Size:
Height = 6.2", Width = 2.6", Depth = 0.9" Size: Height = 157mm, Width = 65mm, Depth = 22mm
Size:
Height = 6.2", Width = 2.6", Depth = 0.9"
Size: Height = 157mm, Width = 65mm, Depth = 22mm
Visit our new LH100 Virtual Guide for a complete LH100 Tour!
The LH100 keypad based dispatchers throttle is a universal input device for all DIGITAL plus system and is compatible with all XpressNET based systems. You can control your motive power, program locomotive and accessory decoders, throw turnouts activate uncoupling ramps or set signals, determine and program the system properties, or check the status of feedback encoders and accessory decoders with feedback An easy to read LCD display provides an easy to read indication of both the locomotive you are operating as well as the current speed and function status.
Naturally the LH100 with version 2.1 software works on command stations with older software, (e.g. version 1.5), but if you want to use the new features of version 2.1, such as programming or 28 speed steps, the Command Station LZ100 has to be equipped with software version 2.2 or higher.
This page describes version 2.1 for the LH100. Version 3.0 will add many new features such as support for all 4 digit locomotive addresses, 128 speed steps, operations mode programming, advanced consisting, support for functions F0-F8 and much more.
The
LH100 when used with Version 2.3 of the LZ100 has been tested by
the NMRA for conformance to its DCC Standards and Recommended Practices and has earned an
NMRA conformance warrant.
Please select from the following
Version 2.1 Update
Operating the LH100
Display of the LH100
Operating the LH100
Programming Methods
Decoder Programming
Programming Procedure
What are Configuration Variables?
LH100 Manual in PDF Format
The walk around control / programming cab LH100 is now delivered with software version 2.1. Added features include 28 steed- steps, and improved internal code. All NMRA DCC compatible decoders can currently be fully programmed with Version 2.1.
If you are using an older version, please see your Lenz dealer for an upgrade.
This is one of the most important of the new features. It allows you to save the number of throttle notches for each locomotive address in the Command Station LZ100.
The number of throttle notches depends on the locomotive decoder. DIGITAL plus decoders can be used with 14 or 27 notches. DIGITAL plus decoders of the newest generation conform to the recommended practice of the NMRA and have 28 throttle notches.
If you are using other, compatible decoders check their manual or inquire with the manufacturer.
The operation of the LH100 has been improved. It now supports all programming modes as described in NMRA RP-9.2.3
The LH100 automatically determines if a decoder that implements Direct CV mode according to the NMRA-Recommended Practice is connected to the programming output and indicates the most important settings stored in the decoder.
In response to many requests from our customers, we have introduced the option of using either the German or the English language on the display.
Before you can operate a locomotive from your LH100, the locomotive has to be selected.
Systems Index | DIGITAL plus by Lenz Home PageThe address for the locomotive that you want to operate has to be entered on the keypad of the LH100. This selects the locomotive. All addresses from 0 to 99 are allowed. The address 0 is reserved for conventional locomotives. (locomotives without digital decoders)
The direction is locomotive specific. For example, a regular steam locomotive will move with the funnel to the front, independent of which direction the locomotive is pointing on the track.
If the locomotive is on throttle 00, the direction changes every time you press this key.
The hexagonal key has another function, too, it is a locomotive specific emergency stop.
If the locomotive runs at a throttle setting larger than 00, pressing the hexagonal key
will lead to an emergency brake application for this locomotive.
Keep the key
pressed until the locomotive starts to brake. At this point, release the key, and the
locomotive will stop immediately without the programmed momentum.
The second key press on this key will change the direction, as indicated in the display.
Using the accessory functions of the locomotive decoder
All DIGITAL plus decoder are equipped with a direction dependent accessory control, function 0. In most cases, this function will control the headlight(s) of the locomotive.
You can switch the function 0 on and off using the key '0'.
Operating more than one locomotive from a LH100
After you have sent a command to e.g. locomotive 24 using the LH100, you can select another locomotive as described above.
The locomotive 24 is continuing according to the last command, which is stored in the decoder and the Command Station, until it is selected again and a different command is send.
After sending a command to the second locomotive, you can select a third one, etc..
This feature of the digital system enables you to operate up to 100 locomotives from one LH100. A second LH100 is only necessary if you want to operate several locomotives simultaneously. The number of locomotives running on your layout is independent from the number of LH100's.
Switching between two locomotive addresses
The Hand Held LH100 is equipped with two memory locations for locomotive addresses. The 'ESC' key toggles between these two memory locations and the addresses contained in them.
For example: You have selected the locomotive 24. The address for this locomotive is now stored in one of the two memory locations.
Pressing the 'ESC' key toggles the display to the second memory location, containing for example the address 22. If you know want to control the locomotive at address 78, press the 'Cl' key, enter the address 78 and confirm by pressing 'Enter'.
The 'ESC' key will toggle between the addresses 24 and 78 from now on. When the 'Cl' key is pressed, the address in the display will be erased, the second address will be retained.
Taking over a locomotive from another LH100
A locomotive selected on one LH100 can be taken over by a second LH100. When the locomotive is selected on the second LH100, all the information on this locomotive will be blinking on the first LH display.
If you do not want to take control of this locomotive from the second LH100, but want to observe the current operational status, repeated pressing of the 'Enter' key will update the displayed information. If for example the throttle setting is changed from the first LH100, it will be shown on the second display.
You can take control of the locomotive to your LH100 by pressing one of the following keys:
The locomotive operation mode during an emergency condition
You can send commands to a locomotive during an emergency condition.
Press the 'ESC' key while the "Off/On" message is displayed. The LH100 will switch to the locomotive operation mode and the display will switch to the last locomotive selected. You can now change all operational data of that locomotive, or select a different locomotive. Every time you are pressing the 'ESC' key while the emergency condition has not been reset, the message will "Off/On" appear as a reminder.
Systems Index | DIGITAL plus by Lenz Home PageYour DIGITAL plus System implements many different methods to program your decoder. This was done to allow you to program ALL decoders on the market. The various forms are Direct CV mode, Register Mode, and Paging Mode. If your decoder supports indexing, this can be accomplished using Register Mode (see your decoder manual for details).
In order to make programming as convenient as possible to the user, your Digital plus
System will automatically convert from Direct CV mode to Register mode for the most common
CVs. For this reason we suggest you start with direct CV mode if you are uncertain which
mode your decoder supports.
Programming of the Digital Decoders is performed electronically when the decoder is installed in the locomotive - no access is required. The loco is placed initially on an isolated 'programming' track after the decoder is installed. This allows testing of the decoder installation under low power and it will indicate if it is properly installed in the loco before full power is applied (which in case of an installation error would damage the decoder). It is of the utmost importance that you check your decoders installation first on the programming track.
The Programming Track can be any isolated piece of track. Please review the application note detailing a suggested arrangement. If the programming track is part of your layout, both rails must be isolated by gaps from the layout. It is recommended that you feed this section of track though a 'three position' double pole double throw (DPDT) switch. One position of the switch is connected to the system track power while the other position is connected to the programming terminal of the command station. This allows you to cut off power to both rails when the switch is in the center position. Locomotives should always be placed on the track before you apply power.
While the LZ100 is in the programming mode, the normal operation on the layout is halted!
Systems Index | DIGITAL plus by Lenz Home PageThe specific features of a locomotive decoder, an accessory decoder or a feedback encoder in the DIGITAL plus System can be customized by the user. These features can be read, displayed and/or changed by the LH100 as often as you want and once changed they retain their new value until changed again. The reason this is possible is that each of these settings is stored in the decoder in its internal memory. Customizing a particular decoder is called programming. The specific decoders memory locations that can be set or read by the user are called Configuration Variables, or CVs. This section will describe methods for using the LH100 to read and write these decoder CVs.
In 1996 the National Model Railroad Association completed a Recommended Practice that describes how DCC Command Stations should program decoders. The DIGITAL plus System Version 2.1 is the first commercial system that fully implements all aspects of this RP and has earned the NMRA Conformance Warrant.
Digital plus System 2.1 also implements Safe Programming. Safe Programming means
that low current power is only applied to the programming track when you are actually
performing a programming operation. At other times no power is sent to the programming
track. This is a much safer form of programming because if you have mistakenly wired your
decoder, Safe Programming will normally protect your decoder from being harmed. For this
reason we always recommend you take all locomotives to the programming track to check them
out each time you alter the decoder installation.
The combination of Safe Programming and compliance to RP-9.2.3 means that you will be able to program all NMRA DCC decoders from any manufacturer with your DIGITAL plus 2.1 system.
Systems Index | DIGITAL plus by Lenz Home PageThe NMRA (National Model Railroad Association) is an organization of model railroaders, mainly based in North America, and is the largest organization of its kind world wide. Independent expert members of the NMRA developed a Recommended Practice (a form of a standard) for digital command control, based on an early version of the DIGITAL plus System. Among other features, this Recommended Practice advises on the use of different memory locations in locomotive decoders. These memory locations store the properties of the locomotive decoder. (For example the address or the momentum setting) In this recommended practice, the memory locations are called "Configuration Variable, CV". For example, the address of the locomotive decoder is stored in CV 1, the momentum setting in CV 3. More information on specific CV assignments is given in the manuals supplied with the decoder.
IMPORTANT:
On the LH100 you can program all memory locations to values from 0 to 255. These values will be programmed into the decoder. Ensure that the value you are using is within the range of allowed values for the decoder! This information can be found in the information for the decoder. For example, you could program a locomotive decoder for the address 127. Subsequently, you will not be able to address that locomotive decoder anymore, since the range of allowed addresses for a locomotive decoder using the DIGITAL plus System is only 0 to 99 !
Systems Index | DIGITAL plus by Lenz Home PageCopyright 1995-2001 by Lenz Elektronik, GmbH. All Rights Reserved