LGB 55029 Retrofit Sound Decoder for older models with current programming

[POLO_Train]

Hello everyone,

I am about ready to build my new outdoor layout after years of collecting and clearing my back yard to be able to build the layout.
I live on a hill with a decent grade on it, and I bought the new LGB 23101 with new COG gears for it. I did buy the CS3 to manage the 23101 and I am looking to upgrade all my older LGB RhB engines. The older engines will require a rewire because their motor blocks are old "D" style. I am okay with the disassembly and rewire to get them capable of having a new decoder installed in them.

I wish to add a LGB MFX decoder to the older engines 2040, 2043, 2044, 2140, 2046, and 21330.

How do I find some good information on wiring and software programming with the older engines so that they will be able to be controlled with CS3 with more recent decoder firmware?
For example:
If I rewire my 2040 or 2043 with the LGB 55029 retrofit sound decoder and land the lights with the appriopiate terminals, can I download the latest LGB 23406 decoder firmware/software so that it sounds and lights the same way?

I have not been able to find much information on it. I figure this must not be a common question or resonable request, but I will try.

Thank you for the help,
Mark

 

[Diesel2000]

For example:
If I rewire my 2040 or 2043 with the LGB 55029 retrofit sound decoder and land the lights with the appriopiate terminals, can I download the latest LGB 23406 decoder firmware/software so that it sounds and lights the same way?

I have not been able to find much information on it. I figure this must not be a common question or resonable request, but I will try.

Yes you can do exactly that - download the 23406 sound file and install it into onto a 55029 retrofit decoder. Whats nice is you get all the motor settings pre-configured. I recommend using the mDecoder Tool along with the 60971 programmer and 55129 adapter board to load sound files. It will take seconds to load vs 30+ minutes through the CS3. Once loaded and installed you can make configuration changes through the CS3 interface. The current sound files for those locos are all really good with up to 30 function sounds. You can even load any of the sounds from the sound file library to customize if you want. I really like ESU sound files and decoders, but they dont have this capability.

The wiring is pretty straightforward on the 55029 adapter board, although it does not use the standard 2, 3, and 4 pin sockets. You have to solder directly to the adapter board. One thing to note is that the terminals are all full track power, so make sure you achieve the proper voltage needed for lights before connecting either by reducing voltage to the output on the decoder or installing resistors.

I've done 3 or 4 conversions using the 55029 - 21272, 20390, and 21471. The RhB railcar was the easiest of the lot.

 

[POLO_Train]

Yes you can do exactly that - download the 23406 sound file and install it into onto a 55029 retrofit decoder. Whats nice is you get all the motor settings pre-configured. I recommend using the mDecoder Tool along with the 60971 programmer and 55129 adapter board to load sound files. It will take seconds to load vs 30+ minutes through the CS3. Once loaded and installed you can make configuration changes through the CS3 interface. The current sound files for those locos are all really good with up to 30 function sounds. You can even load any of the sounds from the sound file library to customize if you want. I really like ESU sound files and decoders, but they dont have this capability.

The wiring is pretty straightforward on the 55029 adapter board, although it does not use the standard 2, 3, and 4 pin sockets. You have to solder directly to the adapter board. One thing to note is that the terminals are all full track power, so make sure you achieve the proper voltage needed for lights before connecting either by reducing voltage to the output on the decoder or installing resistors.

I've done 3 or 4 conversions using the 55029 - 21272, 20390, and 21471. The RhB railcar was the easiest of the lot.

Thank you very much!
I was hoping that that was the solution.
I was not searching for the right words and I could not find that answer easily.

Did you change out your lights or leave the existing with the appropriate resistors?

 

[Diesel2000]

Thank you very much!
I was hoping that that was the solution.
I was not searching for the right words and I could not find that answer easily.

Did you change out your lights or leave the existing with the appropriate resistors?

I always change out lights to LEDs on my conversions. I like to use a buck converter to set the voltage for all LEDs. In order to do this you need to wire it to one of the outputs and then configure that output to turn on with any of light functions. It saves a lot of individual resistor wiring for each lighting function.