Lenz Digital Plus LS150 User manual

Accessory decoder LS150 1
The DIGITAL plus LS150 turnout decoder provides cost effective turnout control for
up to 6 independent turnouts.
∗Suitable for twin-coil snap action switch machines
∗Suitable for motorized switch machines
∗High current provision to support Peco and Atlas switch machines
∗The 6 turnout addresses can be sequential or up to 6 user selected
addresses.
∗Control using separate push-buttons possible.
∗Configuring the LS150 does not require a separate programming track and the
parameters can be changed at any time in the future even after installation.
LS150
Turnout Decoder for up to 6
independent turnouts
Art. No. 11150
December 2003
Submitted to the NMRA for
C&I testing

Accessory decoder LS150 2
2
Contents
LS150 Turnout Decoder for up to 6 independent turnouts ..................................1
Contents...................................................................................................................2
Important advice, please read first! ..........................................................................3
Use of the LS150 .....................................................................................................3
Technical data..........................................................................................................4
Outputs of the LS150...........................................................................................4
Power and DCC signal Inputs of the LS150 ........................................................6
Connecting the LS150..............................................................................................7
Connection to the AC power supply ....................................................................7
Connection to the NMRA DCC digital system .....................................................8
Connecting twin-coil switch machines .................................................................8
Connecting motorized switch machines ..............................................................9
Connecting a separate push-button to the LS150 .............................................10
Controlling the outputs ...........................................................................................11
Setting the address ................................................................................................12
Setting outputs with sequential addresses ........................................................12
Setting individual addresses and pulse durations of outputs.............................13
Resetting the decoder ............................................................................................14
North American Warranty.......................................................................................16

Accessory decoder LS150 3
Important advice, please read first!
The LS150 is a component of the Digital plus by Lenz®system
and was submitted to intensive testing before delivery. Lenz
Elektronik GmbH guarantees fault-free operation provided you
follow the advice given below:
Any use other than that described in this operating manual is not
permitted and all guarantees will become void if the LS150 is used
inappropriately.
Connect the LS150 only to devices which are designated for such
connection. This operating manual will inform you which devices
are suitable.
Observe the technical data contained in this operating manual. Do
not in any case exceed the values stated for voltage and power as
this could damage the LS150.
Do not expose the LS150 to damp locations or direct sunlight.
Use of the LS150
The LS150 is a turnout decoder for use in connection with the
Digital plus by Lenz ®or any other NMRA-DCC compliant system.
Turnout decoders are the connecting link between the digital
system and the turnout switch machine. The LS150 can also be
used to drive other layout devices that are driven by coils (for
example switch machines, relays, uncouplers, semaphore signal
drives etc.) on your model railway layout.
The LS150 was designed specifically for the connection of twin-
coil machines and relays. Here, the AC output of the LS150 is
particularly advantageous for switching twin-coil switch machines
very reliably.
Motorized switch machines can also be connected to the LS150;
this connection requires (depending on the drive used) the use of
an additional 2 simple diodes per turnout.

Accessory decoder LS150 4
4
Technical data
by Lenz
LS150
Lenz Elektronik GmbH D 35398 Giessen
+
C
1
JK
+
C
2
+
C
3
+
C
4
+
C
5
+
C
6
6 connections for controlling 6 turnouts
LED
AC
Transformer
connection
Push-
button
Connection to track
outputof the
digital system
Range of addresses 1 - 1024
Max. voltage on AC input 16 V
Max. voltage on input J, K 24 V
Output voltage approx. 1 V less than
voltage on AC input
Max. power on outputs:
up to 1 sec pulse duration 3 A
more than 1 sec pulse duration 1 A
Pulse duration of outputs settable from 0.1 to 10 sec
Minimum power consumption of
output
10mA
Dimensions 120 x 60 x 20 mm
Outputs of the LS150
The LS150 has 6 outputs, which means that up to 6 devices
(switch machines and/or semaphore signal drives, uncoupling

Accessory decoder LS150 5
tracks etc.) can be connected to a LS150 and controlled
individually.
Pulse Duration
Having received a turnout command for an output, this output will
be switched on. It will remain so as long as the turnout command
is being sent. Afterwards the output will remain switched on until
the set pulse duration expires.
The pulse duration of the outputs can be set individually from 0.1
seconds to 10 seconds. This makes it possible to adjust the pulse
duration to the needs of the switch machine used. A pulse of 0.1
seconds is adequate for a normal twin-coil snap action switch
machine while a pulse duration of 3-4 seconds is normally needed
for a slow motion switch machine.
Overload protection
The outputs have a joint protection mechanism against overload. If
the permissible maximum power is exceeded, the LS150 will
switch off the terminal ("+" or "-" of an output) which experienced
the short-circuit. You can tell that a blocked status is existent by
the fact that the LED does not shine although a command was
received for this output. The corresponding terminal and all other
outputs still function! The short-circuited terminal can only be
reactivated by switching of the AC power supply.
Voltage on the outputs
AC voltage is applied to the outputs; this is a particularly
advantageous form of voltage for the use of the LS150 with twin-
coil switch machines and semaphore signal drives as well as
relays.
For technical reasons, the device connected to the
output must have a power consumption of at least
10mA.. This is not a problem with almost all customary
switch machines used for model railroads. If in doubt,
please contact the manufacturer.

Accessory decoder LS150 6
6
Power and DCC signal Inputs of the LS150
The LS150 is supplied with power via the AC input (≈). Use a
suitable transformer – we recommend the Atlas Generator.
Warning: AC voltage must be used to supply power to
the LS150. Do not use a DC supply as this can damage
the LS150.
The power of the transformer used must not exceed
45VA in order to guarantee the proper operation of the
short circuit load protection.
If you desire to use a transformer with a higher
amperage you must protect the LS150s with a 10 ohm
resistor (Radio shack part #271-1101)
The track outputs of a digital system (J,K for
Digital plus by Lenz ® systems) must not be used to
supply the LS150 with power!
The LS150 receives its commands to activate a turnout from the
NMRA-DCC digital system track outputs connected to the LS150’s
Jand Kinputs.

Accessory decoder LS150 7
Connecting the LS150
by Lenz
LS150
Lenz Elektronik GmbH D 35398 Giessen
+
C
1
JK
+C
2
+C
3
+C
4
+C
5
+C
6
123
Coil 1 Coil 2
Twin-coil switch
machine
Motorized switch
machine
M
AC transformer
co n nec ti o n to the track output of
the digital system
Figure 1
Connection to the AC power supply
Please see Figure 1 (Page 7), bottom left:
Connect the terminals (≈) to the terminals of an AC transformer.
Observe the maximum permissible voltage (see Technical data).
The power of the transformer must not exceed 45VA in order to
guarantee a functioning load protection. We recommend the use
of the Atlas Generator.
If you desire to use a transformer with a amperage that
is greater then 45VA, you must protect the LS150s with
a 10 ohm resistor current limiting resistor.
(Radio shack part #271-1101).

Accessory decoder LS150 8
8
Connection to the NMRA DCC digital system
Please see Figure 1 (Page 7), bottom right:
Connect the terminals J, K with the track output of the digital
system. In the Digital plus by Lenz ®system the track output is
also marked with J and K.
Connecting twin-coil switch machines
Please see Figure 1 (Page 7), top left:
Twin-coil switch machines have three connections. The common
connection of the two coils (2) is connected to terminal 'C'. The
cable of coil 1 (1) is connected to terminal '+'; the cable of coil 2
(3) to terminal '-'.
Depending on the switch machine used, when the output '+' is
activated this results in the switch is set to the ’branch’ or for
“straight”. If the action is opposite to what you desire, simply swap
the connections at the terminals '+' and '-'.
The following table contains common colour coding of some
manufacturers, with reference to the numbering of the cables in
Figure 1. Please use the operating manual of the drive used to
verify whether cable colours have been changed!
Cable no.: 1 2 3
ROCO red black green
Arnold blue grey purple
Fleischmann beige black brown
Trix yellow black green
Märklin blue yellow blue
Viessmann semaphore signal green brown red
When using twin-coil switch machines without auto-shutoff,
extending the pulse duration (see Section "Setting individual
addresses and pulse duration") beyond the factory default setting
is only necessary if the drive does not throw the turnout
completely despite functioning properly. Keep in mind that an
extension of the pulse duration can lead to the switch machine
warming up and is set excessively long, a twin-coil switch machine
can be damaged.

Accessory decoder LS150 9
Connecting motorized switch machines
Please see Figure 1 (Page 7), top right:
Motorized drives (such as Kato Unitrak, and Circuitron Tortoise)
normally require DC voltage for operation. By reversing this DC
voltage, the direction of rotation of the motor is changed and thus
the turnout is set to a different position.
In order to be able to turnout drives like those described with the
LS150, you need to add 2 simple rectifier diodes. Connect the
switch machine as shown in Figure 1 (Page 7).
The type of diodes you can use depends on the
power consumption of the switch machine.
Normally diodes of the type 1N4001 should be
sufficient. (Radio Shack part # 276-1101)
The position of the cathode can be seen by the
ring on the diode.
You may have to extend the pulse duration of the output used for
motorized switch machines to fully move the points to the
respective end position, For more detailed information, please
refer to the Section "Setting individual addresses and pulse
duration".
The use of the LA010 adapter is not required for the
operation of motorized drives. Moreover, this adapter
must not be connected to the LS150!
The motorized point drive from the company Pilz is connected
exactly like a double-coil point drive; no additional diodes are
required:
Connection to LS150: + C -
Cable colours Pilz drive: pink red yellow

Accessory decoder LS150 10
10
Connecting a separate push-button to the LS150
It is possible to control the turnouts connected to the LS150 via
separate push-buttons (or REED contacts). The point or signal
drive used should have auto-shutoff to avoid damage to the switch
machine should the push button be held down for two long a time.
Wire the push-buttons and/or Reed contacts in accordance with
Figure 2:
123
Coil 1 Coil 2
Twin-coil
switch
machine
AC
tr ansf orm e r
connection
+
C
1
+
C
2
+
C
3
LS150
Lenz Elektronik Gmb
K1
K2
Figure 2
The figure shows a typical twin-coil switch machine. The two coils
are connected to the terminals + and - of an output of the LS150.
Two push-buttons K1 and K2 are connected as shown. When
connecting the push-buttons, make sure that the common
connection of the push-buttons is connected to the AC terminal on