Lenz Digital plus LE010XF User manual

Locomotive decoder LE010XF 1
DIGITAL plus
The industry's first truly universal N Scale decoder that is at home on
all NMRA DCC systems. The characteristics of the decoder are:
∗Precision back EMF motor control for exceptional performance.
∗Selectable for operation with 14/27, 28/55, 128 direct drive or 128 speed
table mode with precision glide motor control.
∗Directional Headlights can also be dimmed using an extra function.
∗Support for Advanced Consist Control and Extended Addressing
∗Operation is possible on conventional DC layouts with a peak output of 14
volts DC. This feature may be disabled.
∗Full Support for operations mode programming (long and short) and full
support for all forms of programming as described in NMRA RP-9.2.3
∗Rich set of properties which the user can set to customize the decoder to a
particular locomotive.
∗Provides 0.5A continuous motor current.
∗Size L 0.51" x W 0.36" x H 0.14"
L 13.0mm x W 9.1mm x H 3.6mm
LE010XF
Micro Back EMF DCC Decoder
Art. No. 10010
Version 5.2
Revised 2/01

2Locomotive decoder LE010XF
DIGITAL plus
The LE010XF Micro Decoder
The LE010XF represents a whole new concept to the evolution of
DCC. Not only is the LE010XF designed to use with our own
DIGITAL plus system, it is also designed to be at home on all the
other popular NMRA DCC systems. To accomplish this we first
designed a decoder to be in full conformance to the NMRA
Standards and RPs and then augmented the decoder to work well
with all other major systems on the market.
Although the LE010XF has a low price, it is packed with all the
features you expect in a high end decoder. Independent or
directional lighting (that can be dimmed using a function), advanced
consist control, extended addressing, operations mode
programming and full support for all the various speed step modes
including 128 step motor control, are but a few examples of the
advanced features found in the LE010XF.
The NMRA awards its prestigious C&I label to products it has tested
and found to be in full compliance with all NMRA DCC Standards,
Recommended Practices and industry norms. The LE077XF
decoder has been awarded an NMRA C&I Warrant.
Many characteristics of the LE010XF decoder can be programmed
to customize the decoder to its locomotive. Please read “The
Configuration Variables and Their Meanings” section later in this
booklet for details on the configuration variables supported by the
LE010XF. The LE010XF supports all forms of programming
described in NMRA Recommended Practice 9.2.3 including the user
friendly direct CV programming mode and the operations mode
programming so that you can adjust values while the locomotive is
in use. For example, you can operate the decoder with the factory
pre-set speed table or generate your own. You can set which end of
the locomotive is the forward end. You can even decide whether or
not you want to be able to operate on conventional DC layouts.

Locomotive decoder LE010XF 3
DIGITAL plus
Back EMF Control
The LE010 uses a form of motor control called "back emf" control.
All DC motors produce a small amount of current when they are
rotating. The amount of current produced is a function of the load
that the motor is controlling. The LE010 measures this current and
is able to adjust the current to the motor based upon the motor load.
The result is exceptionally fine motor control that is extremely
smooth and quiet.
Preparing to Install the LE010XF
The locomotive must be tested for excellent operation on normal DC
power before installing the decoder. Replace worn out motor
brushes and burned out light bulbs. Clean any dirt or oxidation from
the wheels and pickups, and make sure that electrical contact is
smooth. Now is also a good time to lubricate your locomotive. A
locomotive that runs well under DC will run exceptionally well under
DCC.
Take note which motor brush is connected to the right rail and which
to the left rail. This information allows you to connect the decoder to
the motor with the correct polarity.
The LE010XF is quite small and will fit into most N and Z
locomotives even those with narrow hoods.
Some advice on the current draw of the decoder
output:
The current for all the decoder outputs is supplied by an internal
rectifier with a maximum current rating of 0.5 Amps. The sum of all
currents to the motor and the function outputs cannot exceed this
limit. Each individual output can only draw up to it's limit.
Example:
Suppose the motor may require as much as 0.45 A continuously.
Then the function output must not exceed 0.05 A.
Some advice on installing the decoder:
Although the LE010XF has many internal safeguards to prevent
damage, you must not allow any metal part of the locomotive to

4Locomotive decoder LE010XF
DIGITAL plus
touch the surface components of the decoder. This could cause a
direct internal short circuit and the decoder will be destroyed.
DO NOT WRAP decoder with electrical tape or shrink wrap!
Doing so will impede air circulation and degrade the performance of
the decoder. Instead, put electrician tape over any part of the
locomotive frame or body that might touch the decoder and use
double sided foam mounting tape to mount the decoder. This will
prevent short circuits without 'suffocating' the decoder.
The existing shrink wrap over a part of the locomotive decoder
protects static sensitive parts and must not be removed. After
disconnecting the wiring from the motor brushes, the brushes MUST
be isolated from the rail pickup. Achieving isolation may require
some different approaches on different locomotives, perhaps
unsoldering wires, placing a thin piece of insulating plastic between
brush terminal and contact spring. In other words, after isolation,
there must be NO electrical contact between the motor and
the rail pickup. If you have a VOM, check for infinite resistance
between the motor and all the wheels. Take special note that metal
contact might occur only when the loco body is reinstalled.
The LE010XF can not be set up for simultaneous use for 2-rail
pickup and overhead cantenary or trolley operation. If the
locomotive is turned the wrong way, the decoder could get twice the
track voltage which would destroy it!
Wiring Options
There are two wiring options for installing the LE010XF, depending
on how the locomotive is constructed. The two functions could be
connected with their common to the track voltage as shown in
Figure 1, or, use the decoders floating common as shown in Figure
2. A mixture of both options is also possible. Note that only
traditional reversing headlights are supported.
If the bulbs for the headlights are floating (isolated against wheel
pick up and chassis) and connected according to Figure 2, they will
shine brighter compared to the option shown to Figure 1.
Furthermore, the directional headlights will function while operating
on conventional DC layouts.

Locomotive decoder LE010XF 5
DIGITAL plus
Step by Step Installation
Two wires connect the decoder to the motor. Make sure that the
motor is electrically isolated from both track pickups:
•Orange wire to the motor terminal that was
previously connected to the right rail (Pin #1).
•Gray wire to the motor terminal that was previously
connected to the left rail (Pin #5).
Two wires connect the decoder to the track electrical pickups:
•Red wire to right rail pickup (Pin #8).
•Black wire to the left rail pickup (Pin #4).
Figure 1: Wiring the LE010XF using track voltage common
Three wires connect the headlights and functions to the decoder:
•White wire (Pin #6) to the forward headlight with a max load of
100ma. If the bulb is isolated, connect the blue wire (Pin #7) to
the other terminal.
•Yellow wire (Pin #2) to the rear headlight with a max load of
100ma. If the bulb or function is isolated, then connect the blue
wire (Pin #7) to the other terminal.
Place the locomotive (without the body) on the programming track
and read back the locomotive's address from the decoder. If the

6Locomotive decoder LE010XF
DIGITAL plus
decoder is properly installed, you will be able to read back the
factory pre-set address 03. Remove the locomotive from the track,
and if necessary correct any wiring errors.
If the bulbs are isolated, connect the blue wire to their common
point as shown in Figure 2. Now you are ready to program the
locomotive address and begin test running.
Figure 2: Wiring the LE010XF using a floating common.
Programming the locomotive decoder
LE010XF
Many features such as the locomotive's address, acceleration and
configuration can be customized to the individual locomotive that the
decoder is installed in. The properties will be saved in non-volatile
memory locations on the locomotive decoder so they retain their
value even after the power has been removed for years. The values
are set electronically, which means that the locomotive does not
need to be opened after initial installation of the decoder to read or
later modify any CV value. These memory locations are called
"Configuration Variables, or CVs" by the NMRA. The LE010XF has a
total of 128 CVs. Not all of them are used at this time as many are
reserved for future use.

Locomotive decoder LE010XF 7
DIGITAL plus
Any NMRA DCC Command Station, such as the DIGITAL plus
LZ100 with a Hand Held LH100, LH200 or an Interface LI100, can be
used to program the locomotive decoder LE010XF. The LE010XF
supports all modes and can be programmed by all NMRA DCC
systems. If your command station supports it, each of the CVs can
be read on the programming track. The CVs can be changed on the
programming track or on the layout using operations mode
programming. Specific details for reading and writing the decoder’s
configuration variables can be found in the manuals of the
appropriate equipment.
The configuration variables and their meaning
The following table lists the various CVs supported in the LE010XF
decoder. Both the New CV numbers and the older Register
numbers are provided for cross reference.
Please note: Some CVs (such as CV29) have specific meanings for
each bit. The bit assignments in this table use a bit numbering
scheme of 0-7 to correspond the NMRA convention for universal bit
numbering. DIGITAL plus LH100 and LH200 handhelds use a
scheme of 1-8 to refer to the individual bits rather than 0-7. (Bit 0 in
this table is displayed as a"1" on LH100 handheld, Bit 1 is identified
as "2"...)The bit numbers in () within these tables contain the
LH100 and LH200 bit numbers.
Table 1: LE010XF Configuration Variables
CV R
e
g
Description Range Factory
setting
1 1 Locomotive address:
This is the number with which you select a
locomotive in the DIGITAL plus system.
Setting the address from #1 to #3 using
register mode will reset the decoder to utilize
14 speed step operation.
1-127 3
2 2 Start voltage:
This is the voltage applied to the motor in
speed step 1. Set this value so that the
locomotive just starts moving in speed step 1.
0-31 0
**Note: in the factory setting field the numbers in the [ ] are decimal.

8Locomotive decoder LE010XF
DIGITAL plus
CV RDescription Range Setting
3 3 Acceleration Momentum:
Determines the rate of change of speed upon
acceleration. A higher value leads to a slower
acceleration.
1-31 1
4 4 Brake Momentum:
Determines the rate of change of speed upon
braking. A higher value leads to longer brake
distance.
1-31 1
5-Maximum speed
Determines the maximum speed that the
locomotive will move. This allows you to
operate your locomotives in a prototypical
speed range.
1-10 10
-5Contains CV29 (see CV29 below) 0-55 6
-6Page Register:
Normally this CV is not modified directly by a
user. For correct operation, this CV should be
set to have a value of 1 after any use.
0-127 1
7 7 Version Number:
This location stores the version number of the
decoder. This location is read only.
-52
8 8 Manufacturers Identification / Factory
reset
This value is the manufacturer ID of the decoder,
(Lenz =99). Writing a value of 33 using Register
mode resets all CVs to their factory condition
-99
17 -Extended Address High Byte 192-
231 0
18 -Extended Address Low Byte
The two byte address if used is contained in
CV17+18
0-255 0
19 Consist Address
The advanced consist address if used is stored in
CV19
0-255 0
29 Decoder Configuration, Byte 1:
Several decoder properties are set with this byte.
Changes are easiest if done in binary mode, but can
also be done by adding the decimal () for all the
features desired together and writing the total into
CV29. The detailed properties are:
0-55 6

Locomotive decoder LE010XF 9
DIGITAL plus
CV Description Range Setting
29 bit 0
(1)
locomotive direction:
Locomotive’s relative direction: This bit sets
the direction the locomotive will move when
told to move forward in digital mode.
0 = locomotive’s direction is normal
1 = locomotive’s direction is inverted
0,1 0
[1]
bit 1
(2)
Headlight mode:
0 = Operation with 14 or 27 speed step
systems. This setting is selected when the
locomotive decoder is used with any Digital
system that does not support 28 speed step
mode. If the headlights turn on and off as
the speed is increased, the command station
is configured for 28 speed step mode, and
the decoder is in 14 speed step mode.
1 = Operation with 28, 55 or 128 speed
steps. If you use this setting, the Command
Station must also be configured to use 28
speed step mode or 128 speed step mode
for the decoder's address, otherwise the
headlights can not be controlled.
0,1 1
[2]
bit 2
(3)
Usage on conventional DC layouts:
0 = locomotive operates in digital mode only
1 = locomotive can operate on either
conventional DC and on DCC
0,1 1
[4]
bit 3 always 0 0 0
bit 4
(5)
Speed Curve Selection:
0 = factory pre-set speed curve is used
1 = user defined speed curve is used.
Please enter the appropriate values into CV
67 to 94 before setting this bit.
0,1 0
[16]
bit 5
(6) Extended Addressing: 0= Normal addressing
1=Two Byte extended addressing
0-1 0
[32]
bit 6
bit 7 always 0 0 0
50 Decoder Configuration, byte 2:
Similar to CV 29, but used to set other properties 1
bit 0
(1) Back EMF Control
If set back emf control is active
0,1 1
bits
2-7 not used

10 Locomotive decoder LE010XF
DIGITAL plus
CV Description Range Setting
51 Lighting Special Effects for Outputs A and B 0
bit 0
(1) 0 = the headlights are directional.
1 = not used 0,1 0
[1]
bit 1
(2) 0 = function dimming disabled
1 = the value in CV52 is used for
headlight/function dimming.
0,1 0
[2]
bit 2
(3) If CV51.0 = 0 and CV51.1 =1 (directional dimming) then F1 dims the forward headlight if
on.
0,1 0
[4]
bit 3
(4) If CV51.0 = 0 and CV51.1 =1 (directional dimming) then F1 dims the rear headlight if on. 0,1 0 [8]
bits 4-7 Not used
52 Dimming CV - contains the value used for dimming.
0 is dark 255 is max brightness 0-255 64
CV Description Range Setting
67 to
94` Values for user defined speed curve: These registers are used for a user defined speed
curve. The factory setting for these registers is
shown in the following speed curve table. The
value in each CV determines the velocity of the
locomotive for each assigned speed step:
For the 14 speed step mode the odd CVs are used
If you are using 128 speed step mode and you have
activated the user defined speed table, the
intermediate speed steps are calculated by the
decoder.
0-255 Factory
Default
Speed
Curve
105 User Identification #1 0-255 255
106 User Identification #2 0-255 255
128 Decoder Software Version – read only 02

Locomotive decoder LE010XF 11
DIGITAL plus
Creating a Speed Curve
One common feature is to set a specific operating speed curve for
your locomotives. This is usually done to have dissimilar
locomotives have the same performance characteristics or to have
the locomotives perform more prototypically. Start by writing down
how you want to assign the internal speed settings to the speed
steps, for example by making up a table as shown below.
Note: CV2 (Start Voltage) is still used as part of the calculation even
when the decoder is in User Defined Speed Curve mode.
Speed step
in 14/27
mode
Speed step
in 28 mode Default speed setting CV / register
1 1 4 67
2 8 68
2 3 12 69
4 16 70
3 5 20 71
6 24 72
4 7 28 73
8 33 74
5 9 38 75
10 43 76
6 11 48 77
12 53 78
7 13 60 79
14 67 80
8 15 74 81
16 82 82
9 17 90 83
18 98 84
10 19 106 85
20 115 86
11 21 125 87
22 137 88
12 23 152 89
24 178 90
13 25 194 91
26 212 92
14 27 232 93
-28 255 94
In 128 speed step mode the decoder internally averages the speed
table to obtain the correct speed step value.

12 Locomotive decoder LE010XF
DIGITAL plus
North American Warranty
Lenz GmbH does everything it can do to ensure that its products are free from
defects and will operate for the life of your model railroad equipment. From time
to time even the best engineered products fail either due to a faulty part or from
accidental mistakes in installation. To protect your investment in Digital Plus
products. Lenz GmbH offers a very aggressive 10 year Limited Warranty.
This warranty is not valid if the user has altered, intentionally misused the Digital
Plus product, or removed the product's protection, for example the heat shrink
from decoders and other devices. In this case a service charge will be applied
for all repairs or replacements. Should the user desire to alter a Digital Plus
Product, they should contact Lenz GmbH for prior authorization.
Year One:A full repair or replacement will be provided to the original purchaser
for any item that that has failed due to manufacturer defects or failures caused by
accidental user installation problems. Should the item no longer be produced and the
item is not repairable, a similar item will be substituted at the manufacturers
discretion. The user must pay for shipping to an authorized Lenz GmbH warranty
center.
Year 2 and 3:A full replacement for any item will be provided that has failed due
to manufacturer defects. If the failure was caused by accidental user installation or
use, a minimal service charge may be imposed. Should the item no longer be
produced and the item is not repairable, a similar item will be substituted at the
manufacturers discretion. The user must pay shipping to and from the authorized
Lenz GmbH warranty center during this portion of the warranty period.
Year 4-10:A minimal service charge will be placed on each item that has failed due
to manufacturer defects and/or accidental user installation problems. Should the item
no longer be produced and the item is not repairable, a similar item will be substituted
at the manufacturers discretion. The user must pay shipping to and from the
authorized Lenz GmbH warranty center during this portion of the warranty period.
Please contact your dealer or authorized Lenz GmbH warranty center for specific
instructions and current service charges prior to returning any equipment for repair.
Hüttenbergstraße 29
35398 Gießen, Germany
Hotline: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.digital-plus.de
http://www.lenz.com
Lenz Agency of North America
PO Box 143
Chelmsford, MA 01824
ph: 978 250 1494
fax: 978 455 LENZ
[email protected]
This equipment complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
Please save this manual for future reference!
© 2001 Lenz GmbH, All Rights Reserved