Lenz Digital Plus LZV100 User manual

LZV100 Command/Power Station 1
Unleashing the
Power of DCC
LZV100
Command/Power Station
Operations Manual
Version 3.4
December 2002
Submitted to the NMRA for
formal C&I testing.
Warrant pending

LZV100 Command/Power Station 2
2
Welcome!
We would like to congratulate you on your acquisition of the
Digital plus by Lenz®system and we hope you will enjoy working
with this model-railway control system. Thank you for being our
new customer!
The purpose of this operating manual is to explain the use of the
system and its components. In order to proceed as quickly as
possible to the pleasure of operating your model railway with
DCC, begin by reading the section "First Steps". After you have
operated your first train you will be better able to follow the step by
step description of your system’s entire range of functions. It is
not necessary to understand or use all the system's features.
Select the set of features you are comfortable with and enjoy your
model railroad.
If you still have questions after reading this operating manual, for
which you can not find the answers, please contact us. We will be
happy to help. There are four different ways of contacting Lenz
Elektronik GmbH:
Europe North America
Postal
address:
Lenz Elektronik GmbH
Huettenbergstrasse 29
D-35398 Giessen
Lenz Agency
PO Box 143
Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone ++49 (0) 6403 900 133 ++1 978 250 1494
Fax ++49 (0) 6403 900 155 ++1 978 455 LENZ
Email [email protected] [email protected]
Do you have everything?
Please check, to ensure that all the components of the LZV100
have been delivered:
LZV100 – Command Station/Power Station (Booster)
one 5- terminal, one 4 terminal and one 3-terminal green
connector attached to the rear of the LZV100
one 4-terminal black connector attached to the rear of the
LZV100
operating manual (this booklet)
If an item is missing, please contact your retailer to have the
missing item replaced.
In order to use the LZV100 you will also need an XpressNet
handheld and a suitable transformer for powering the LZV100.

LZV100 Command/Power Station 3
1 Important information — Please read first!
Your LZV100 command/power station is the central component of
your Digital plus by Lenz®system and was submitted to
intensive testing before delivery. Lenz Elektronik GmbH
guarantees fault-free operation if you follow the advice given
below:
)Do not connect the LZV100 to any device not addressed in
this manual. Even if other devices use the same connectors,
you must not operate the LZV100 with those devices. The
fact that the connectors are similar does not automatically
mean that you may use them for operation, even if you are
dealing with other model railroad control systems.
Do not expose the LZV100 to moisture or direct sunlight.
1.1 Notations and symbols:
Cross references:
(Öp. 23)
This arrow points you to a particular page in this operation
manual, where you will find additional information about
the subject at hand.
Important notes:
)Text marked with this symbol and frame
contains especially important information and tips.
)If you have problems,
please first check this operation manual to see if you may
have missed a direction for use. The table of contents and
especially the section “Troubleshooting” will help.

LZV100 Command/Power Station 4
4
2 Contents
1Important information — Please read first! 3
1.1 Notations and symbols: 3
2Contents 4
3Quick Start Users Guide 5
3.1 Connection and initial operation 5
4System architecture of your DIGITAL plus system 7
4.1 LZV100 Command Station 9
5Installing the LZV100 11
5.1 Power Plug (UVJK⊥) 11
5.2 Power Station Interface Plug (CDE) 12
5.3 Programming Track Feedback bus Plug (PQRS) 12
5.4 XpressNet plug (LMAB) 13
5.5 XpressNet 5-pin Din Connection 13
6Configuring the LZV100 14
6.1 System Reset 14
6.2 Auto mode/Manual Mode 14
6.3 Configuring the LZV100 power station 15
7Operation considerations 17
7.1 Achieving the maximum LZV100 DCC track power 17
7.2 The LZV100 locomotive database 19
8Expanding Your Digital plus DCC system 20
8.1 Adding XpressNet to allow additional input devices 20
8.2 More power through more power stations 21
8.3 Adding a Layout Feedback Bus 23
8.4 Using RailCom 23
9Installing XpressNet 24
9.1 Using 5 pin Din Plugs 24
9.2 Using Modular Plugs 25
9.3 Using the LA152 26
9.4 XpressNet Wiring 27
10 Layout Wiring considerations 28
10.1 What is a Common? 28
10.2 Common Rail Wiring 29
10.3 Two rail wiring (Direct Home Wiring) 29
10.4 Common transformer 29
10.5 Mixing Digital and Analog Operations 29
10.6 Connecting a reverse loop 30
11 Connecting the LZV100 to Other Manufacturer’s Power Stations
(Boosters) 32
12 Troubleshooting the LZV100 33
13 Radio And Television Interference 35
14 North American Warranty 36

LZV100 Command/Power Station 5
3 Quick Start Users Guide
In this section you will learn about:
- the few steps that you need to know to operate your
Digital plus by Lenz NMRA DCC model railroad control
system.
- how to operate your first train.
In the later sections, the whole range of functions of the LZV100
will be explained in detail.
3.1 Connection and
initial operation
1. Plug the 5 pin din plug at
the end of the LH100 o
r
LH90 cord into the 5 pin
din socket that is located
on the rear of the
LZV100
2. Connect terminals Jand Kof the
LZV100 power station to the tracks of
your model railway. You can pull off
the green terminal connectors on the
back of the LZV100. This will facilitate
the installation of cables. Make sure
that no other transformers or
operating controllers are connected to
the tracks.
3. For a quick start, connect terminals Uand Vof the LZV100 to
any model railway transformer with a 14-18 VAC voltage. Fo
r
initial operation virtually any transformer with a current rating o
f
greater than 1 amp will work. To operate the maximum
number of locomotives a transformer with a minimum capacity
of 6 to 8 Amp transformer should be used for the LZV100.
See (Öp. 17) for more details on suitable transformers.

LZV100 Command/Power Station 6
6
UVJK
R
LMAB CDE
SPQ
LZV100
XpressNet
To
Transformer
To Track
4. Put the locomotive which is equipped with
the locomotive decoder onto the track. (refer
to the instructions that came with the
decoder for installation instructions)
5. Plug the power cord of the transformer into
a wall socket. The display on your LH100
or LH90 lights up and the red led's on the
LZV100 turns on solid red.
You can now start operating trains!
(Yes, already!)
)Refer to the “Operating
your first train” in the front of
your handheld manual for
complete instructions on how to
use your new handheld to
operate your first train.

LZV100 Command/Power Station 7
4 System architecture of your DIGITAL plus
system
The LZV100 is the central hub in your NMRA DCC DIGITAL plus
system. DIGITAL plus is a digital multi-train control system for all
model railroad scales developed in close cooperation with model
railroaders worldwide. Figure 1 shows the simple and clear
system design of DIGITAL plus.
DIGITAL plus is compatible with NMRA-DCC systems and their
locomotive and accessory decoders. It is also compatible with all
XpressNet certified handhelds or other system devices. If you
have an older NMRA DCC system, you can use this older system
as a handheld using the Translation Module LC100.
The capabilities of DIGITAL plus are to a large extent determined
by a program running inside the unit, the software. Version 3 is
our 4th major system release.
)The advantage of this approach is that new
functions can be adopted simply by changing the software. It
is not necessary to purchase new units. This way it is easier
to implement suggestions for improvements from model
railroaders.
Digital plus is designed with a non-proprietary open architecture.
Each device in this distributed architecture contains the
intelligence necessary to provide support to the external device it
is supporting. This distributed architecture provides exceptional
performance and allows us to add new capabilities without
impacting existing devices.
•XpressNet Communication Network
The heart of the Digital plus communication architecture is the
high speed state of the art network called XpressNet. XpressNet
is a distributed multi-tier network based on the worldwide RS485
standard. Each device on XpressNet contains a dedicated
microprocessor that is responsible for providing its own unique
user interface capabilities. This allows any certified XpressNet
device manufactured by any one of a number of manufacturers to
used with your Digital plus system.
XpressNet provides the peer to peer data exchange between
each input device and from each input device to the DCC signal
generator contained in the command station. The XpressNet
network consists of a 4 wire twisted pair connection. XpressNet

LZV100 Command/Power Station 8
8
may be up to 1000m (3300 feet) long and can support up to 31
simultaneous input devices. XpressNet is the highest performance
communication network in the DCC industry, providing the
modeler with exceptional growth possibilities.
Figure 1: Digital plus system overview
•Power Station Interface bus
A two or optional three wire bus connects the command station to
as many power stations (boosters) that are needed to power the
layout. The LZV100 and all Digital plus power stations are
designed to follow the proposed NMRA Power Station Interface
RP. All Digital plus power stations are optically isolated to allow
safe connection to all forms of layout wiring including common rail
wiring.
•Feedback bus
The LZV100 provides the capability for a separate 2 wire feedback
bus to provide a connecting link between command station and
feedback capable modules. A separate bus was chosen to
provide maximum performance even in the largest of layouts.

LZV100 Command/Power Station 9
4.1 LZV100 Command Station
The LZV100 has four components built in: a command station, a
power station (booster), a RailCom component, and a layout
feedback component.
4.1.1 LZV100 Comand Station Component
The core of the LZV100 is its Command Station. The LZV100
coordinates the input devices (Hand Held Controller LH100, etc.)
and is also responsible for data processing. Information is
exchanged between Command Station and input devices via a 4-
wire cable, called XpressNet.
4.1.2 LZV100 Power Station (booster) Component
The LZV100 also includes an powerful internal 5 amp power
station. The LZV100 power station provides clean and safe DCC
power to the track. New circuitry has been developed to reduce
noise, which provides exceptionally clean power to operate your
DCC equipped trains. Safety features include:
•Both short and overload detection that turns off the power to
the track whenever a short or overload condition is detected.
This protects both your trains and the LZV100 electronics.
•Opto-isolation to safely isolate your power station
interface wiring from your track wiring. This eliminates
any possibility for hidden ground loops through your
power station.
•Fail Safe runaway protection is provided by requiring a 7
volt signal on the DCC Control Bus (the C and D wires).
This prevents the LZV100 from accidentally sending out
power to the track when the command station stops
transmitting packets.
•The LZV100 has a fault detection LED located on the front
of the unit. When the power station is in use, the LED on
the front is lit. If the power is on, but no information is
being transmitted over the Power Station Interface
(connections Cand D), the LED will flash slowly. The
LED will also flash quickly when the LZV100 has detected
a short or experienced a thermal overload. It will blink
slowly when using the PQ, programming outputs and
double blink. when the power station itself is being
programmed. (Öp. 15)

LZV100 Command/Power Station 10
10
4.1.3 LZV100 RailCom Component
RailCom is the next generation of DCC. With RailCom the
decoder can communicate back information to the command
station and to the handheld device that is controlling it. The
LZV100 has a built-in RailCom detector designed to be able to
receive the information that the decoder is transmitting. For more
precise location detection additional RailCom detectors can be
added.
The NMRA DCC Working Group is still defining the transmission
protocol. To provide them more time to work this out, we have
shipped the LZV100 without this software enabled. In the spring
of 2002 this specification should stabilize at which time we will
provide a software upgrade to enable this feature.
4.1.4 Layout Feedback Component
The LZV100 also has a dedicated processor for handling layout
feedback. This optional feature enables users to install advanced
detection and signaling systems.

LZV100 Command/Power Station 11
5 Installing the LZV100
There are five plugs on the rear of your LZV100. Each is used to
connect a different feature of your system.
UVJ K
R
LMAB CDE
SPQ
XpressNet
Transformer
U,V
Track J,K Ground
Connection
Feedback bus R,S Programming track P,Q
XpressNet COnnections
5-pin DIN and L,M,A,B
Power Station
Control Bus
C,D,E
Figure 2: Complete Connections of the LZV100 Command/Power Station
5.1 Power Plug (UVJK⊥)
On the lower left hand side of the LZV100 is a 5 pin green
connector used for connecting the LZV100 to the transformer and
the track.
The LZV100 command/power station is connected to the AC
output of the transformer with 2 wires at terminals Uand V(see
Figure 2).
The track is connected to terminals Jand K(see Figure 3). Use only
wire of sufficient gauge to connect to the tracks (minimum 18 gauge)
and either use parallel wires or twist the wires to reduce radio
interference.
Figure 3: Connecting 2-rail track Connecting 3-rail track
A fifth connection labeled ‘⊥‘ on the power plug is the power
station ground. This connection can be used in some wiring
schemes to form a common between power stations. (Öp. 28)

LZV100 Command/Power Station 12
12
5.2 Power Station Interface Plug (CDE)
Terminals Cand Dtransmit the data signal needed should you
ever need additional Power Stations (LV101’s, LV200s) to expand
your DCC power. If no additional power stations are needed then
no further connection is needed using this plug. These terminals
are connected with the corresponding terminals on the Power
Station with a twisted pair wire (see Figure 2). You can easily
make a twisted pair wire from two normal single wires that you
twist together.
The terminal Econnection between to the LZV100 is optional. If
terminal Eon the Command Station is connected to terminal E on
the auxiliary Power Station, the Power Station is able to provide
feedback about overloads. If an overload occurs and terminal Eis
connected, the Command Station will then turn off all other Power
Stations and send the corresponding information to Hand Held
Controllers and other input devices. You can also use a
pushbutton to connect terminal Eto connection M. This allows the
push button to be used as a layout emergency stop.
Figure 4: Installing an emergency stop switch
5.3Programming Track Feedback bus Plug (PQRS)
The LZV100 has a separate outputs for service mode
programming. This allows the user to have full read/write
capability to any decoder. Connect the programming track to
terminals Pand Q. This track must be completely isolated from the
rest of the layout.

LZV100 Command/Power Station 13
Figure 5: Programming track installation
The feedback bus is used for advanced layout control functions.
Via these wires, which also must be a twisted pair, the Command
Station asks for the state of, for example, turnouts or track
occupancy detectors. For this purpose, feedback units are
connected to this (Accessory Decoder with Feedback LS100 or
Feedback Encoder LR101). For more details on connecting these
units, please refer to the respective manuals. If used the feedback
bus is connected at terminals Rand S.
5.4 XpressNet plug (LMAB)
The LMAB plug is designed for more permanent XpressNet
connections. The wires at terminals Aand B, are used to
exchange data, the wires at terminals L(plus) and M(minus) are
used to supply power with the XpressNet devices. For more
information on wiring XpressNet see Installing XpressNet
(Öp. 24) later in this manual.
5.5 XpressNet 5-pin Din Connection
This connection allows you to easily plug in one XpressNet device
with no further wiring. Should your XpressNet ever develop a
wiring problem, you can unplug the LMAB plug and use the Din
Connection to check out your system. If desired the entire
XpressNet can also plug into this socket.

LZV100 Command/Power Station 14
14
6 Configuring the LZV100
There are several settings that can be configured on the LZV100.
These settings can be activated from any XpressNet handheld.
6.1 System Reset
In the rare event that you desire to return the LZV100 to its factory
default condition you can perform a LZV100 Reset.
1) Set your handheld to operate locomotive 00 (the analog
locomotive) and bring that locomotive to a stop
2) Press the F4 key 25 times in succession. You may notice that
after the 20th time that a brief power interruption occurs on the
layout.
3) Remove power from the LZV100. When you next power up
the system, all memory will be returned to factory default
settings.
)all memory including knowledge of consists will be removed
from the LZV100 memory when you perform a reset
operation.
6.2 Auto mode/Manual Mode
The LZ10 has two modes of operation. In manual mode (the
default) the LZV100 activates the F0 and F1-F4 functions that
were on when the LZV100 was last shut down. In automatic
operation the speed and direction of all locomotives are also
returned to what they were when the LZV100 was last powered
down.
To reconfigure the LZV100 for automatic operation perform the
following operation.
1) Set your handheld to operate locomotive 00 (the analog
locomotive) and bring that locomotive to a stop
2) Press the F1 key 6 or more times. When next you power up
your LZV100 it will be in automatic mode.
To return the LZV100 to manual operation perform the following
operation.
1) Set your handheld to operate locomotive 00 (the analog
locomotive) and bring that locomotive to a stop
2) Press the F2 key 6 or more times. When next you power up
your LZV100 it will be in manual mode.

LZV100 Command/Power Station 15
6.3 Configuring the LZV100 power station
The DCC track voltage and several additional power station
parameters within the LZV100 can be set using ops mode
programming (POM). The sequence is a two step process. The
first step is to write a value of 50 to CV7. This activates the
programming process. The next value programmed into CV7 (if
valid) is used to indicate the new DCC track voltage. The
programming process is terminated once a new value is received
or if a new value to CV7 is not received within 15 seconds.
The following table lists the LZV100 feature set that can be
programmed using this operations mode programming (POM)
sequence.
Write to CV Effect
CV7=50, CV7=90: E-line to the LZ is activated (default)
CV7=50, CV7=91 E-line to the LZ is deactivated:
CV7=50, CV7=99: Return to default values

LZV100 Command/Power Station 16
16
The following table shows the programming sequences used to
set the DCC track voltage for the LZV100 using operations mode
programming (POM).
Write to CV7: DCC
Track Voltage
Write to CV7: DCC
Track Voltage
CV7=50,
CV7=22:
11V CV7=50,
CV7=34:
17V
CV7=50,
CV7=23:
11,5V CV7=50,
CV7=35:
17,5V
CV7=50,
CV7=24:
12V CV7=50,
CV7=36:
18V
CV7=50,
CV7=25:
12,5V CV7=50,
CV7=37:
18,5V
CV7=50,
CV7=26:
13V CV7=50,
CV7=38:
19V
CV7=50,
CV7=27:
13,5V CV7=50,
CV7=39:
19,5V
CV7=50,
CV7=28:
14V CV7=50,
CV7=40:
20V
CV7=50,
CV7=29:
14,5V CV7=50,
CV7=41:
20,5V
CV7=50,
CV7=30:
15V CV7=50,
CV7=42:
21V
CV7=50,
CV7=31:
15,5V CV7=50,
CV7=43:
21,5V
CV7=50,
CV7=32:
16V
(default)
CV7=50,
CV7=44:
22V
CV7=50,
CV7=33:
16,5V

LZV100 Command/Power Station 17
7 Operation considerations
Before use, remove all capacitors (if present) that are connected
to the track intended for interference control. A capacitor is only
needed for conventional operations to prevent radio interference.
In DCC operation a capacitor corrupts the data format and the
error free data transfer is disturbed.
It is normal for the LZV100 to get warm during operation. Ensure
sufficient airflow around the LZV100 to prevent the internal safety
circuits from activating during normal operations.
)Never allow your layout to operate without supervision!
If there is an unnoticed short, the heat build-up could
present a fire hazard!
7.1 Achieving the maximum LZV100 DCC track
power
There are several protection circuits inside the LZV100. These are
designed to shut down the track output when a short or overload
occurs. If an LZV100 has been shut down due to detecting a short
or overload, it will check to see if the overload condition has been
corrected and restart after a short delay.
1) The fast acting current limiting circuit is designed to very quickly
shut down the LZV100 track output if a short is detected. This
circuit activates at over 5 Amps.
2) Thermal overload protection. The LZV100 has a long term
thermal overload circuit designed to shut down if its temperature
exceeds its rated capacity or value.
How does this translate to the output power you can expect?
For short term loads such as locomotive start up or slow speed
operation the LZV100 can deliver over 5 amps of DCC track
power.
For long term loads, the LZV100 can continuously deliver 5 Amps
at the DCC-voltage you set, as long as the difference between
input and output voltage is low enough to prevent the LZV100
from prematurely overheating. Otherwise the thermal overload
protection will limit the power output and shut down the LZV100.

LZV100 Command/Power Station 18
18
That means you can achieve significantly more track current for
running trains with a power supply that matches best to the
LZV100s potential.
Over temperature is the most common reason that the LZV100
shuts down before a short is detected. To maximize the DCC track
output current, you need to have a transformer that puts out a
voltage that is close to the DCC track voltage under load because
any voltage above the regulated track voltage generates heat. It is
normally this heat that limits the output power of the LZV100.
In order to achieve the desired output voltage, you must use a
transformer with an output voltage that is as high as the desired
track voltage. But do not overdo it: The transformer voltage should
be matched as closely as possible to the desired track voltage.
Too high of a transformer voltage just generates unnecessary
heat loss in the power station, and this will lead to premature
triggering of the thermal overload circuit, before the maximum
output power is achieved.
7.1.1 Selecting the right transformer for your LZV100
To power your LZV100 you will need a transformer that delivers
between 14 and 16V AC under load for H0 and smaller scales.
Voltage that exceed this is wasted in excess heat, which reduces
the effective capacity of the unit. In order to make it possible for
the LZV100 power station to deliver its 5 amp rated capacity and
support a full complement of XpressNet devices, the transformer
also has to be able to deliver a amperage of at least 6A. You can
use a transformer that delivers less current, but then you will not
be able to operate as many trains. The transformers voltage must
not exceed 18V AC voltage.
The following transformers are recommended for the LZV100:
•Digital plus TR100 (order-no. 26000) (220 volts)
•Digitrax PS515 Power supply (110 volts) (DCC Track voltage
lower than 14 volts)
•Lionel Trainmaster PH1 (110 volts)
If you wish to use a different transformer, please note that it
should be a model railroad transformer with a 'UL, 'GS' or 'CE'
symbol.

LZV100 Command/Power Station 19
7.2 The LZV100 locomotive database
The LZV100 maintains a database of all locomotives operated.
The database can contain up to 256 entries. Each time you enter
a new locomotive address and provide speed or function
information the locomotive is added to the database which is
maintained between operating sessions. The database maintains
important information about the locomotive such as current state
and consist information.
This information is used by XpressNet handhelds to provide the
transparent interface and implement features such as “Smart
Consisting”. If you exceed the 256 locomotive limit the LZV100 will
initiate an error message to the handheld. If this occurs you will
need to go through the database and remove unneeded
locomotives or reset the system. Removing a locomotive from the
database will remove all knowledge of the locomotive from the
system. To remove locomotives from the LZV100 database see
your LH100 or LH90 operators manual.

LZV100 Command/Power Station 20
20
8 Expanding Your Digital plus DCC system
Transformer
LV101
LV101
LV101
LV101
Track District 1
Track District 2
Transformer
Transforme
r
LZV100
LZV100
LH100
LH200
LH90
XNETpress
XPA
Figure 6: Expanding your system
In this section you will learn:
- how to connect more input devices (handheld controls etc.) to
your system through XpressNet
- how you satisfy a larger power requirement for your model
railway by installing additional power stations.
8.1 Adding XpressNet to allow additional input
devices
Your Digital plus by Lenz ® SET has the ability to easily expand
using its support of XpressNet. XpressNet is a leading model
railroad high speed network protocol. It is based on the electronic
industry standard RS-485 hardware. The key advantages of this
protocol are its expandability and the fact that it is supported by a
growing number of Model Railroad manufacturers. For installing