top of page

ESU DCC PRODUCT NOTICES AND INFORMATION

ESU CABCONTROL DCC SYSTEM USERS - #1
 

CABCONTROL'S PROGRAMMING TRACK

 LGB Trains hobbyists using the ESU CabControl DCC System have recently reported the Programming Track cannot successfully Write (program) or Read the CVs on their LGB locomotives with the MSD3 mfx/dcc/dc sound decoders installed.   In 2014 Marklin stopped using Massoth for LGB locomotives’ electronics and instead started installing their own MSD3 mfx/dcc/dc sound decoders.  When trying to Read or Write the CVs on these locomotives on the CabControl’s Programming Track, it will error fault and will shut down,  and then must be restarted.  I contacted ESU LLC USA about this issue and they suggested using a resistor on one of the CabControl’s Program Track Output wires.   ESU’s ECOS Command Station has the four digital technologies including DCC and M4, which is ESU’s term for mfx, so it can operation these the MSD3-equipped locomotives in M4 Mode, and Read and Write the CVs using M4.  The CabControl is only DCC but both ESU command stations have the Railcom and RailcomPlus features.   

 

On June 1, 2022 I tested this approach using a 25W 100 Ohm Resistor shown in the photos below and it works like a charm!  You can see that I Read CV1 which correctly shows #50 for my LGB 28443 RbB 50th Anniversary locomotive’s MSD3 mfx/dcc/dc decoder.  The CabControl’s Programming Track works well for all other installed DCC decoders in LGB locomotives, the LGB onboard decoder installed in locomotives prior to 2014, and the Massoth, ESU and Soundtraxx decoders that I sell and install.    So, if you don’t have any of the newer LGB locomotives produced by Marklin in year 2014 to date, then you don’t need to use the resistor on the CabControl’s Programming Track output.

 

I have a supply of the required Resistors if you’d like to purchase one - $6 plus $5 shipping.  Or, I’ve developed a CabControl Programming Track Connector Set shown below that has two cables 21 inches each with alligator clips with "solder tinned" wires, a set of small alligator clips, and the resistor that I can provide you - $15 plus $10.40 USPS Priority Mail shipping.   If you want longer 40 inch cables with the alligator clips, the CabControl Programming Track Connector Set is $20 plus $10.40 USPS Priority Mail shipping.

ESU CabControl with 25W 100 Ohm Resistor for MSD3 Decoders-11.jpg
ESU CabControl with 25W 100 Ohm Resistor for MSD3 Decoders-22.jpg
ESU CabControl with 25W 100 Ohm Resistor for MSD3 Decoders-33.jpg
ESU CabControl Program Track Connector Set.jpg

ESU CabControl Programming Track Resistor & Cable Connector Set 
                                               $15 plus $10.40 USPS Priority Mail Shipping

ESU CABCONTROL DCC SYSTEM USERS - #2

FLICKERING HEADLIGHT AND REAR LIGHTS ON LGB LOCOMOTIVES
When operating your locomotives and the lights flicker, go into the CabControl's Settings and turn off both the Railcom and RailcomPlus features.  If you are operating non-Railcom-equipped decoders in your locomotives, these features can't be used and I suggest you turn them off to preclude any interference with your locomotives operations. 

ESU CABCONTROL DCC SYSTEM USERS - #3

MOBILE CONTROLLER II UNABLE TO DISPLAY F KEYS F13 - F30 ON MARKLIN-PRODUCED LGB LOCOMOTIVES WITH MSD3 MFX/DCC/DC SOUND DECODERS INSTALLED FROM YEAR 2014 TO PRESENT

  

First photo is my LGB Juniper # 60 locomotive showing only F Key F0 – F12 displayed on the Mobile II throttle.  I had originally set up the Locomotive Name as Juniper 60 and Address CV1 to 60 using my Massoth DCC System two years ago, and at that time I could use all 29 F Keys with the Massoth DCC System.  The second photo shows my turning on F Keys F13 – F29.  The final photo shows the completed set up of the Juniper # 60 displaying all the F Keys.

 

Here’s the process to get all F Keys displayed with the CabControl System.

  1. Place your locomotive on a piece of test track connected to your ICU MAIN Terminals…….do not use the resistor;

  2. In your Mobile II Throttle, use DELETE LOCOMOTIVE to remove locomotive’s existing saved data;

  3. Then use CREATE LOCOMOTIVE and add the Locomotive NAME, PHOTO, and ADDRESS;

  4. Then Scroll down to the F Keys and you will see that F13 – F30 are turned off;  touch each of those F Keys to toggle them ON;

  5. Then, top left, touch CHECK MARK - SAVE, to save the locomotive’s data into your system;

  6. You’re now ready to run your locomotive with all F Keys activated.

IMG_0504 (002).JPG
IMG_0506.JPG
IMG_0507.JPG

ESU ECOS SYSTEM USERS - #1

Duplicate Locomotive Registration in both M4 and DCC Operating Modes

  

Rgistereing the same locomotive in both DCC and M4 Operating Modes may cause a conflict when running the locomotive.  A hobbyist recently reported that he could not get the headlights to activate in the forward direction in his LGB 21481 2-10-2 Steam Locomotive with the factory-installed MSD3 mfx/dcc/dc sound decoder.  The locomotive's rear lights would activate properly, but not the headlights.  After he discovered the locomotive was registered in both Operating Modes, he deleted the locomotive and only registered it in one Operating Mode and then the headlights worked properly.

 

​

bottom of page