenz GmbH 2006