LGB V200 20940 and DCC fitting

[Nighthaunt]

Hi,

Managed to finally pick up an LGB V200 (20940) from Rails of Sheffield and arriving at some point soon - comes with the 10 plug socket for decoder

I would like to fit DCC/MFX decoder - preferably MFX because use the Marklin Central Station 2 for control and having it auto recognise when on the track is ideal.

I see LGB do 55029 MFX/DCC decoder - anyone know what speaker I need (preferably massoth) to fit to cover the speaker vent in the base of the train? Best source of V200 sound files? And should I just stick with a DCC decoder instead with sound, and if so which one?

Many thanks

Alex

 

[mike]

Hi Alex, I'm not sure on the speaker..but early v200 had a fault in the motorblock that ment they would run fine on analog.. but when you fitted a chip there was a direct short blowing the chip..the buzz bars in the motor block are crossed..its a simple fix, just put them In correctly..if not its a expensive one

 

[dutchelm]

Hi Alex, I'm not sure on the speaker..but early v200 had a fault in the motorblock that ment they would run fine on analog.. but when you fitted a chip there was a direct short blowing the chip..the buzz bars in the motor block are crossed..its a simple fix, just put them In correctly..if not its a expensive one

Bin there & lost 2 decoders. Found a bloke in our model railway club who could mend them. Unfortunately he's left the club.
Lesson learned, program via track & not directly onto decoder

 

[idlemarvel]

I would have thought that the instructions would tell you the size of speaker required? If not you may have to open it up and measure it. You're going to have to open it anyway to chip it. There's nothing on the Massoth website about speaker size required unfortunately. [EDIT: found it later: 70 mm] Massoth do have a sound project for V200 but their decoders don't support mfx as you might already know.

Soundprojekte für XLS, XLS-Onboard, XLS-M1, LS, S, S PluG – Massoth Systems GmbH

www.massoth.de

You might need their 10 pin interface cable although you can make your own if you're handy with a soldering iron.

I seem to remember the default sound file on a 55029 is for the Ge4/4. There probably is Märklin sound project for V200 from their gauge 1 range but you need some extra Märklin kit to apply a new sound project if the retailer can't do it for you.

 

[LGB333]

Hi,

Managed to finally pick up an LGB V200 (20940) from Rails of Sheffield and arriving at some point soon - comes with the 10 plug socket for decoder

I would like to fit DCC/MFX decoder - preferably MFX because use the Marklin Central Station 2 for control and having it auto recognise when on the track is ideal.

I see LGB do 55029 MFX/DCC decoder - anyone know what speaker I need (preferably massoth) to fit to cover the speaker vent in the base of the train? Best source of V200 sound files? And should I just stick with a DCC decoder instead with sound, and if so which one?

Many thanks

Alex

Alex - Use the ESU 5XL Sound Decoder for the very best sound file for the V200. And the ESU 5XL is DCC and M4 capable. M4 is the same technology as mfx (Marklin and ESU developed the mfx technology together and ESU calls it M4. I sold an ESU 5XL to a hobbyist last year who installed it in his LGB V200.....contact him (Diesel2000) for the speaker size and other installation suggestions. By the way, I'd recommend you remove the factory circuit boards from your V200 and replace it with the 5XL but you'll need an ESU LokProgrammer to download and install the sound file from the ESU Website and to properly set up the decoder, dim voltage, etc.

If you want to use the LGB 55029 Retrofit mfx/dcc/dc sound decoder, you can just remove the existing MSD3 sound decoder board and replace it with the one in the Retrofit Kit. But the default sound file on the board is for an RhB GE Electric locomotive, not a diesel. To download and install a sound file into the replacement board, you can do it with your CS2 but using a Marklin Decoder Programmer Module is much faster process.

By the way, Massoth does have a speaker size guide that I've attached.....states to use a 70mm for the V200.

 

[Diesel2000]

Hi,

Managed to finally pick up an LGB V200 (20940) from Rails of Sheffield and arriving at some point soon - comes with the 10 plug socket for decoder

I would like to fit DCC/MFX decoder - preferably MFX because use the Marklin Central Station 2 for control and having it auto recognise when on the track is ideal.

I see LGB do 55029 MFX/DCC decoder - anyone know what speaker I need (preferably massoth) to fit to cover the speaker vent in the base of the train? Best source of V200 sound files? And should I just stick with a DCC decoder instead with sound, and if so which one?

Many thanks

Alex

I’ve converted a 20940 and used an ESU 5 XL, which supports M4/MFX.

Marklin produced the 23945 with an MSD3 sound decoder and I replaced it with a 5 XL, which has a MUCH better sound profile for the V200. The Marklin profile is lacking.

I highly recommend using the ESU 5 XL for the 2x94x locos. It’s sound is fantastic and it can be controlled with MFX/M4. Take a listen on the ESU site V200

These locos use a 70mm speaker

 

[Nighthaunt]

I’ve converted a 20940 and used an ESU 5 XL, which supports M4/MFX.

Marklin produced the 23945 with an MSD3 sound decoder and I replaced it with a 5 XL, which has a MUCH better sound profile for the V200. The Marklin profile is lacking.

I highly recommend using the ESU 5 XL for the 2x94x locos. It’s sound is fantastic and it can be controlled with MFX/M4. Take a listen on the ESU site V200

These locos use a 70mm speaker

Thanks for the great comments chaps - and may well be followed in the future.

Rails of Sheffield had advertised as analogue with dc sound - when arrived my ears picked up the MTS 15 sticker on one motor block - already has digital sound and DCC - not sure what exactly is installed as need to take it apart - but definitely a Brucey bonus

 

[dunnyrail]

Thanks for the great comments chaps - and may well be followed in the future.

Rails of Sheffield had advertised as analogue with dc sound - when arrived my ears picked up the MTS 15 sticker on one motor block - already has digital sound and DCC - not sure what exactly is installed as need to take it apart - but definitely a Brucey bonus

Another dealer that has poor knowledge of what they are selling. I had a loco from Hattons not that long ago that was advertised with DCC sound, turned out to be an analogue loco with sound and DCC ready. Fortunately I was able to confirm and got a rebate on the purchase price. Clearly in that case they did not know what they were looking it. I think buying from some traders one needs to take with a pinch of salt what they are saying. Would always if you can go to the shop and ask for a demonstration of running on a DCC setup. But for a lot of dealers this is not an option so they have to take things in trust from the seller. I would always trust the likes of GRS and other G scale dealers as they are likely to have a testing setup. But well worth asking the question unless the item is a good price and you are happy to upgrade to DCC if you need to.

 

[Software Tools]

when arrived my ears picked up the MTS 15 sticker on one motor block - already has digital sound and DCC

The LGB 20940 was MTS/DCC ready (that is, it has the right interface connection for a decoder) which is why it has a sticker, however it did not come with a decoder installed.

 

[Ollyman66]

Hi,

Managed to finally pick up an LGB V200 (20940) from Rails of Sheffield and arriving at some point soon - comes with the 10 plug socket for decoder

I would like to fit DCC/MFX decoder - preferably MFX because use the Marklin Central Station 2 for control and having it auto recognise when on the track is ideal.

I see LGB do 55029 MFX/DCC decoder - anyone know what speaker I need (preferably massoth) to fit to cover the speaker vent in the base of the train? Best source of V200 sound files? And should I just stick with a DCC decoder instead with sound, and if so which one?

Many thanks

Alex

Hello Alex,

Did Rails of Sheffield find a second hand V200 for you?
I’m also looking for one, hopefully with DCC already installed and gearboxes intact.

Do you know if early V200 were German built and later ones made in China?

I have included a photo of a V200 that l purchased two years ago on eBay.
Unfortunately it turned out to have two worn out gearboxes after being listed in excellent condition.
It was promptly returned to the seller.

Regards

Oliver.

 

[Nighthaunt]

Apologies been a while (and apologies for necroing thread).

Oliver - they did, I’ve not actually ever got round to opening it (work has been manic, changed job and then got even busier).

To everyone on the advice - it’s really appreciated and I’m hoping to have some time now to take to sort out and open the unit (also picked up a 20950 which will be looking to digitise (hopefully 4 pole connections on motor as 1993+) - I see things have changed with even Piko DCC now M4 compatible.

Alex