DCC DIY Decoders

Low Power.

Can drive up to 25mA per output at 5V (most LEDs only need 2mA to 5mA for normal brightness). Load can be connected between output and 0V or output and 5V or both (single output will drive both headlight and tail light for example). Bi-colour LEDs can be driven by connecting them between a pair of outputs (ideal for class 121 bubble cars etc. where head and tail light are in the same lens). Total decoder load should not exceed 90mA. Main advantages of this version are that it can be made smaller and there will be less heat dissipated, there is the potential of more efficient use of the outputs and more efficient use of the function buttons when driving complex lighting scenarios (such as the class 170 example with day and night lights as well as parking). This version will provide constant brightness of the LEDs regardless of track voltage (even when running on DC once the track voltage gets to 5.5V). The low power outputs are the same as the extra outputs C and D on the Zimo MX620 (or E and F on the MX63/64). Outputs are overload protected

High Power.

Can drive up to 200mA per output at full track voltage against the blue wire. Outputs can be on or off. Outputs are suitable for driving bulbs, smoke units, couplings, motors or anything else that you would normally connect to the function output of a decoder. Total decoder load should not exceed 2A. The main advantage of this version is that it can be used anywhere that is DCC ready and has a decoder socket. Outputs are not overload protected.

The differences between the versions is minimal and there is no reason why some of the outputs on a high output power decoder cannot be configured for low power by just leaving off the output transistor and replacing the current limiting resistor with a more suitable value.

Standard Firmware.

* Long and short addressing (CV1 and CV17/18).

* Supports all service mode programming modes including Direct, Paged, register and address only.

* Supports Operations mode programming (programming on the main) including 6-byte packets.

* Supports LokMaus2 programming mode to give access to all CVs for command stations only able to program CV0-99 with values 0-99

* Advanced consisting including consist address (CV19) and consist function mapping (CV21 and CV22).

* Analogue DC mode including analogue function mapping (CV13 and CV14).

* Supports brake on DC sections when analogue DC mode is disabled (CV29).

* Supports 14, 27, 28 and 126 speed step modes.

* Decoder lock (CV15 and CV16) allowing multiple decoders in one loco to be seperately addressed.

* Full function to output mapping allowing any function F0 to F28 to operate any output.

* Output inversion (CV99) which allows an output to be switched off when a function is active.

* Flicker (not on decoders using 12F629 or 12F675) available on outputs C, E, F, G and H using CV100.

* Personal user ID storage in CV105 and CV106.

* Sensitive input will decode packets even on very dirty track far beyond the NMRA spec.

* Three or eight independent outputs (depending on version).

* Up to 200mA current per output (high power versions only).

* Bipolar outputs (low power versions only) can be used against 0V supply or 5V supply