Roco Multimaus

[KH in OZ]

I am considering the purchase of a Multimaus but I'm trying to find an answer to one question.
Their is no information on switching between running trains in the manual. The control knob appears to be a centre off knob.  I assume that the knob position will be at the speed/direction of the train currently being driven. If this is the case, I can't see what happens when you switch to a second running train if they are both running in different directions and different speeds and the knob is off the centre position. If so, there must be some way the second train's speed and direction will not be affected when switching to it. Does anyone owns a Multimous who can elighen me please.

Ken H

[BigDaddy]

The Multimaus is here:

https://www.roco.cc/en/product/5215-0-0-0-0-0-0-004001/products.html

The manuals are here:

http://www.roco.cc/en/service/downloads/multimaus/index.html

I couldn't make sense out of it either.  I have a NCE, but if I had a digitrax, I could ask about either here, and within an hour or two someone could set me straight. 

I see now you are in OZ so that changes the economics of your purchase compared to those of us in the US.  We have a fair number of global members, so hopefully someone can chime in with first hand experience.

 

 

[Spalato68]

KH in OZ

I am considering the purchase of a Multimaus but I'm trying to find an answer to one question.
Their is no information on switching between running trains in the manual. The control knob appears to be a centre off knob.  I assume that the knob position will be at the speed/direction of the train currently being driven. If this is the case, I can't see what happens when you switch to a second running train if they are both running in different directions and different speeds and the knob is off the centre position. If so, there must be some way the second train's speed and direction will not be affected when switching to it. Does anyone owns a Multimous who can elighen me please.

Ken H

 

 

Hi Ken,

 

I have Roco Multimaus and I can confirm – if you have one train traveling in one direction and given speed (e.g. SS 50), and you have another, traveling in the opposite direction and different speed e.g. SS 100), after you select second train, the throttle (center knob) will be in position and direction of first train.

 

To control the second train, you have no other choice but to quickly move the throttle in the opposite direction and approximate position for SS 100 (unfortunately Roco Multimaus with old station does not show speed steps – I do not know how it works with new Roco station, Z/z 21). Now, if you move the throttle quickly enough, and this loco has a value in CV 4 high enough, and you position the throttle in good position (close to SS 100), you will not see any change of speed of second train.

 

After I read your question, one idea came to my mind: to avoid “disturbance” of second train while moving throttle from one direction to another, you can try following trick – instead selecting immediately second train, you can select any other “train” (i.e. CV 1 value that is not currently in operation). By selecting a “ghost” train, that in fact does not exist, you can slowly move the throttle in the other direction and try to position it as close as possible to the real position for second train. Then, you select second train, throttle is already in a very close position to that which is required – to “engage” the Multimaus for the second train, you just need to move a throttle one speed step – it will “take over” the second train and you will not be practically able to see any change in second train speed.

 

Hope I helped a bit – to be honest, it never disturbed me what you explained (to change a bit a speed of second train for a moment), because I have it and that is the only way I can use it – but your question is good and shows you analyzed the use of Multimaus before buying – which is of course a smart thing to do.

 

 

One more idea, after I posted my answer: you always can connect to the Roco station a second Multimaus (they can be found relatively cheap on ebay), and use it for a second train. This is very practical, if you usually have at least two trains running in the same time, and friend(s) who also like to play with your layout[:)

 

Regards,

 

Hrvoje

 

 

 

 

 

[KH in OZ]

Thanks Hrvoje,

I had downloaded the manual to study up on the unit before going ahead with a purchase and the fact that Roco didn't mention switching between trains in their manual made me suspicious. You have confirmed what I was thinking. I was particuarly interested in the Multimaus because it had a libary that could store up to 64 locos and I like a control knob.

I have an older NCE Procab due for replacement and found it to be not particually good for single handed operation. My grandchildren with their smaller hands consistently manage to push the lower buttons accidently often putting the system intp program mode.

I think I shall rule out the Multimous.

Ken

 

 

KH in OZ

I am considering the purchase of a Multimaus but I'm trying to find an answer to one question.
Their is no information on switching between running trains in the manual. The control knob appears to be a centre off knob.  I assume that the knob position will be at the speed/direction of the train currently being driven. If this is the case, I can't see what happens when you switch to a second running train if they are both running in different directions and different speeds and the knob is off the centre position. If so, there must be some way the second train's speed and direction will not be affected when switching to it. Does anyone owns a Multimous who can elighen me please.

Ken H

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Ken,

 

I have Roco Multimaus and I can confirm – if you have one train traveling in one direction and given speed (e.g. SS 50), and you have another, traveling in the opposite direction and different speed e.g. SS 100), after you select second train, the throttle (center knob) will be in position and direction of first train.

 

To control the second train, you have no other choice but to quickly move the throttle in the opposite direction and approximate position for SS 100 (unfortunately Roco Multimaus with old station does not show speed steps – I do not know how it works with new Roco station, Z/z 21). Now, if you move the throttle quickly enough, and this loco has a value in CV 4 high enough, and you position the throttle in good position (close to SS 100), you will not see any change of speed of second train.

 

After I read your question, one idea came to my mind: to avoid “disturbance” of second train while moving throttle from one direction to another, you can try following trick – instead selecting immediately second train, you can select any other “train” (i.e. CV 1 value that is not currently in operation). By selecting a “ghost” train, that in fact does not exist, you can slowly move the throttle in the other direction and try to position it as close as possible to the real position for second train. Then, you select second train, throttle is already in a very close position to that which is required – to “engage” the Multimaus for the second train, you just need to move a throttle one speed step – it will “take over” the second train and you will not be practically able to see any change in second train speed.

 

Hope I helped a bit – to be honest, it never disturbed me what you explained (to change a bit a speed of second train for a moment), because I have it and that is the only way I can use it – but your question is good and shows you analyzed the use of Multimaus before buying – which is of course a smart thing to do.

 

 

One more idea, after I posted my answer: you always can connect to the Roco station a second Multimaus (they can be found relatively cheap on ebay), and use it for a second train. This is very practical, if you usually have at least two trains running in the same time, and friend(s) who also like to play with your layout[:)

 

Regards,

 

Hrvoje

 

 

 

 

 

 

[/quote]

[rrinker]

 Wow, there are 3 ways this could be accomplished and they chose option 4, the most useless method.

2 ways with potentiometr controls, where physical position is directly releated to the speed and direction:

1 (used by the older Digitrax utility throttles) - lights on the throttle indicate a mismatch between the knob and the loco you are trying to select, and which way to turn the knob to get them into agreement (increase or decrease speed setting to match the train you are trying to acquire)

2. (used on the current UT4 from Digitrax) - second train GRADUALLY adjusts speed to match knob setting, regardless of momentum setting in the decoder. These throttles have a seperate direction switch so the knob only indicates speed.

And the third way, why ENCODERS are superior - the physical amount of knob rotation has no absolute meaning in relation to the speed - basically when you select another loco, NOTHING happens to its speed unless you turn the knob. If it's stopped, it stays stopped. If you switch from train A running on step 20 to train B running on step 60, train B keeps moving at step 60. This is what happens with the DT series throttles from Digitrax, and with the ProCab NCE throttles.

 If you need a throttle for smaller hands, NCE has both potentiometer and encoder versions of their utility throttles which as significantly smaller than the ProCab. In both plug in and radio versions. No need to switch systems, just add one of these to your existing NCE system.

 There's a 5th way to match speeds, used by ESU on their ECoS system. Like older fancy remoote control stereos (before the volume became digital) the potentiometer speed knobs are also motorized. So with that system, if you switch from train A running at step 20 to train B running at step 60, the knob would automatically turn to the appropriate speed. German engineering at its best - way overcomplicated and complex.

                               --Randy

 

[KH in OZ]

Yes, I'm leaning toward staying with NCE and an adding an engineering throttle for the grandchildren.

It is about time that NCE updated their system though. Especially the display. My Spektrum DX9 transmitter for my RC planes has a 250 model memory with alphanumeric naming of each model. And at less cost than a NCE Procab. Something like that would be very nice especially as I model in N and most of the time I can't read the number on the locos.

Ken

[KH in OZ]

I have received the following reply back from Roco Customer Service which confirms what Hrvoje said in his post. Reply attached.

Ken Howard

----------------------------------------------------

Dear Mr. Howard,

thank you for your email-message! We understand, but we regret: The MultiMouse has no so called "catch-function", means to store the "Status quo" of the alternative loco(s) or firstly to read the "new" locos condition before the control-take-over will be realized by automatically drive of the regulator knob: These features cannot be realized with the used MultiMouse processor and without a separate Motor and firmware-extension with a competitive price of 99,00 € actually.
So a part-solution is to achieve only by watching the locos according their running-direction and their speed. Is to confirm, the running-directions are different (most important) and eventually also the Speed, change to another, not used address or dummy-name for a not existing loco, change the Regulator knob and then change to the alternative loco  - if you have only one MultiMouse. With two mice it´s much more comfortable naturally.

Kind regards

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

[tstage]

KH in OZ

It is about time that NCE updated their system though. Especially the display. My Spektrum DX9 transmitter for my RC planes has a 250 model memory with alphanumeric naming of each model. And at less cost than a NCE Procab. Something like that would be very nice especially as I model in N and most of the time I can't read the number on the locos.

Ken

Ken,

NCE is a small cottage business (<20 employees) located NE of Rochester, NY in Webster.  Granted that the Power Cab/ProCab throttle design is beginning to look a bit outdated, it still works very well.

My guess is that a change in throttle design would require some serioius time and capital to get that accomplished and NCE may not have either readily available at their disposal.  At a minimum: You'd need to find an LCD screen and enclosure that will work well together, design the PCB to interface the two, then machine the enclosure for the LCD screen and any buttons and connectors you need/want to add.

That's a major hurdle if your business is small.  To make it work econonically for you you have to find and use "established" parts and components that are NOT going to go obsolete anytime soon.  Or, you anticipate how many units you anticipate you will sell/repair over a certain amount of time and purchase that amount.

Again, that takes capital that leaves you with a lot of inventory.  When you are a telecommunicaton giant, the above is not as much an issue.  If you're a small business?...it's a considerable challenge.

The smaller CAB-06 throttles are nice for small hands and do a good job.  The size also makes it easier to operate one-hand if your hands are not large like mine.

Tom

[maxman]

KH in OZ

My Spektrum DX9 transmitter for my RC planes has a 250 model memory with alphanumeric naming of each model.

Does it also have a mass spectrometer, cigarette lighter, and built in ice dispensor?