I'll bring you some function possibilities with either Lok[pilots or Sound decoders.

Lokpilots can be bought as a multiprotocol decoder and this enables you to use different digital systems

the Lokpilot short for Lopi has the following functions

Stop forwards
Stop reverse
Drive forward
Drive reverse
Forward F0
Reverse F0
F1 - F4

Under Function 1 & 2 you can add the Auxillary Function 1 & 2
F 3 = Shunting mode
F 4 = Acceleration & Brakingmode

with an adapterplate (51968) you can also use F 3 & F 4 and add Aux Function 3 & 4.

The adapterplate has to be used in conjunction with a 21 pin decoder.

There are several specific settings you can achieve with a Lopi and here are some:

For instance you have a siding and also build into the siding a braking module.

What you do normally is set the sopeed and braking dealy so your loco stops just in front of the signal
The added bonus you have with a new setting perimeter, wheras you can set the distance,
this setting enables you regardless of speed or the braking delay and your loco will always stop in front of the signal.
A very handy tool to have especially when you have freight and passenger trains entering the same siding, a freightloco can travell at 40km/h and an expresstrain could travel at 160km/h, they both will stop at the same point.

another setting is your headlights:
When the train is stationary the headlights are dimm and when the loco starts to move the headlights get brighter.
If you have an electric uncoupler (Telex) you can set the particular Auxillary function to pulse or a timer so to speak
if you would like to install a fire box you can have flickering lights.
If you have a consist of 2 or 3 locos you can arrange the right lights front and rear and if it's 3 locos have the middle loco without lights.

Sound decoder:

as above but now you have 26 Functions, 2 Auxillary functions can be included and with an adapterplate you again have 4 Auxillary functions available, although the ECoS can only handle 21 function at the moment.

Some sound decoders may not have all the soundslots you would like to have, ESU provides a template with additional sounds for American locos, announcements and others.
this option can be uploaded or downloaded with a Lokprogrammer and can be added to your decoder sound slots.

I hope this will help someone to understand some of the extras you normally don't hear of.

regards.,

John

I use the Lokpilot on all of my digital conversions and love the dimmable light function and the flicker effect. I had added the firebox effect to a few of my engines and all you really have to do is add the LED and adjust a couple CVs and you are all set. And I have found that the running characteristics are great also, I haven't changed a single 3 pole motor but every engine runs very smooth at slow speeds. I am a fan.

Ray,

Ok this was the complicated version, there are others exactly what you're talking about but not in the sound version, e.g. Lokpilot basic but unfortunately this is DCC only.

John

Chris,
this is interesting, with your trails I will not bother than and leave the 3 pole, perm.magnet and F1 where it belongs, out of sight

John

All my recent conversions have been with either a Marklin 60760 kit, or one of the ESU Lokpilot kits.

If the loco has a DCM motor I generally use the 60760 kit, and fitting the 5 pole motor parts included helps to improve the performance of the more basic decoder.

If the loco has a SFCM or LFCM motor I use the corresponding Lokpilot kit. These kits include, in the latest form, a lokpilot V4 decoder and a Hamo magnet to convert the Marklin motor to DC. The 3 pole armature is retained. With a bit of fine adjustment of the relevant CV values it is possible to get good performance out of this combination. I have to say I used to find the V3 decoder easier to program with my 6021, as the V4 now asks for 3 digit CV values, which are a bit of a chore to enter, using the "long method".

For my next conversion I will probably attempt the new Marklin MLD decoders and 5 pole conversion kits, if they are suitable.