Non-Sound Decoder MX600 - MX638 and Sound Decoder MX640 - MX659 Page 61
Energy storage components in the ZIMO product range
ZIMO offers a range of assortments (electrolytic capacitors, tantalum and gold caps) as well as stor-
age modules; see the product/price list or Info on
(decoder, energy storage). There is a
capacitor or storage module available for all decoder types and sizes.
Energy storage solutions for ZIMO decoders can be based on
electrolytic
capacitors
or
tantalum
capacitors
as well as
Super caps
and
Gold caps.
Electrolytic
Supercap68 Gold cap module with 7 gold caps (7 x 1F in series = 140000 F - 17.5)
MX632V, MX632W, MX632VD, MX632WD -
the special MX632 design with built-in low voltage supply
These decoders contain an efficient
1.5V
or
5V regulator,
which can be directly connected to low
voltage bulbs. The low voltage is available at the purple wire and is used for the corresponding loads
in place of the “common positive” (blue) wire.
MX632V and MX632VD (1.5V) decoders facilitate the installation considerably especially in high qual-
ity brass models (which are often equipped with such bulbs), because it eliminates the installation of
an external voltage regulator (that often requires some sort of heat sink).
MX632W and MX632WD (5V) decoders are primarily meant for large scale engines (i.e. LGB) that
are often equipped with 5V bulbs. The 5V supply can also be used to drive servos, which eliminates
the need for an external voltage regulator.
MX640, MX642, MX643, MX644, MX645, MX646 -
connecting smoke generators to steam and diesel engines:
With a “Seuthe” 18V smoke generator as example:
In addition to a simple ON/OFF function with a function output of your choice, these decoders are also
capable to adapt the smoke
volume
to the
load
(almost no smoke at
standstill
, little smoke at
cruis-
ing
, heavy smoke at
start-up
etc.).
This requires the smoke generator to be connected to one of the function outputs
FO1
to
FO6
and the
selected output must be programmed with the associated special effect CV (with CV #127 for FO1,
CV #128 fir FO2 etc.) for the desired effect; in this case for load dependent smoke for steam engines
(effect code “72”) or load dependent smoke for diesels (effect code “80”).
EXAMPLE: - Steam engine, smoke generator connected to function output FO5: CV #131 = 72.
The selected function output is further defined by CV #137, 138 and 139 (“Definition of smoke gen-
era
tor characteristic”). These CV’s must be programmed with appropriate values otherwise the smoke
generator will not produce any smoke.
EXAMPLE: - Typical characteristic for a track voltage set around 20V with above smoke generator:
CV #137 = 70…90: little smoke at standstill.
CV #138 = 200: The smoke generator output is increased to about 80% of its maximum capacity
beginning with speed step 1 (lowest speed step), which produces relatively heavy smoke.
CV #139 = 255: The smoke generator is driven to its maximum, which results in thick smoke under
heavy acceleration.
Synchronized steam chuffs or typical diesel smoke with fan-controlled smoke generators:
ZIMO sound decoder (
MX645…), with the help of a smoke generator
with built-in fan,
can produce
steam puffs synchronized with the sound chuffs or load dependent diesel smoke (i.e. diesel engine
smoke at start-up, controlled by the sound project) without additional electronic components.
The heating element of the smoke generator is connected
– as in the example above with the
“Seuthe” generator – to
FO1…FO6
and configured with the appropriate CV for the desired effect (i.e.
“72” for steam or “80” for diesel).
The fan is connected to the function output
FO4
(or
FO2
in exceptional cases such as the
MX646)
;
the other wire of the fan motor often requires a low voltage (check with the manufacturer) and is
therefore connected to an external voltage regulator or
– if the fan motor requires 5V – to the 5V sup-
ply of the decoder, if such an output is available.
The CV’s must be programmed as follows:
CV #137, #138, #139 = 60, 90, 120 respectively: (IMPORTANT) if the heating element cannot operate
at full track voltage; the voltage at the function output must be limited, which is
done with suitable values in CV #137, 138 and 139.
CV #133 = 1: (IMPORTANT) this configures output FO4 as a fan output.
CV #353 = …i.e. 10: shuts the smoke generator off automatically to prevent overheating. In this
example (10) after 250 seconds.
CV #351, #352 = …: Only for diesel engines when special effect code “80” is selected in the
applicable CV for FO1…FO6. This defines the fan speed (voltage) for start-up
(default: maximum smoke) and cruising (default: medium smoke); see CV table.
CV #355 =…: For steam and diesel engines. Defines the fan speed (voltage) at standstill (usually for
very little smoke output).
