Hi everyone,

Hope there is someone out there who has some experience with iTrain PC software that might be able to help.

The Problem:
The CS2 S88 Link is reading all feedback signals in correctly. But the iTrain software is reading only the first three modules correctly and fails to read the last two modules. Is there anyone who would have experience with iTrain to be able to provide me with troubleshooting this problem? At this point I do not know if the problem is caused either by the software or by the CS2. I have communicated this problem with the iTrain forum, posted earlier today.

CS2:
The CS2 is using the Marklin CANBUS with the S88 Link. There are three S88's daisy chained together on BUS 2 and one S88 on BUS 1. There are a total of 80 feedback inputs. On the CS2 Layout tab, I created 80 feedback contacts so to visually monitor if the contacts are working. They work, regardless of the CS2 being connected to the PC or not.

Cycle time Bus 1 = 167 ms
Cycle time Bus 2 = 167 ms
Activation Time = 100 ms
S88 interval = 220 ms
S88 Query Interval = 100 ms

iTrain:
The Feedback information was created as described in the iTrain manual: following procedures in Appendix D, page 197 for Marklin (Link + GFP3). I tried to reset the Link S88 several times adding one S88 at a time and checking the feedback monitor. Same results. Also I tried to move the S88 from Bus 1 to Bus 2, makes no difference in iTrain, always get same result. I have worked on this problem for a month, searching forums for anyone who has the same problem, but I have not found the answer. It's time to find some help.
S88 Bus = (Link + GFP3)
S88 Link #2.0 (16) works in Feedback Monitor
S88 Link #2.1 works in Feedback Monitor
S88 Link #2.2 works in Feedback Monitor
S88 Link #2.3 fails in Feedback Monitor
S88 Link #2.M fails in Feedback Monitor
Activation Time = 200 ms
Channel Interval = 1000 ms
Feedback Switch On delay = 100 ms
Feedback Switch Off delay = 500 ms

Hope there is someone who can help.
Thank you,
Peter
Marklin Nut

Hi Peter,

I am using iTrain with a CS3 and a Link88 and a number of S88 at home and in my modeltrainclub, without any problems.

Did you remember to increase the number of S88 modules in the Connection setup where the connection to the CS2 is defined.

I think that a too low number there could explain what you see.

Have a nice day.

Best regards

Per

Hi everyone,

Today I looked into the problem deeper trying to figure out how iTrain is reading the CS2 S88 Link feedback modules.


After some trial and error, I came to the conclusion that the last two S88 modules on each bus fails to be recognized by iTrain feedback monitor. I increased

the number of S88 from 6 to 8 in the CS2 (there are four S88 total not including the S88 Link). It made no difference to the results. I changed around the

S88 modules on each bus, making sure the addresses changed with the module, and the results were always the same. Two phantom lines appeared in the

iTrain feedback monitor, one that is sensing the last S88 on Bus 1 and the other for the last S88 on Bus 2. As for the CS2, all feedback sensors worked as

expected.


Is there a way to reset the S88 Link? I tried setting Bus 1 & Bus 2 in the CS2 to zero and then add one S88 at a time, but it made no difference. Any

suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,
Peter

The 16 input on the Link88 can be configured as normal input (#2.0 (16) ) with 16 possibilities or as a matrix (#2.M (64) with 64 possibilities.
I guess that this is the explanation.
Best regards
Per