Lately, it seems just about everything is going wrong on the layout. Now just the little things. A couple days ago it was my turntable. Not it looks as if the LZ100 command station is conking out. I noticed some funky things going on when running the trains. For example, I hit the F2 key to blow the whistle and the train started backing up even thought the indicator on the throttle indicated it should be going forward. Locos weren't responding when I turned the throttle down. Then I got the following error message on the LH100 tethered throttle:
ERR 97
There is an error in the data processing in command station LZ100. All information about speed, direction and extra functions of the locomotives, as well as the status of turnouts and feedback encoders has been erased. The most frequent cause of this is an improper power supply to the LZ100. If this error appears repeatedly, the battery in LZ100 may be dead. This battery ensures that the data is stored even after the power to the command station is turned off. Please contact your model railroad dealer or Lenz Elektronik for replacement.
I'm fairly certain it is not inadequate power which means its probably the internal battery. I don't know how long it's going to take to get a replacement. There also isn't a battery compartment on the command station which means I'll probably have to open up the case to get at the battery. This hobby is going to put me in the nut house.
Have you had a power surge lately? I installed a surge protector in the panel after we lost a lot of expensive electrical items. Erratic behaviour or complete failure were symptoms of the surge.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I know nothing about Lenz DCC, but I found some info on the LZ100, and there is no mention of a hidden battery.
I did a manual for the LZV100, but that's not what you have.
Mike.
My You Tube
BATMANHave you had a power surge lately?
I agree with Brent. Whenever strange things happen with electronics, sometimes the first suspect is a surge.
Even many surge protectors don't stop them all.
York1 John
mbinsewi I know nothing about Lenz DCC, but I found some info on the LZ100, and there is no mention of a hidden battery. I did a manual for the LZV100, but that's not what you have. Mike.
Actually, that is what I have. Rather than dig up the manual for the LH100, I downloaded the PDF and that is where I copied the error message from. I didn't even notice the difference in the one letter between their documentation and my command station. I didn't realize they were two different model numbers. Evidently the LH100 throttle is compatible with both so I am puzzled why the error message for the LH100 would only mention the LZ100 and not the LZV100. Could the error code mean something different between the two models?
No mention in the manual of a battery. Older Digitrax and current NCE systems use a battery to retain system memoriy - it's jsut a standard coin cell, not some super secret special battery, and they should be periodically replaced. Since the Lenz manual makes no mention of any battery in the LZ100, or any hint how to replace any such thing, I have a feeling there isn't one.
But these things are all computers. When something acts up - the FIRST step should be to follow the reset instructions and do a full reset. Seems a little strange, something about whacking a function key on the throttle repeatedly. Try that first, it may clear the issue.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker No mention in the manual of a battery. Older Digitrax and current NCE systems use a battery to retain system memoriy - it's jsut a standard coin cell, not some super secret special battery, and they should be periodically replaced. Since the Lenz manual makes no mention of any battery in the LZ100, or any hint how to replace any such thing, I have a feeling there isn't one. But these things are all computers. When something acts up - the FIRST step should be to follow the reset instructions and do a full reset. Seems a little strange, something about whacking a function key on the throttle repeatedly. Try that first, it may clear the issue. --Randy
I did the system reset and things seem to be working normally again......for now. There's still that pesky 97 error code when I start up that the LH100 throttle manual says indicates a battery needs replacement but as you observed, there is nothing in the LZV100 manual that indicates there even is a battery. Lenz is a German company and maybe something was lost in the translation to English.
Could be related to on older command station. Or maybe there is one in there - can't hurt to take the cover off and look.
The following website, https://www.dccsupplies.com/item-p-105175/lenz-battery-pcb-mount, seems to imply that there is a PCB mounted battery in the LZV100 command station.
maxman The following website, https://www.dccsupplies.com/item-p-105175/lenz-battery-pcb-mount, seems to imply that there is a PCB mounted battery in the LZV100 command station.
That's good to know although it indicates it is out of stock and it appears the price is in Euro currency so the company is probably across the pond. Don't know what the shipping charge would be? I'm going to check Amazon to see if they stock it.
EDIT: No luck on Amazon. I figured it was a longshot anyway. I'll probably have to contact Lenz directly. I think they have a North American division.
Looks like someplace in Canada
http://www.tlacanada.com/ Scroll down in the link to get contact info for current individual. If you manage to contact him you can ask if there really a battery. Be sure to let us know resolution.
Simplest thing is to take the cover off and look. And look at the existing battery if there is one - again this is not a custom Lenz part, you can get these anywhere, though ones with solder tabs welded on, you won't find at the local supermarket and it boggles my mind that they would use something like that instead of a simple holder that you could easily repalce the battery in. But, first google search found this - they have several sizes, so you need to look at the existing one to know the right one. I have no idea if this company is any good, it's just the first one that came up.
https://www.battery2batteries.com/3-volt-lithium-coin-cell-pcb-mount-batteries/
Inside of my LZV100, V-3.6 (purchased date 1/29/11) is a battery "Varta #CR2450 3V''. It is not a snap in and out mounting. It is solder tabs welded on the battery. I guess I'm not the only one with the ''Black Sheep'' of the DCC world, at least in the U.S. of A. anyway. I had excellent customer service/support with Lenz in the U.S.of A. years ago back with Deb and Stanley. The system being ''Upgraded to the next Version'' was what it went in for over the years. I have been very happy with my Lenz DCC System.
PC101 Inside of my LZV100, V-3.6 (dated 1/29/11) is a battery "Varta #CR2450 3V''. It is not a snap in and out mounting. It is solder tabs welded on the battery. I guess I'm not the only one with the ''Black Sheep'' of the DCC world, at least in the U.S. of A. anyway. I had excellent customer service/support with Lenz in the U.S.of A. years ago back with Deb and Stanley.
Inside of my LZV100, V-3.6 (dated 1/29/11) is a battery "Varta #CR2450 3V''. It is not a snap in and out mounting. It is solder tabs welded on the battery. I guess I'm not the only one with the ''Black Sheep'' of the DCC world, at least in the U.S. of A. anyway. I had excellent customer service/support with Lenz in the U.S.of A. years ago back with Deb and Stanley.
Thanks. I started with a basic Atlas DCC system and migrated to Lenz. If I remember right, Atlas was made by Lenz and my CVP wireless throttles would be compatible with both.
Jameco has them for $1.95:
https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&productId=2280663&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&CID=GOOG&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6sHzBRCbARIsAF8FMpXyvnQJ-knJOQ5G8EuZrEjMz_4Yh1Xoq1Ixcyf6kSGpR8yuPj0r9MgaAgWdEALw_wcB
If it were mine, I would check the data cheet and compare the hole spacing to see if it matches up with this from DigiKey:
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/keystone-electronics/1025-7/36-1025-7-ND/315145?utm_adgroup=Battery%20Holders%2C%20Clips%2C%20Contacts&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_Battery%20Products_NEW&utm_term=&utm_content=Battery%20Holders%2C%20Clips%2C%20Contacts&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6sHzBRCbARIsAF8FMpWjOP5jXJruFRPAM0o6uX8T09G1vcZNkA2B0Iitn7AwBpTUAm9ptu4aAsQ9EALw_wcB
which is a battery holder for those size batteries. If the holes in the Lenz PCB match, I would get the battery holder so the next time the battery needed to be changed, it would be a simple operation, not requring soldering.