Does my LGB 21852 Mallet have a decoder?

ntpntpntp said:
Like wot I said in post #3 :D
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Hi Nick and Phil,

I don't really have a layout yet. I did set up a few feet of straight track and initially there were several sounds that came out of the loco but now there's just the pump sound (I believe) so I can't tell if there's a buzzing or not. And this is with the 55005p set to MTS mode and also in analog mode. I am planning on setting up a temporary oval in the living room and at least run this loco around a few times. But first things first (see next post).

Cheers,
John
 
Zerogee said:
Just another quick question, if you haven't yet got round to opening the loco up - can you tell us (or better still, post a photo) what other stickers/labels are on the underside of the loco, aside from the gold "OK" sticker with the build date? Is there a round black or silver sticker with a number of dots on it, by any chance?

Jon.
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No other stickers on the bottom (besides the OK sticker). But my screwdrivers arrived (Amazon Prime is nice when you're in a hurry) and after removing both air tanks to get access to the last of 7, hidden front screw, I can see the attached. Looks like no decoder at all but "DCC ready" if I understand your before and after shots the other day. Correct?

IMG_7398.jpg
 
Yep! - DCC ready..

Everything you need is top-left:
The set of DIP switches, the group of eight pins (track and motor), the 6-pin connector just below them.

PhilP.
 
Yes, as Phil says - looks just like mine inside, which is a good sign! All ready to have a decoder fitted, whatever type you want to use. For simplicity of installation and operation I'd personally recommend a Massoth XL like I used, because of their close ties with LGB and high degree of compatibility with your MTS system, but as you're in the US you MAY prefer a different brand - although I believe there is some support for Massoth over your side of the Pond, I don't think there is as much backup for them as in Europe. Whatever make you go with, you need a driving-only decoder that is suitable for running a 2-motor loco, which means a power handling capacity of 3amp minimum; you'll also need to get one of the LGB or Massoth 6-pin interface cables. Then it's just a matter of connecting a few wires!

Jon.
 
The 2085D was a DC only loco, 3 wire motor block. The 21852 was a DC ready loco meaning add a decoder and change all 6 switches to disconnect the motors from track power.
 
Zerogee said:
Yes, as Phil says - looks just like mine inside, which is a good sign! All ready to have a decoder fitted, whatever type you want to use. For simplicity of installation and operation I'd personally recommend a Massoth XL like I used, because of their close ties with LGB and high degree of compatibility with your MTS system, but as you're in the US you MAY prefer a different brand - although I believe there is some support for Massoth over your side of the Pond, I don't think there is as much backup for them as in Europe. Whatever make you go with, you need a driving-only decoder that is suitable for running a 2-motor loco, which means a power handling capacity of 3amp minimum; you'll also need to get one of the LGB or Massoth 6-pin interface cables. Then it's just a matter of connecting a few wires!

Jon.
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Yes, I’m fortunate that this model is DCC ready. I think that I should stick with Massoth to help insure compatibility with my LGB “MTS capable” components.

Are you able to invoke various sounds via your remote or does the Massoth XL only control power (movement)? I understand that with some of the later LGB locos that support MTS sound, you can “invoke” the different sounds via functions. Would that be possible with my existing sound board and the Massoth XL (or with the Massoth XLS)?

Cheers,
John
 
samogrr said:
Yes, I’m fortunate that this model is DCC ready. I think that I should stick with Massoth to help insure compatibility with my LGB “MTS capable” components.

Are you able to invoke various sounds via your remote or does the Massoth XL only control power (movement)? I understand that with some of the later LGB locos that support MTS sound, you can “invoke” the different sounds via functions. Would that be possible with my existing sound board and the Massoth XL (or with the Massoth XLS)?

Cheers,
John
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You don't need an XLS unless you're planning on ripping out the existing serial sound board in the loco and using the XLS as a complete replacement (which is a perfectly valid option) - just an XL will do fine, and you will have full DCC control over things like whistle, bell etc. The only difference you may notice is that there may be a second or so of delay between pressing a button and actually getting the sound, while the XL generates the necessary string of serial pulses to control the factory sound board.

I can't remember if I had to change any settings on the XL in mine to get it to operate the serial sound board correctly - I don't recall having to do so, but I'm sure someone else on here can confirm what (if anything) you have to change. Probably the easiest way would be, when you buy your decoder, tell the supplier that you need to connect it to an old LGB serial sound board of late '90s vintage - if the supplier knows his stuff, he should be able to set the decoder up for you so all you have to do is plug it in.

Can anyone else weigh in here to confirm or correct me on this?

Jon.
 
You should be able to use a eMotion XL for that loco (if you can get one - they are like rocking horse sh*t at the moment) - you should be able to control some sounds on the sound board if you enable the "Fast Serial Pulse" feature on output A1 and "Serial command processing" - this will allow the A1 output to send simple requests to the sound electronics.
 
Thanks, Jon. Having DCC control over which sounds to play, and when, will be perfect.

And thank you, Mark, for chiming in.

I’ll try to find a Massoth XL over here and install it when it arrives.

Cheers,
John
 
Change in plans. Have been doing some homework regarding DCC control and especially sound capabilities. And a shoutout with many thanks to Greg and his www.elmassian.com site. I also have a couple of other LGB locomotives, one with MTS I and the other with MTS II.

So rather than getting a Massoth XL per my previous post, I’ve been looking at their XLS and the ability to load different sounds (am staring to post in our Sound section). What I’d really like is to be able to play any custom sound (or “recorded” sound) that I’d like. I may have found a way to do that with WAV Trigger from robertsonics.

Cheers,
John
 
Hello all,

Just been reading the above as im looking at putting chips into one of these locos (got the Brown one and Black one), I was going to put 2 Massoth L chips into the locos but it suggested using a XL as easier ? as in Zerogee post,

Correct me if im wrong (probably am) but the decoder wires go onto the prongs (or whatever you want to call them) by the dip switches so why do I need the 6 pin interface cable ?

Also in the picture with the XL it looks to have wires going to both sets of prongs for the 2 motors and the it looks like the wires from the 6 pin interface cable are also connected ?, Why ?,

Any help will most appreciated, Many Thanks to all.
 
The 'L' decoders are limited in current, so you use one for each motor..

The 6-pin cable connects to one of the decoders, and controls the lights and smoke unit.

PhilP
 
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