LS100/110 Accessory Decoder

The accessory decoders LS100/LS110 are the links between the DIGITAL plus system and the accessory devices (e.g. turnouts, signals, uncoupling ramps, etc.) on your model railroad.

Please select from the following

• General Information
• Features
• Details for the properties of the different output modes
• Connectors of the Accessory Decoder LS110
• Connecting the LS110 to the Power Station and to an external power supply
• Connecting Accessories
• Programming the Address and the Output Modes
• Programming the LS100/LS110 to its default setting by hardwiring
• Return to Accessory Decoder Index | Lenz GmbH home page

General Information

• The accessory decoder receives the commands send by the central command station through the power module and, for example, controls the switch machines on your turnouts (or the other devices). The commands are initiated from your input devices, such as the Basic Hand Held LH100, the Tower Cab LW100, the Computer Interface LI100 or the command station converter module LC100 (in connection with an Arnold or Märklin Digital system).
• The accessory decoder LS100/LS110 are equipped with 4 outputs, with 3 terminals (+,C,-) each. These outputs can be connected to 4 twin-coil switch machines (or twin-coil actuators for your signals).

Return to index | Lenz GmbH home page

Features of the accessory decoder LS100/LS110

The special features of the accessory decoder LS100/LS110 include the choice of an external power supply and the possibility to individually program each output to different modes. Each of the outputs can be set to continuous or momentary action with variable pulse length or to a flashing mode. They allow the direct connection of bulbs or LED's without additional relays.

The maximum voltage of the external power supply is 16 volts AC or DC.

The maximum current rating is

Return to index | Lenz GmbH home page

Details for the properties of the different output modes

Momentary output, retriggerable:

• Momentary outputs work like a push-button control. The output is switched on (active) for at least as long as you press for example the button '+' on the Hand Held unit. The time that the output stays active after you release the button - called pulse duration - can be programmed. The pulse duration is stored in numerical form, where 1 is app. 0.1 seconds and 15 app. 15 seconds. Retriggerable refers to the fact, that if you press the button again while the output is still active because the pulse duration has not expired, the timer is started again. Therefore, the output stays active for another pulse duration.

Momentary output, not retriggerable:

• In this mode, the pulse duration is programmable as explained above, except that the timer is not restarted if the output gets activated again during the pulse duration. The output is switched off (inactive) after one pulse duration has expired.
• The correct programming of the pulse duration is especially important for slow-motion switch machine motors. You can program the time the motor needs to throw the turnout. The output of the accessory decoder stays active for this time, while you are able to control other turnouts at the same time.

Continuous output:

• Continuous mode works like a single-pole, single-throw toggle switch. Pressing the '+' button activates the + terminal on the selected output. The terminal stays active until the - terminal of the output is activated by pressing the '-' button. Therefore, one side of any output in the continuous mode is always active, the output behaves like a toggle switch. A small example will explain this feature further:
• The red bulb of a signal is connected to the + side of an output, the green indicator to the - side of the same output. Pressing the '+' button will illuminate the red light of the signal, indicating 'stop'. Pressing the '-' button switches off the red light and activates the green bulb, indicating 'proceed'. If you are using light signals, no additional relays are necessary to connect the bulbs or LED's to the accessory decoder.
• Generally, activating the - terminal of an output will deactivate the + terminal. This is true independent of the output being programmed as a continuous or a momentary output, and independent of the programmed pulse duration on a momentary output. Vice versa, the same holds for activating the + terminal and the status of the - terminal of an output.

Flashing:

• In this modus, the + and - terminals of an output are activated and deactivated with a frequency of app. 1 Hertz. The + terminal stays active for 0.5 seconds, then the LS100/LS110 accessory decoder activates the - terminal for the same duration, and the sequence starts all over.
• The flashing modus is usable for illuminating the crossing lights at a road crossing.
• The frequency of the flashing is fixed to 1 Hertz and cannot be changed.

In addition to these features, the accessory decoder LS100 can send the position of the connected turnouts to the Command Station LZ100 through the Feedback bus.

Please remember when programming the unit, that several of the outputs might be active at the same time, depending on the pulse duration in momentary mode or continuous mode. The maximum permissible current draw of the connected accessories through the accessory decoder is 3 A.

Return to index | Lenz GmbH home page

The Connectors of the Accessory Decoder LS110

The terminals marked with the symbol supply the decoder internal negative potential. These terminals are needed for programming and to connect to external track contacts.

The Power Station LV100 is connected to the terminals J and K. The cable connected to these points supplies the commands to the decoder. The cable should be a twisted pair.

The terminals with the AC symbol('~') are for connecting a 16 Volts AC power supply. This supply powers the accessory decoder and the accessories themselves. Since the accessories are powered from the external supply, they do not use the 'expensive' digital power. If necessary, it is possible to use the digital power instead.

The three pole terminals labeled 'Ausgang 1' to 'Ausgang 4' (German for 'Output 1' to 'Output 4') are connected to the accessories.

Return to index | Lenz GmbH home page

Connecting the LS110 to the Power Station and to an external power supply

Before connecting your accessory decoder LS110 to the DIGITAL plus components and the power supply, the DIGITAL plus system and the power supply should be switched off (Please disconnect the power line plugs).

There are 2 possibilities for connecting the LS110: With or without separate power supply.

Connecting with an separate power supply:

• As shown in figure 2 (left), connect the terminals J and K on the LS110 decoder to the corresponding terminals on the Power Station LV100. Connect the '~' terminals to a 16V AC power supply.

Connecting without a separate power supply:

• Figure 3 (right) shows this variant for connecting the LS110. The '~' terminals are wired in parallel to the terminals J and K on the LV100. The current for switching the accessories is taken from the digital supply, thus reducing the total power available

Return to index | Lenz GmbH home page

Connecting the Accessories

Connecting twin-coil switch machines:

The common terminal (2) of both coils is wired to the terminal 'C'. The wire from coil number 1 (1) is connected to the '+' terminal; the wire from the coil 2 (3) is connected to the '-' terminal. Depending on the wiring of the switch machine, this will result in a specific route upon activation of the '+' contact, for example 'diverging'. In order to adjust the route to your preference, you may exchange the wires leading to the '+' and '-' terminals.

The following table gives the color codes for some (European) manufactures of twin-coil switch machines with respect to the numbering in figure 4.

Connecting Signals with Bulbs or LED's:

• If you are using light signals with bulbs or LED's, you can program the outputs of the LS110 for continuous mode. The bulbs or the LED's (with a current limiting resistor) can be connected directly to the output of the LS110. Using an external AC power supply ensures that the digital power station is not overloaded.
• Information on the programming of the different modes of the LS110 is given in the chapter "Programming the LS110" on page 11.
• Connecting a signal with bulbs or LED's to the LS110 is shown in figure 4, upper and lower left hand corner, respectively.

Important:

• When connecting LED's, please be advised that the terminal 'C' is on positive potential. Therefore, the cathode of the LED's has to be connected to the '+' and '-' contacts.
• In order to operate LED's of the outputs of the LS110, a current limiting resistor has to be used. Please check for this resistor in your brand of signals.
• In case there is no current limiting resistor included with your signal, a resistor of 1.5 kOhm should be used with a 16V AC power supply. If the diodes are not bright enough, decrease the value of the resistor (1 kOhm), if the diodes are too bright, increase the value of the resistor. In figure 4, the resistor is labeled 'R'.

Connecting a slow-motion turnout motor:

• The adapter LA010 is necessary to connect a slow-motion turnout motor to the LS110, as shown in figure 4, lower right hand side. This adapter changes the polarity at the motor terminals for the correct sense of rotation.
• The use of this adapter precludes complicated circuitry with relays to power the slow-motion turnout motors.
• For use with a slow-motion turnout motor, the output should be programmed to momentary action and the pulse duration should be set so that the motor is rotating until it reaches the end position.
• Information about the programming is given in the following section.

Return to index | Lenz GmbH home page

Programming the Address and the Output Modes

The following section explains the programming of the accessory decoder LS100 and LS110. The difference between the two models is the added feedback with the LS100. This difference does not influence the programming of the decoder.

First of all, you have to decide which number to assign to the accessory decoder, the address of the accessory decoder has to be programmed. In the second step, the features of the outputs are determined.

Explanation of the turnout addresses

The LS100/LS110 is always programmed for a group of 4 turnout addresses. These are for example the numbers 1 to 4, 5 to 8, 9 to 12, up to 253 to 256. It is not possible to program a single LS100/LS110 unit to the numbers 3, 4, 5, and 6, since these numbers belong to 2 different groups.

The default settings for the accessory decoder LS100/LS110

The LS100/LS110 is programmed for the turnout numbers 1 to 4 before shipping. The outputs are set to Momentary Action with the shortest possible pulse duration. This setting of the output is called the default setting.

Return to index | Lenz GmbH home page

Programming the LS100/LS110 to its default setting by hardwiring

• This method can be used to program the LS100/LS110 to a specific turnout address without using the programming output of the Command Station. Simultaneously, the output mode is set to its default value, Momentary Action with the shortest possible pulse duration.
• This method is useful whenever special settings for the output mode are not necessary and the accessory decoder has to be set to a different address while already installed on the layout.

At this point, it is assumed that the Command Station, the Hand Held and the Power Station are correctly set up (see the manuals for these units).

1. Please turn off the track voltage and the supply voltage to the LS100/LS110 (remove the wires).
2. Using a short piece of wire, please connect the + terminal with the terminal, as shown in figure 5.
3. Please connect the terminals J, K and ~ on the LS100/LS110 to the track output of the power station LV100.
4. Please turn on the track power.
   Remark: Figure 5 shows the LS110. With the LS100, all the connection are identical.
5. On the Hand Held LH100 select the modus 'switch turnout' (press F, 5). Enter one of the 4 turnout addresses that the LS100/LS110 should be programmed to. Confirm the number by pressing 'Enter'. Press the '+' or '-' button on the Hand Held.

This last step triggers the LV100 to send the switch command through the track output. This command includes the turnout address, which is read by the accessory decoder and stored in memory at location 1. At the same time, all the outputs are programmed to Momentary Action, minimum pulse duration. Please switch off the track voltage and remove the wire connecting the + terminal of output 1 with the terminal.

The allocation of the memory locations

• The address and the output mode are written to different memory locations of the LS100/LS110. The values are stored even after switching off the power and can be changed at any time.
• The LS100/LS110 has six memory locations, which are used as follows:

Table 1: Memory allocation

• The value in memory location 1 determines the address, the 'number' corresponding to the connected accessory.
• Memory location 2 is reserved for future applications. Please do not change the value. If you should accidentally change the value at this location, please reset the LS100/LS110 to its default settings as described in the previous section.
• The values in memory location 3 to 6 determine the modes of the outputs. The values necessary for the different modes are given in table 2, and are identical for the four outputs.

Table 2: Output modes.

Different values than the ones shown are not allowed and lead to spurious results.

The pulse duration is determined by the following values:

Table 3: Programming the pulse duration.

Return to index | Lenz GmbH home page

Connecting the LS100/LS110 to the Programming Output of the Command Station

• Since the accessory decoder is programmed using the Programming Output of the Command Station, it is advisable to perform the set up before installation.
• To set the addresses and output modes, you will need the Command Station LZ100, a Hand Held LH100, and a power supply with an output of 16V AC to supply the LZ100. The LS100/LS110 is set up using the Programming Output of the Command Station LZ100.
• Please connect the terminals J and K and the terminals for the AC power of the LS100/LS110 to the Programming Output (Terminals P and Q) on the Command station LZ100, as shown in figure 6.

Programming the turnout addresses

• For this example, we assume you want to program the LS100/LS110 to the turnout addresses 9, 10, 11, and 12.
• Select the Programming Mode as described in the manual for the system or the Hand Held LH100.
• Select memory location 1 to be programmed, since this is the location for the address in the LS100/LS110 (see table 1).
• Enter one of the 4 turnout addresses on the LH100. In this example, you could enter 9, or 10, or 11, or 12.
• Confirm the programming by pressing the 'Enter' - button. The LS100/LS110 is now programmed to the turnout addresses 9 to 12. Output 1 is addressed 9, output 2 is addressed 10, and so forth.

Programming the Output Mode

• The following example demonstrates the programming of the output mode for output 1 of the LS100/LS110. The procedure is identical for the outputs 2, 3 and 4, except for the different memory location.
• Connect the accessory decoder to the Programming Output of the Command station as described above and shown in figure 6. Select the Programming Mode on the Hand Held.
• Select the memory location 3. This memory location stores the mode of output 1 (see table 1).
• Example 1: Momentary Output, shortest pulse duration:
  As you can see in table 2 and 3, the value stored in memory is the number 1, which you should enter on the Hand Held and confirm by pressing the 'Enter' - button.
• Example 2: Continuous Output:
  Please enter the number 32 on the Hand Held LH100 (see table 2). Confirm the programming by pressing 'Enter'.
• By entering different values according to table 3, different properties can be programmed.

Return to index | Lenz GmbH home page

Copyright 1995-2001 by Lenz Elektronik, GmbH. All Rights Reserved
This page was designed by Debbie Ames, owner tttrains