Tip: µcon-s88-master used with TrainController Date: link new s88n graphics

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1 Hi All, This is a documentation record of the steps required to install the µcon-s88- Master on a large layout and configure its use with TrainController. Background My friend Rudolf is building a large computer controlled layout which has 3 rail and 2 rail components. He asked for advice on the type of track monitoring he should use for the layout. From my past experience with the original Märklin s88 s it was only designed to have a maximum bus length of 6m. If you tried to extend the 6m bus length you would encounter problems with the s88 units giving false indication so reliable computer control would be compromised. The problem is the flat cable used to connect the s88 modules together are very susceptible to electrical interference as it is electrically unscreened and with the options of other manufacturers making similar units they have chosen to use the new s88-n standard which use cat5/6 data cable with RJ45 connectors. Because of the large layout I wanted to have a high speed track monitoring system that could be used with TrainController. It was a toss-up between the µcon-s88-master from LS_digital and the HSI-88 from LDT. Both systems can divide the s88 bus into 3 channels. I chose the µcon-s88-master because it is Ethernet based and there is the ability to adjust the speed of the system. Hardware Used µcon-s88-master 12Vdc power socket and Ethernet socket RJ45 sockets for channels s88 I, s88 II and s88 III LED indicator and Reset button Note: The µcon-s88-master needs a 12Vdc power pack with 1Amp capacity. I only purchased the µcon-s88-master without the power pack so I could buy a local power pack to avoid the use of a power adaptor. 1

2 µcon-s88-master Jack for AC adaptor (Output 12Vdc 1Amp) 2. Socket for Network Cable (Home network) 3. Reset button to restart the µcon-s88-master 4. LED indicates the operating status Green: Device is in operation Red: Device is not ready / device is in the boot process (wait a few seconds) In operation the illuminated green LED flickers in a constant rhythm (approx 1 flash per second) this flickering signals the connection to the PC. 5. RJ45 connection from the s88n modules for Channels I, II and III The s88-master is now supported by Bühler electronic GmbH Address Bühler electronic GmbH Ulmenstrasse Fredersdorf Germany Phone: +49 (0) Fax : +49 (0) lsdigital@buehler-electronic.de Web: LS_digital 2

3 Hardware Used continued Adaptors If you have already made an investment in standard Märklin s88 modules you can buy add on connector conversion kits for the new s88-n standard shown. Huib Maaskant s Shop s88 Modules Märklin 6088 or Digikeijs DR4088GND and DR4088CS The DR4088GND module works the same as the Märklin 6088 or and the DR4088CS module is used for current sensing on the 2 rail system. Tip Opinion From now on, only buy s88 modules that support the s88-n standard See my Tip on The Diode Trick for further improvements. 3

4 Cat 6 Ethernet Cables I chose to use the s88-n colours mentioned on Huib s site s88n Standard Link for the above diagrams shown above Ethernet-Cables-RJ45 Tip: I bought Cat 6 cable and RJ45 male suitable for the solid Cat 6 cable from an electrical wholesaler with the correct crimping $48.00 Jaycar and Dicksmith are just too expensive. All connecting Ethernet cables were made to length to suit the placement of the s88 modules. Before installation each cable was tested with a multimeter. Once the Cat 6 cabling has been completed from the µcon-s88-master to all s88 modules it s time to setup the µcon-s88-master before trying to use it with TrainController. 4

5 µcon-s88-master Setup At the time of writing this article the only instructions/manual from Lokstoredigital were in the German language. This article is only a record on how I setup the µcon-s88-master and all technical questions should be addressed to LS_digital I copied the contents of the supplied CD titled µcon-tools to my computer. I then opened the BDA LSdigital Programmer.pdf and with the aid of I got an idea how to setup the µcon-s88-master. With all the s88 modules wired to the µcon-s88-master and the s88-master connected to Rudolf s train network I powered on the s88-master and executed LSdigital programmer V2.0.exe. I received a message that Java was required to run the program. Once Java was installed on the new computer the LSdigital programmer V2.0.exe ran ok. The program finds the Local address and the µcon-s88- Master appears with the Version # and IP address (which may be different for your network). This IP address is required for the TrainController setup. Clicking on the Help will show information about the LSdigital Programmer. 5

6 µcon-s88-master Setup continued The μcon-s88-master has different settings that need to be changed or adjusted. To change options on the μcon-s88 Master, select the μcon-s88 Master using the mouse. Once you click on the line for the µcon-s88- Master the form will expand as shown. The only things you have to change, is to correct the S88 Module count for each channel connector I, II and III. In the TrainController Help files it states Even though the µcon-s88-master needs to know the number of modules connected to each particular bus, it is not necessary to specify this number explicitly. TrainController calculates these numbers according to the data loaded into the software and configures the µcon-s88-master automatically. The μcon-s88-master supports up to 48 feedback modules having 16 channels or 96 modules with 8 channels. The total number of modules must be set for each channel in the s88-master. Example 2* 8 channel modules on Connector I is equal to 1* 16 channel module 3* 8 channel modules on Connector I is equal to 2* 16 channel module The μcon-s88-master has other settings that make the s88 bus safer and less sensitive to errors. To select one on and switch-off delay for example already in the device use the pull down menu as shown. Under the Pro User section the bus speed can be adjusted. This option is only necessary in rare cases. The following settings can be made: Slow = here the bus is per second Standard = here the bus is per second Fast = here the bus is per second The bus clock with Standard setting works best. If the Fast setting is used with some modules, errors may occur. For the Feedback Filter and Pro User sections I didn t change any of these settings and left them on Standard. With the channel count set I selected the Write button then exited the LSdigital Programmer. 6

7 µcon-s88-master Setup continued Under the Program button the static IP address can be change if required. The Port = 11,082 should be left alone. I chose to use the defaults that the programmer set. Make a note of the IP address to be used in TrainController Setup Digital Systems Note: If at any time you want to make changes to the μcon-s88-master, ensure TrainController is not running before running the LSdigital Programmer. 7

8 µcon-s88-master Setup with TrainController The BDAuCon-s88-Master_V3.0.pdf is missing from the supplied CD so I downloaded it from LSdigital-shop Again the information is only in the German language but the pictures for non German speakers helps. Please note the μcon-s88-master is only supported with TrainController from Version 8.0 revision B4 and onwards. From the Railroad menu select Setup Digital Systems... Select the Add... button 8

9 µcon-s88-master Setup with TrainController continued From the pull down menu select μcon μcon-s88-master For the IP-Address enter the correct address you obtained when using the LSdigital Programmer. Then select OK. Now TrainController has two digital systems so select OK once again. 9

10 Important Wire Required For your track detection to work well one of the s88 modules for your layout must be connected to the (O) Gnd/Masse of your digital system. (O) or The T on the 6088/60880 module or the C connection on the DR4088GND module Monitoring All s88 Modules I created two Extended Accessories s88n-16.yrz and s88n-8.yrz which can be inserted into a switchboard so at one look I can see all the s88 modules. The s88 Contacts Chart s88_contacts.bmp was created so it can be inserted as a picture in the switchboard. As an example 2k117 is a naming convention. The 2k prefix means Channel II and 117 is on s88 module m8, contact #5 Please see supplied files at the end of this document. 10

11 Monitoring All s88 Modules continued I created a switchboard called s88n Monitor and displayed it as a Tabbed Document When s88 contacts are activated the contact and pin number display red Required Properties for the Extended Accessories Name the device with a meaningful name You have to be very careful to select the correct Digital System and channel. 11

12 Extended Accessories continued Channel I Channel II Channel III For the first s88 module of each channel the Base address must have a value of 1. As the s88 modules are added to each channel you must select the correct Digital System Channel and the Base Address will increase by +1 in the serial chain for each channel. Indicator Names & Addresses 1k1 2k1 3k1 1k17 Statistics: Rudolf is using 24x s88n modules (16 inputs each) a total of 384 indicators. Supplied files contained in s88n_files.zip are s88n-8.yrz, s88-16.yrz and s88_contacts.bmp This document may change as I learn more about the operation of the μcon-s88-master with TrainController. As always enjoy your model trains. 12