56
GB
T
ERMINAL
L
OOPS
IN
D
IGITAL
O
PERATION
Every model railway enthusiast knows the problem of terminal loops from his / her conventional system. In
digital operation too, the left-hand rail profi le meets the right-hand rail profi le after a terminal loop and
would cause a short circuit without the appropriate wiring.
The Roco10769 terminal loop module solves the problems of a terminal loop in digital operation. Isolate
the terminal loop with both poles on both sides by disconnecting the terminal loop completely from the
rest of the system, using insulated connectors (see fi g. 5 on page 64). It is imperative that the isolated
section of track within the terminal loop is longer than the longest train which is going to travel through
the terminal loop. The power supply to the terminal loop is connected to the output of the terminal loop
module which provides the power supply for the terminal loop. The module itself is connected either to a
track outside the terminal loop or directly to the amplifi er.
Please note
: The reversing loop sets 6099, 6199 (H0) or similarly 9199 (N) are
not
suitable for digital
operation.
The terminal loop module functions as follows: A train enters the terminal loop – the direction is not
important – and the polarity of the tracks before and within the terminal loop is not identical. There is then
a short circuit within the module which the module immediately detects. The module then reverses the
polarity in the terminal loop before the short circuit detection function of the amplifi er detects anything or
the train slows down. The terminal loop polarity is then corrected for the entry of the train. The reverse of
polarity in the terminal loop does of course render the polarity incorrect for the train’s exit from the loop.
This procedure or reversing the polarity is therefore repeated when the train exits. Since in digital operation
the polarity of the tracks do not determine the direction of travel of the train; the train can pass through
the terminal loop without stopping or without your intervention.
In order for the terminal module to detect incorrect polarity in time, you have to set its sensitivity using the
potentiometer visible on the side. See the terminal loop module’s instructions for use.
G
LOSSARY
à
Decoder
In order to make the digital control signals of the
multi
MAUS
understandable to “conventional” technology,
you require a “translator” – the decoder. It does not replace any of the components in the analogue direct
current locomotive but is a necessary addition and must also be given a place in the locomotive housing.
For alternating current locomotives on the other hand, the change-over module or relay is replaced by the
decoder, not in DCC format but of course Motorola format.
à
CVs
All values which affect the behaviour of the locomotive decoder – and ultimately the behaviour of the
locomotive – are stored in what are referred to as CVs. CV is the abbreviation for confi guration variables.
The
multi
MAUS
is compatible with the NMRA / DCC standard and can therefore read and write these vari-
ables.
Fleischmann amplifi ers 680801 and the Roco booster 10765 cannot be used to read the CVs from a
decoder! The values shown are only fi ctitious suggested values.
CVs range from “0” to “255”. This shows that reprogramming requires experience, as incorrectly set CVs
may have an adverse effect on the performance of the decoder.
à
Speed steps
On a conventional model railway a regulating transformer is used to control locomotives. The transformer
emits voltage values to control the locomotive motor between 0 volts and the maximum voltage (typically
between 12 and 14 volts) via the controller.
