Hi all,

I stumbled into a few issues with some recent Roco AC trains trying to change address and general configurations.

First off I use Marklin CS2 60214. For track format I use Mfx/MM. When adding a new train to my database I always keep the layout empty and uses the programming track unless it's a mfx loco.

On my past Roco purchases I have always been able to change address and other speed configurations using the programming track and of course knowing the default MM address (normally 03).

On my recent purchase a DSB MY (58615) I was unable to change the address. So instead I decided to first try and change track format in CS 2 to DCC and then change the address on the programming track. This worked ok.

I then delete locomotive from my CS2 list and change back to Mfx/mm track format on CS 2 and I can control the loco well with the new address.

However when I now try to change e.g. max speed (on programming track), it does say it successfully read the data to decoder, but physically nothing has happened at all.

So iam wondering if iam doing something wrong here? Should I also change all cv settings in DCC format before switching over or is there any other solution?

What is the preferred method to change address on a Roco AC train and speed parameters?

PS: when I change any parameters while the train is on programming track (and data being read to decoder) and CS2 in DCC mode the engine makes really strange noises and try to move in small step...

Brgds Lasse

Hi!
When the controller reads CV values from the decoder, the decoder will activate the motor for a short period (several short pulses, depending on the CV value). Same thing happens when a CV is written (just one pulse). This is absolutely normal for DCC programming on a programming track.

Four CVs are used for the address of the loco and when you change the address, the CS2 has to read at least one CV to make sure everything is consistent.

For MM programming the CS2 supports the pattern developed by ESU.
This may not work for locos with decoders from Zimo (Roco) or Uhlenbrock (Piko, older Roco).

I strongly recommended using DCC to program and control locos that support DCC.
This way you also get more speed steps and more functions per loco.

I only use DCC addresses above 255 as problems may occur, as Ray mentioned, when addresses below 256 are used for both MM and DCC.

Thanks for info guys,

As iam not quite ready to take the leap and run all my loco in DCC format, do you think it would be possible to configure the speed characteristics in DCC format using the CS2 and fine tune the engine as you like and then afterwards change back to mFx/mm format.

There is no decoder table in the manual so Iam not even sure what cv's to play around with - hence why I would prefer to configure using simple CS2 menu rather than having to access the actual cv menu and change the bit numbers.

Brgds Lasse

PS: it's probable a stupid question but I assume you can't have the CS2 in track format "auto" and then run silmountanous engines that are both in DCC and mFx/mm decoder format?

But Märklin like others digital producer recommend you set one protocol for best communication with the digital system.
That´s way i only use DCC protocol which is fine for me and only use it.
Roco present Zimo sound decoder which there is DCC and MM protocol.
But they recommend one protocol to use and those who use Roco AC locomotives use DCC protocol.

Hi all,

So iam in progress of uploading my locos on my new CS3.

So far no issues with Mfx loco.

I have now started working on my non Marklin loco with dcc decoders and hope someone who is also using CS3 can assist.

To make everything simple I have no other locos on the tracks. The CS3 is set for only DCC and a Roco loco with Zimo decoder (MY 1107) is on the programming track.

I then go in edit mode and since I already know the address I can control it.

I want to change simple CV like max and min speed and acceleration and braking as well as the sound volume.

First questions:

On CS2 there was compulsory field to specify how many speed levels to use with the DCC decoders. Can't find that option on CS3?

When changing the above settings do you use the menu setup or the menu configuration? Assume you would have to use the configuration menu but is the simpler setup menu also meant to work for DCC (or only for MM and mfx)?

When I try to change the CV in configuration and add new CV (like total sound volume) nothing happens when I click write to programming track?

On CS2 it was quite apparent when you would start writing to decoder - on CS3 it's a bit more unknown as when you are configuring mfx it will immediately save the settings?

When configuring CV there is some quite complicated CV like no.29. At the moment the loco is working fine and don't really want to change anything on CV29. When you create a new DCC loco it's automatically created on the default list. Can you just leave it blank or will it then overwrite any previous setting? Or can you just remove it from the configuration list.

Is there no option to load all the present CV settings as received from new to the configuration list or do you always have to create you own list based on documentation from the manufacture? Or will the function read address also retrieve all the CV present CV values.

Brgds Lasse

Hi Jabez,

I have not come across such requirements on any of my Roco locomotives and surprised any newer locomotives would be fitted in that way.

Brgds Lasse

To make things simple, just remove all decoders from the programming track. Locos and accessory decoders on the main track do not have to be removed.

I know how to do it with a CS2 (and you also already know that). Process should be somewhat similar with a CS3.

Hi all,

I have now been digging deeper into CS3 and writing CV to both DCC and MM.

Either I got a faulty CS3 or there is some serious software issues (iam using the latest available update).

In CS3 there is 2 menus. The setup where you can enter min/max speed etc and the configuration menu where you can see the corresponding CV.

I just played around with a Roco locomotive with MM format on the programming track and this what I have observed so far:

Sometimes it will not accept a CV value that has been used previously. Only after several attempts and exiting the edit menu can you succeed.

On one loco I could not increase max speed in interval more than 20. If you write e.g. 255 from an old value of 150 it will not accept. Similiar when you try and go from a high to low value, if the jump is to high it wont update the values.

The configuration page will say CV read error (the light will flash ok) after writing to programming track, but after exiting the edit menu and going back into configuration list all CV has been updated (target and actual) to what you were trying to program.

Occasional the max speed will go to 0 in setup page while in configuration list it will keep the old actual values.

There is something very fishy going on and I feel I better keep my project on hold until a new software updates comes along. But of course interested in hearing from other CS3 users that have tried CV programming with either DCC or MM format (non Mfx format).

Ps: feel free to copy above observation into other post regarding CS3 issues if other users can confirm similiar problem.

Brgds Lasse

Ps. A so far disappointed CS3 users

Edited by user 07 April 2017 20:36:13(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

With Uhlenbrock decoders I keep DCC on and set all other protocols off.
Using DCC addresses > 255 practically disables other protocols like MM or SX with modern ESU decoders anyway.

Your general advice is good: it can help to have only one active protocol in the decoder.
But often this is not needed if you avoid having duplicate addresses.

A new Roco locomotive most likely has a Zimo decoder. I don't know how easily they can be modified using a CS3. I think that in Motorola format, you can access F0-F4 in basic mode and F5-F8 if you activate the second Motorola address function.

If you have a MFX decoder, you may be able to access F0-F8 directly.

The Roco locomotive decoder manual should list the functions and CV values. I know my Re 4/4IIs do not let you choose the Swiss light changeover in MM mode. You have to be able to access extended functions for that.

On my Roco ICN, I enabled the second Motorola address and it scrambled the functions, so I am getting the wrong announcements for some functions. I hope that it will reset when I disactivate that mode or I will have to do a complete decoder reset.

Regards

Mike C

MM supports 5 functions per address, DCC supports 16383 functions per address.
There is no "official" procedure for loco programming with MM protocol, there is an NMRA standard for DCC programming.

I'm with Peter here: Why is DCC disabled? DCC would be the solution, MM is the problem.

On the controller you specify which protocols are active. But the priorities of the protocols are defined by the decoders. And ESU decoders have other priorities than Märklin decoders.

Most non-Märklin decoders give the same priority to MM and DCC. And you get erratic behaviour if a single address is registered in the controller for both protocols and there are decoders with that address that obey both protocols.

Many decoders allow to disable specific protocols.

I am also using Märklin's CS2 to program and control all my trains, including all the newly bought 2R DCC models. However, after updating my CS2, a lot of functions have gone away, I can not program sucessfully, and trains move by themselves. Some of the menus in the CS2 are now in German. The first update was via USB-stick. I did a second update via ethernet-cable. It helped a little, but some menus are still in German, and I can not change addresses or adjust sound volume. Oj, oj.