LGB MTS

[Anonymous]

I know I'm probably going to get a lot of flack from this but here goes.Remember!This is my own opinion on this system and here in England we don't have the choice from a huge large scale market as they do in the USA.
Hello,
Had my MTS system for about a week now and I am very happy about its performance.I've wanted a DCC system for a while now and various people have been very helpful on pointing out various systems to me.If I lived in the US or Canada I must admit I would have gone for the Zimo system which looks superior to the LGB system but with my budget and local suppliers I decided to go LGB.
First of all I fitted all my locos with the LGB 55021 decoders whilst still running an analogue system.LGB instructions are an absolute joke as they don't exist.Luckily I have an electrical background so I just used the decoder diagram and dived in.On the newer engines the decoders just plug in to the existing circuitboard so it's easy.On the older engines an electrical rewire is neccessary but it really is'nt that tricky.(My 9 year old son worked it out)
One thing I noticed is that the smoke generators do not work when running on analogue.(but fine on MTS)Existing bulbs ect I left to see how they would cope[:D]
I bought a 5Amp transformer,the central station and the throttle.All the components are P (parallel)rated.
The setting up of the system is the usual LGB plug and play.Giving the loco addresses (loco identification)is also very easy.
Within 10 minutes my youngest son (7 years) had 3 locos under command on the same loop of track.Within 12 minutes we had the worst garden railway crash in the south east of England !
It takes some getting used to but even after a week of playing I would not go back to basic analogue control.
I only run about 200' of track at the moment and I can see why people with big layouts will steer clear of the basic 5 amp limit of the MTS system,however,I can now run 4 trains on my small layout and can expand when my track and budget allow.[:)]
I've posted this topic because of my own confusion in searching the web for suitable information on DCC systems at a basic level outside of the US.
Feel free to E-mail me on my experiences(in my profile) as I want to help anybody that was in the same situation with regards to DCC.
Mind you,I have not reached the MTS signals and points stage yet[^].My opinions might change!
Thanks to everyone that helped me with my initial DCC investigations(though you might be shaking your heads!)
Troy

[RhB_HJ]

Troy,[;)]

If I'd be shaking my head about things like that, I'd be dizzy.
But I have a sly grin on my face when people send me email a year or two later: "Oh, if only I had listened!!"[banghead][banghead]

Sure hope you checked that the 55021 are P versions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I haven't heard that they're out yet) Or you'll be amusing yourself with the serial cr...... err I mean stuff forever and a day!

[Anonymous]

I been looking @ Zimo and think I will give it a green light.

[Anonymous]

The LGB system is also compatible with Massoth's line of quality boosters and accessories, so upgrading to a more "beefier" amperage shouldn't be a problem with LGB's system. Of course, some types of upgrading may require factory service for the peripherials. Whatever the red tape, enjoy your system now! I got a Prodigy 8 amp system for a much lower price but now wish I had Lehmann's instead.

Regards,

Tom M.

[Anonymous]

Oh btw, let me know if those LGB 55021's make noise....my MRC decoder in my LGB engine sounds awful...

Tom M.

[bman36]

Troy,
Glad to hear you are having fun with your new found control. It will be a while before I go that route. More than likely I will start with a train engineer from Aristo. How bad was the wreck??? I always enjoy reading what worked and what did'nt. This past weekend in haste I wired a transformer to the track wrong. I was using thin wire so I doubled it. Problem was I created a short in the process by mis matching wires. OOOOPS. Explains the overload light coming on. ***grin***. Always when you are in a hurry. Have fun pal! Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

I, like Troy, have just hooked up my new MTS system on my indoors layout. I started a little different, as I purchased new locos with the decoders installed. So far I like the system, and plan to hook it up to my PC. No wrecks yet [;)].
Afer I felt I had gained some know how, (as Troy pointed out, LGB sure lacks on giving you "how to"directions/information [:(!]) I though I would run some of my older LGB locos with no decoders in the conventional mode.
Here's the bad news, my 2055 diesel back up lights stay on all the time, ok, not that bad. Then more bad news, my much newer 22552 diesel with sound, same problem plus the sound goes nuts! [:(]
So I called LGB, and guess what, despite what the manual says, you can't run all LGB locos in the conventional mode on an MTS layout[B)].
Ok, so then I figure, I can go ahead and install a decoder in my diesel. Wrong, it take 3 decoders, 1 for each motor and one for the sound.[:0]
I thought trains were to be fun and no stress[xx(]

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ZachsPappaw


Here's the bad news, my 2055 diesel back up lights stay on all the time, ok, not that bad. Then more bad news, my much newer 22552 diesel with sound, same problem plus the sound goes nuts! [:(]
So I called LGB, and guess what, despite what the manual says, you can't run all LGB locos in the conventional mode on an MTS layout[B)].
Ok, so then I figure, I can go ahead and install a decoder in my diesel. Wrong, it take 3 decoders, 1 for each motor and one for the sound.[:0]
I thought trains were to be fun and no stress[xx(]

Jeff,

A ZIMO MX 66 series will handle the whole shebang, it even understands the LGB F1 serial chain. You don't need three decoders!

If you're dealer doesn't carry it check with www.mrsonline.net They are the importer for ZIMO for NA and will be able to help you.

On the other stuff: Interesting but not a surprise. The tech info is getting better, you should have seen it 3 or 4 years ago! As far as analogue functions on a DCC system, I guess you wouldn't be disappointed if you knew up front. But getting straight, concise technical answers from EPL/LGB/LGBoA is sometimes a real challenge.

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LGBFan123

The LGB system is also compatible with Massoth's line of quality boosters and accessories, so upgrading to a more "beefier" amperage shouldn't be a problem with LGB's system. Of course, some types of upgrading may require factory service for the peripherials. Whatever the red tape, enjoy your system now! I got a Prodigy 8 amp system for a much lower price but now wish I had Lehmann's instead.

Regards,

Tom M.

Tom,

Massoth is the OEM for MTS, their own line is rather pricey (more than ZIMO!) without delivering "the goods" (at least not so far).

I won't comment on the Prodigy, other than MRC makes a good analogue product!

The noisy decoder? Get a more powerful soundsystem and you won't notice it! [;)][}:)][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

Come on HJ don't give me /us a hard time over this[:D]
I really appreciated your advice on DCC and done some serious webtime on it.
Here in the UK there is not the backup or suppliers for Zimo.I know it is a good system but for me the MTS system works well.
LGBFan123,I have no noise from my decoders on the small locos,On my 062 there is a very faint hum at low at low speed but I only hear it when I am really close.
ZachsPappaw,As I understand it,only 1 non-decoder loco can be run with the others.
I would check out what HJ is saying about the Zimo decoder.As long as it understands the LGB input it should be fine.I don't yet have any 2 motor locos but when I can afford one I will fit any make of decoder as long as it works.I have no loyalty to LGB.
HJ,As far as I am aware the decoders do not have to be 'P' rated.It is the command structure that has the problem,not the decoders.
Thanks all,Troy

[Anonymous]

Well Troy i hope it keeps hoing ok for you, when working the MTS is just great but I find it hard to understand the instructions and it was when i got into more complex things that things didn't work out.

As I have said its more the attitude of the peopel here in Australia that has been the problem.

Have you trried to operate many of the onboard functions of your locos, mine still don't all work and i have given up sending stuff back. I have spent over $300 on postage sending stuff back time after time for one trouble after another.

All the best and i hope you have less trouble than me.

Rgs

Ian

[Anonymous]

Ian,
I only have the 2 onboard functions,lights and smoke.Both work ok with no time lag.I know this is all they do as I fitted them.My father is going to bring one of his newer big locos up to run as it has a decoder already fitted.When I asked him what it could do he had no idea! It is about time that LGB started realizing that their products are been bought by intelligent adults.With their prices they are anything but toys.
I find it amazing that they can sell a loco for several hundred pounds and not actually specify what it can do.I cannot afford the new engines with decoders so I just add things as I go along.
It seems that over there the problem is the same as in the UK.When I was asking around the shops about MTS no-one had any idea about the system.I just got the same rubbi***hat can be found on the LGB website.
Please E-mail me off group about the problems you are having-they maybe problems laying in wait for me!
I am about to put a (55040?)decoder in one of the childrens trains so that they have more lights to play with.Our problems could be similar.
Troy