Lenz Digital Plus LE103XF User manual

Locomotive decoder LE103XF 1
DIGITAL plus
The industry's first truly universal decoder that is at home on all
NMRA DCC systems. The characteristics of the decoder are:
∗Selectable for operation with 14/27, 28/55, 128 direct drive or 128 speed table
mode with precision glide motor control.
∗Two on/off function outputs with a current rating of 200 mA that can be
configured for either directional lighting, full Rule 17 lighting, or lights and F1
∗Headlights can also be dimmed using an extra function.
∗Support for Advanced Consist Control and Extended Addressing
∗Operation on conventional DC layouts is possible. 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 1A continuous motor current.
∗Size L 1.52" x W 0.67" x H 0.13"
L 40.5mm x W 17mm x H 3.3mm
LE103XF
Universal DCC Decoder
Art. No. 10113
Revised 2/99
NMRA Warrant 98-82

2Locomotive decoder LE103XF
DIGITAL plus
The LE103XF Universal Decoder
The LE103XF represents a whole new concept to the evolution of
DCC. Not only is the LE103XF 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 LE103XF 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 LE103XF.
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
LE103XF decoder was tested by the NMRA's C&I committee and
has been awarded NMRA Warrrant 98-82.
Many characteristics of the LE103XF 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 LE103XF. The LE103XF 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 LE103XF 3
DIGITAL plus
Preparing to Install the LE103XF
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 LE103XF is quite small and will fit into most HO 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 1.2 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.
Summing up the individual current limits leads to a number larger
than 1.2 Amps., but they still are not permitted to draw more than
this limit.
Example:
Suppose the motor may require as much as 1.0 A continuously.
Then the function outputs combined must not exceed 0.2 A. If the
directional headlights require 50 mA each, then the load on
function 1 and 2 must not exceed 150 mA.
Some advice on installing the decoder:
Although the LE103XF has many internal safeguards to prevent
damage, you must not allow any metal part of the locomotive to
touch the surface components of the decoder. This could cause a
direct internal short circuit and the decoder will be destroyed.

4Locomotive decoder LE103XF
DIGITAL plus
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 LE103XF 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 LE103XF,
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 both Rule 17 and 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 LE103XF 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 LE103XF using track voltage common
Three wires connect the headlights and functions to the decoder:
•White wire (Pin #6) to the forward headlight. If the bulb is
isolated, connect the blue wire (Pin #7) to the other terminal.
•Yellow wire (Pin #2) to the rear headlight or F1 depending on
CV52 bit 0. 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
decoder is properly installed, you will be able to read back the

6Locomotive decoder LE103XF
DIGITAL plus
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 LE103XF using a floating common.
Programming the locomotive decoder LE103XF
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 LE103XF has a total of 128 CVs. Not all of them are
used at this time as many are reserved for future use.
Any NMRA DCC Command Station, such as the DIGITAL plus
LZ100 and a Hand Held LH100 or an Interface LI100, can be used
to program the locomotive decoder LE103XF. With several entry

Locomotive decoder LE103XF 7
DIGITAL plus
level systems such as the ROCO 'DIGITAL is cool' command
station, only CV #1 (locomotive address) can be set unless you
use a separate programmer. More advanced DCC systems
support the ability to set many more CVs. The LE103XF supports
all modes and can be programmed by all NMRA DCC
programmers. 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 new line of Lenz advanced XF decoders, (version 4.4),
support a full range of features which are set up using a variety of
configuration variables. All the configuration variables are
numbered. These numbers are used during programming and are
identical for all decoders that conform to the NMRA standards
independent of the manufacturer. The following table lists the
various CVs supported in the LE103XF 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 handhelds version 2.3 and
older 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 bit numbers.
Table 1: LE103 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.
1-127 3
**Note: in the factory setting field the numbers in the () are decimal.

8Locomotive decoder LE103XF
DIGITAL plus
CV RDescription Range Setting
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.
1-15 4
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
-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.
-44
8 8 Manufacturers Identification:
This value is the manufacturer ID of the decoder,
(Lenz =99). This location is read only.
-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
23 -Acceleration Trim This Configuration Variable
contains additional acceleration rate information
that is to be added to or subtracted from the
base value contained in CV3
0-255 0
24 -Deceleration Trim This Configuration Variable
contains additional braking rate information that
is to be added to or subtracted from the base
value contained in CV4
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 LE103XF 9
DIGITAL plus
CV Description Range Setting
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:
0 = factory pre-set speed curve is used
1 = user defined speed curve is used.
Please enter the appropriate values into CV
67 to 80 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 0
bit 0 not used
bit 1
[2] 0 = CV23 and CV24 are not active 1 = CV23/CV24 are active and contain the
acceleration and deceleration trim values
that are added to CV3 or CV4.
0,1 0
(2)

10 Locomotive decoder LE103XF
DIGITAL plus
CV Description Range Setting
bit 2
[3]
Brake momentum on DC operation.
Used to achieve prototypical braking at red
signal indications if conventional DC control
CV29.2 is disabled. (CV 29 bit 2 = 0)
0 = locomotive proceeds with track voltage
dependent speed inside the conventional DC
section.
1 = locomotive brakes in the conventional
DC section with pre set brake momentum.
0,1 0
(4)
bits
3-7 not used
51 Lighting Special Effects 0
bit 0
(1)
0 = the headlights are directional.
1 = the lights are independent per Rule 17.
F0 controls the front headlight and F1 the
rear headlight or a separate function.
0,1 0
(1)
bit 1
(2) 0 = function dimming disabled
1 = the value in CV52 is used for
headlight/function dimming. If CV51.0 = 0
then F1 dims the headlight if on.
0,1 0
(2)
bit 2
(3) 1= if CV51.0 and CV51.2 both =1 (dimming
and Rule17 are both active), F4 dims F0 0,1 0
(4)
bit 3
(4) 1= if CV51.0 and CV51.2 both =1 (dimming
and Rule 17 are both active), F4 dims F1 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 0
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 0. If
you are trying to use this speed curve unmodified,
your locomotive will not move!
The value in each register 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 0
105 User Identification #1 0-255 255
106 User Identification #2 0-255 255
128 Decoder Software Version – read only 01

Locomotive decoder LE103XF 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.
In the following description, we will assume the decoder is
properly installed and tested. We also assume you are familiar
with the general process of programming for your system.
Speed step in
14/27 mode Speed step in 28 mode Internal speed setting CV / register
1 1 1 67
2 6 68
2 3 12 69
4 16 70
3 5 20 71
6 24 72
4 7 28 73
8 32 74
5 9 36 75
10 42 76
6 11 48 77
12 54 78
7 13 60 79
14 69 80
8 15 78 81
16 85 82
9 17 92 83
18 105 84
10 19 118 85
20 127 86
11 21 136 87
22 152 88
12 23 168 89
24 188 90
13 25 208 91
26 219 92
14 27 240 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 LE103XF
DIGITAL plus
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]
http://www.lenz.com
Lenz Agency of North America
PO Box 143
Chelmsford, MA 01824
ph/fax: [phone]
[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!
© 1998 Lenz GmbH, All Rights Reserved