TAMS MasterControl 40-01007 User manual

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MasterControl n
Central unit for n
digital control EasyControl n
Item no. 40-01007 n
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The asterisks **
This manual mentions the following
companies:
LENZ** Elektronik GmbH
Hüttenbergstraße 29
D-35398 Gießen
Gebr. MÄRKLIN** & Cie. GmbH
Postfach 8 60
D-73008 Göppingen
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Manual n
Information and tips:
www.tams-online.de
Warranty and service:
Tams Elektronik GmbH
Rupsteinstraße 10
D-30625 Hannover
fon: +49 (0)511 / 55 60 60
fax: +49 (0)511 / 55 61 61
e-mail: [email protected]
© 10/2010 Tams Elektronik GmbH
All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, without prior permission in
writing from Tams Elektronik GmbH.
Subject to technical modification.
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DE 37847206

n
n
MasterControl n
Central unit for n
digital control EasyControl n
Item no. 40-01007 n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
The asterisks **
This manual mentions the following
companies:
LENZ** Elektronik GmbH
Hüttenbergstraße 29
D-35398 Gießen
Gebr. MÄRKLIN** & Cie. GmbH
Postfach 8 60
D-73008 Göppingen
n
n
Manual n
Information and tips:
www.tams-online.de
Warranty and service:
Tams Elektronik GmbH
Rupsteinstraße 10
D-30625 Hannover
fon: +49 (0)511 / 55 60 60
fax: +49 (0)511 / 55 61 61
e-mail: [email protected]
© 10/2010 Tams Elektronik GmbH
All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, without prior permission in
writing from Tams Elektronik GmbH.
Subject to technical modification.
n
DE 37847206

MasterControl English
Page 0.1
Table of contents
1. What is EasyControl? 1.1
2. Getting started 2.1
3. Connecting power supply and external co ponents 3.1
4. Display and controls of the MasterControl 4.1
5. Features of your MasterControl 5.1
6. Adjusting para eters of the digital control 6.1
6.1. Adjusting para eters in the loco otive enu 6.4
6.2. Progra ing DCC decoders 6.7
6.3. Saving and restoring your layout status 6.11
6.4. Adjusting para eters of external devices and changing basic settings 6.12
6.5. Updating the software of external devices 6.21
6.6. Adjusting display backlight 6.21
6.7. Checking version and serial nu ber 6.21
6.8. Exit 6.21
7. Operation 7.1
7.1. Switching track power on and off 7.1
7.2. Driving loco otive and function decoders 7.2
7.3. Double traction 7.5
7.4. Driving solenoid accessory decoders 7.6
7.5. Operation with MasterControl and non-central control devices 7.7
7.6. Resetting your syste 7.8
8. Software update 8.1
9. Check list for troubleshooting 9.1
9.1. Errors occurring while starting up the MasterControl 9.1
9.2. Errors occurring while setting para eters 9.1
9.3. Errors occurring while operating 9.2
9.4. Errors occurring during software update 9.2
10. Technical specifications, EMV, CE and warranty 10.1
10.1. Technical specifications 10.1
10.2. EMV, CE and warranty 10.2
11. Background infor ation 11.1
11.1. Motorola for at 11.1
11.2. DCC for at 11.2
11.3. RailCo 11.4
11.4. Booster 11.4

English MasterControl
Page 0.2

MasterControl English
Page 1.1
1. What is EasyControl?
EasyControl is a ulti protocol control for your odel railroad and capable of sending data in the
following for ats:
 Motorola I („old“ Motorola for at)
 Motorola II („new“ Motorola for at)
 DCC (co plying to NMRA standards)
It is able to control decoders of any anufacturer co patible with those for ats.
Due to its’ odular design, EasyControl can be adjusted to various de ands and differently sized
odel railway layouts. All co ponents are connected via the EasyNet.
1 MasterCon trol
The MasterControl is the central unit, which controls every decoder and ensures the
co unication between all co ponents of the EasyControl. You can only connect one
MasterControl to the EasyNet. The MasterControl
 sends control instructions to every kind of decoder on your layout,
 checks for co ponents plugged into the EasyNet,
 polls for data and control instructions fro co ponents of the EasyControl,
 sends data to co ponents of the EasyControl,
 and is the central input device for all para eters of the odel railroad control. The
MasterControl also has it’s own database to store all settings.
 Section 5. Features of your MasterControl
2 Power supply
The power is supplied by an AC power pack. One AC power pack can handle the MasterControl
and up to four additional control units. To use ore, a separate AC power pack can be connected
to the BusControl.
3 Non-central control evices
Non-central control devices (such as Lok Controls, Hand Controls, Phone Controls) offer the
possibility to control your odel railroad fro different spots and / as well as together with
others. They can be plugged in or out at any ti e to the EasyNet, even during operation. An
EasyNet can handle up to 64 non-central control units, adapter or si ilar.
4 SwitchControl
The SwitchControl allows you to integrate an diagra atic layout pult into the digital control.
5 A apters for o ther bus systems
The adapters enable you to connect digital devices fro other bus syste s in the digital syste
Easy Control. Exa ples: SniffControl for all DCC- and / or Motorola central units, XNControl for
XpressNET-devices.

English MasterControl
Page 1.2
6 BusContro l
A BusControl distributor is needed, if you want to connect ore than one non-central control unit
to the EasyNet. One BusControl is capable of connecting a axi u of 9 control units. Further
external devices need additional BusControls.
7 DCC programming track
To read the configuration of a loco otive or function decoder or progra ing those, they have to
be put on a progra ing track. Every co on rail can be used for that.
8 Driving booster
The driving booster a plifies all control instructions sent by the MasterControl. As the
MasterControl does not have it’s own booster, at least one external ust be connected to it.
Additional boosters beco e necessary, if your overall power de and exceeds the capacity of one
booster. Every Märklin**-co patible booster or booster for the DCC syste can be used.
The MasterControl sends the following signal through the booster interface:
 An output signal to switch on or off the booster. This signal is used to switch on or off
Märklin**-co patible boosters.
 An output signal to control the decoder. This track signal includes all data to control the
decoders.
An input signal to receive a short circuit warning. If the booster recognizes a short circuit (too
high pow er consu ption), it calls the MasterControl. The MasterControl then switches off the
booster and displays a warning.
9 Breaking istance booster
Through the output of the breaking distance booster all breaking distances on your layout can be
controlled. Every Märklin**-co patible booster or booster for the DCC syste can be used as
breaking distance booster.
As soon as one of the loco otives enters a breaking distance, the booster receives a stop signal,
no atter which speed was set. All other data such as the status of the decoder functions and the
driving direction are still sent by the central unit.
10 S88 mo ules
S88 feedback devices or s88-co patible odules recognize the current status of pins connected
to their inputs. They sub it this infor ation to the next odule or the MasterControl using the
s88 bus on the principle of bucked-brigade-devices.
One EasyNet supports up to 32 s88 feedback devices or s88-co patible odules. Other
anufacturer’s odules can be integrated.
11 PC
Your MasterControl can be connected to your PC using its USB or it’s serial interface. Every
software, which supports the Märklin** 6050 or P50X protocol is able to control your
MasterControl. A list of control software which can ake use of all features of the EasyControl can
be found on our website. You are also welco e to call our hotline for further infor ation.

MasterControl English
Page 1.3
1 MasterControl 5 Adapter for other 8 Driving booster
2 Power supply bus syste s 9 Breaking distance-
3 Non-central control 6 BusControl booster
devices 10 s88-Module
4 SwitchControl 7 DCC-progra ing track 11 PC
5
6
4
3
7
1
3
3
Braking distance
2
8
9
10
11
Transformer Transformer

English MasterControl
Page 1.4

MasterControl English
Page 2.1
2. Getting starte
Checking contents
Please ake sure that your package contains:
 central unit MasterControl,
 AC power pack,
 cable to connect to a DCC progra ing track,
 5-pole cri p connector to connect boosters,
 co pact disc containing USB-drivers and de o software,
 this anual.
To use your digital control you need at least one booster. The contents of your package do not
include such a device.
Setting the language
With factoy settings the displays are shown in Ger an. In order to change the language press the
following button while switching on the MasterControl:
1 for Ger an
2 for English
3 for French
4 for Dutch
Saftey instructio ns
EayControl shoul d only be used in concordance with these instructions. It is not suitable for use
by children under 14. Incorrect use can be dangerous. In particular there is a risk of electric shock
through contact with etal parts under power, especially when an incorrect voltage is used, or
when operated in a too hu id or wet environ ent. Therefore the following precations should be
observed:
 Wiring should only be carried out when the control is disconnected.
 Only operate indoors in a dry environ ent.
 Only use proprietry transfor ers with the correct voltage.
 Only connect the transfor er in an authorised anner to the house power supply.
 Use adequetly thick cable for all wiring. Too thin a cable can overheat.
 If the layout is exposed to condensation, allow at least two hours for drying out.

English MasterControl
Page 2.2
First use
To quickly gain first experiences with your new MasterControl and just operate one loco otive,
please follow these steps:
Nr. Step Explanations
1 Overview of the display and controls of the
MasterControl
 Section 4
2 Connecting booster and power supply  Section 3
3 Switching on AC power  Section 7.1
4 Overview of the para eter settings  Section 6
5 Configuring a booster  Section 6.4
6 Calling loco otive  Section 6.1
7 Setting loco otive para eters  Section 6.1
8 Operating loco otive  Section 7.2

MasterControl English
Page 3.1
1 2 3 4 5
3. Connecting power supply an external components
1 Power Supply
Connect the power supply with the “power supply” port and the socket. During self-initialization
the MasterControl displays the version nu ber of its software. As soon as the device is ready to
operate, the ain enu appears.
2 Driving booster
To use your digital control you need to connect at least one booster to the “Driving booster” port.
Every Märklin**-co patible booster or booster for the DCC syste can be used. Please read the
booster anual!
Please note: Both types of boosters differ regarding short circuit polarity. Yet to be able to use
both types of boosters, the short circuit polarity can be set on the MasterControl. As this setting
applies to all connected boosters, only one type of booster ay be connected to your
MasterControl.
 Section 11: Background infor ation
Pin assignment of the booster’s interfaces
1 Short circuit feedback
2 Ground
3 no function
4 Booster „on / off“ Connector of a Märklin**- Connector of a DCC-
5 Data co patible booster co patible booster
3 Breaking booster
If you want to control breaking distances using a separate booster, you have to connect it to the
“Breaking booster” port. Every Märklin**-co patible booster or booster for the DCC syste can
be used. The short circuit polarity also applies to the breaking booster, which thus ust be of the
sa e type as your driving booster.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1 Power supply
2 Driving booster
3 Breaking booster
4 s88 odule
5 DCC progra ing track
6 Serial interface
7 USB interface
E D C

English MasterControl
Page 3.2
An exa ple for controlling breaking distances can be found in the syste overview in section 1.
Depending on the status of the corresponding points, the breaking distance’s power is supplied by
either the driving booster or the breaking booster. Such a switch could be a two state relay also
controlling a signal.
4 s88 mo ules
Connect the s88 odule(s) to the “s88 feedback” port. The plug can only be plugged into the port
in one direction. You can connect up to 32 s88 feedback or s88-co patible odules.
Please read the s88 odule’s anual!
 Section 11: Background infor ation
5 DCC programming track
To read the configuration of a loco otive or function decoder or when progra ing these, please
connect the progra ing rail to the “DCC progra ing track” port. The appropriate cable is
included.
Put the loco otive on a progra ing rail. See the decoder’s anual for possible configurations.
Please note:
 When integr ating the progra ing track (e.g. as siding) you have to ake sure that it’s
disconnected fro the rest of your layout. If not, you would progr a every DCC decoder on
your odel railway.
 Only DCC decoders can be progra ed using the “DCC progra ing track” port. Motorola
decoders featuring online progra ing can be pr ogra ed on your layout or on an oval
track, which is connected to the MasterControl and a driving booster.
 Section 6.2. Progra ing DCC decoders
6 Serial inte rface / 7 US B interface
Using these interfaces, you can connect a PC to the MasterControl, to
 update the software,
 control the MasterControl with a PC software. If you want to run ore than one control
software at the sa e ti e, both interfaces can be used.
Please note: Before first using the USB interface, you have to install the included drivers.
8 EasyNet
You can connect non-central control devices (such as LokControls) to the EasyNet via the RJ45
interface. Any Ethernet patch cable (used in Co puter networks) will work. Please also read the
anual of your control device.
To connect ultiple non-central control devices you will also need:
 Two or ore control devices: one distributor BusControl (not included). One BusControl is
capable of connecting a axi u of 9 control units. Further external devices need additional
BusControls.
 Five or ore control devices: one additional transfor er (not included). An additional
transfor er is capable of supplying 8 additional control devices. To connect ore devices,
further transfor ers are needed.

MasterControl English
Page 4.1
4. Display an controls of your MasterControl
1 Display
The digital display features two rows
displaying 16 digits each. During operation
und while adjusting para eters, all relevant
infor ation is shown here. The backlight can
be individually set.
2 Keypa
The keypad has 10 nu ber keys and the two
additional keys * / esc und # / ok. The
key * / esc also functions as shift key (


 ).
With 0 / enu you enter the enu.
3 Spee control knob
You can turn the speed control knob
continuously in both directions. You will
experience slight resistance while turning it.
A push-button is also integrated into the
speed control knob. By pushing it, an input
can be confir ed or during operation ode,
the driving direction can be changed.
The MasterControl and LokControl look alike.
To distinguish between the , the speed
control knob has different colours:
 MasterControl: red
 LokControl: black
4 Function keys
Colour Label Function
Yellow function Switch on / off „function / light“, alternatively the function f0.
After entering a nu ber on the keypad and subsequently
pushing function the respective function will be switched on
or off.
Blue f1 f2 f3 f4 Switch on / off functions f1 to f4 alternatively the functions
f5 to f8 when pressing shift ( 

 ) at the sa e ti e.
Switching points directions: f1 for “straight on”, f2 for
“branch off”.
Green go Switch on connected boosters.
Red stop Switch off connected boosters (STOPP-Mode) alternatively
e ergency halt (HALT-Mode) when pressing shift (


 ) at the
sa e ti e.
1
2
3
4

English MasterControl
Page 4.2

MasterControl English
Page 5.1
5. Features of your MasterControl
MasterControl
You can use your MasterControl to
 enter para eters of the digital control and to
 control operation on your whole odel railway layout.
Locomotive atabase
The MasterControl has its own database to store para eters you apply to a loco otive’s address,
which are:
 data for at,
 a ount of speed levels and
 (loco otive’s) na e
Section 6.1. Adjusting para eters in the loco otive enu
Data formats
The MasterControl is a ulti protocol control for your odel railroad and capable of sending data
in the following for ats:
 Motorola I („old“ Motorola for at)
 Motorola II („new“ Motorola for at)
 DCC (co plying to NMRA standards)
 Section 11. Background infor ation
RailCom
The MasterControl supports the revertive standard RailCo . The MasterControl allows you to enter
co ands to read out the CV values of decoders co patible to RailCo .
 Section 11.3. RailCo
27 spee levels with the Motorola format
The Motorola for at standardly supports 14 speed levels. Your MasterControl additionally offers
two ethods to extend those speed levels to 27.
Speed level ode 27a: So e decoders support 27 speed levels using the so called interspeed
levels. To reach an interspeed level you switch to a higher speed level and i ediately switch
back. A power failure will cause the loss of this speed infor ation data. Your MasterControl
si ulates those 27 speed levels and shows the in the display. The MasterControl creates the
interspeed levels by regularly switching to a higher speed level for a short ti e. This ensures that
the speed levels are correctly set even after a power failure. Nor ally, the change between speed
levels is not visible.
Speed level ode 27b: Using free bit co binations in the function’s double bit helps realizing
proper 27 speed levels. The decoder ust support this. When controlling loco otive decoders
that only support 14 speed levels or the speed level ode 27a with speed level ode 27b, only
every second set speed level actually changes speed.

English MasterControl
Page 5.2
Programming mo es in the D CC format
The MasterControl supports progra ing and readi ng data in the following DCC progra ing
types:
 CV-progra ing – byte wise and bitwise
 Register progra ing
 Page progra ing
 Main track progra ing
 Section 11. Background infor ation
Driving locomotive an function eco ers
Depending on the data for at, you have the following possibilities:
Motorola for at DCC for at
Nu ber of loco otive addresses 255 10239
Nu ber of speed levels 14 or 27 14, 28 or 128
Functions function (light) / f1 to f4 f0 / f1 to f8
Additionally you have following possibilities for all types of data for ats:
 Assigning the data for at to loco otive addresses separately for each address. This way the
EasyControl akes it possible to operate loco otives with Motorola and DCC decoders at the
sa e ti e.
 Creating double tractions.
 Assigning na es to loco otives, additionally to assigning address nu bers. For exa ple: A
loco otive of type BR 89 is assigned address “89” and the na e “EMMA”. When applying
na es to loco otive addresses, you can find a loco otive by looking for it´s na e in the
database, if you forgot its address nu ber.
Driving solenoi accessory eco ers
You can operate solenoid accessory decoders (points or switching decoders), which are
co patible with the Motorola or the DCC for at. You ake the setting for whether operating
solenoid accessory decoders in the Motorola or DCC for at either
 co only for all connected decoders or
 or seperately for a group of four decoders.
The Motorola for at offers 1020 and the DCC for at 2040 decoder addresses.
 Section 7.4. Driving solenoi d accessory decoders

MasterControl English
Page 5.3
Restoring configuration
In several situations it can be handy to restore old track configurations. The MasterControl has
three possibilities to do this:
 Resetting the syste : All active (loco otive, function, points and switching) decoders are
switched off, eaning that all functions are switched off and the speed level is reset to “0”.
This ethod is used for instance to progra a function decoder featuring online
progra ing.
 Section 7.6. Resetting your syste
 Saving and restoring your layout status: The layout status can be saved at any ti e. Every
setting of any active loco otive and function decoders will be saved including the status of
functions and switches. When restoring a layout status the speed levels of loco otive
decoders are set to “0”. Every setting entered after saving a status (such as switching on / off
functions, calling a decoder) will be ignored.
 Section 6.3. Saving and restoring your layout status
 Deleting the configuration: All settings are restored to factory settings and the loco otive
database will be deleted.
 Section 6.4. Subsection Deleting the configuration

English MasterControl
Page 5.4

MasterControl English
Page 6.1
6. A justing parameters of the igital control
All para eters of the digital control are set in the enu.
Navigating through the menu
Enter the enu by pressing 0 / enu. When first entering, it displays the loco otive enu,
otherwise the last called enu point.
An arrow in the upper left corner shows the possible actions:
Navigate to another enu point on the sa e level or go the next higher / lower level
Enter or change values of existing settings.
To navigate through enu levels or different enu points the keys # / ok, * / esc and the
speed control knob are used.
Please note: You can alternatively enter values by
 pressing # / ok or
 pushing the speed control knob.
For better readability the following sections do not ention both ethods. Whenever you read
“press # / ok to confir your input“, pressing the speed control knob is also possible.
Display Action Button
Call the enu Press 0 / enu.
Navigating forward
(on the sa e enu level)
Turn the speed control knob clockwise.
Navigating backwar ds
(on the sa e enu level)
Turn the speed control knob counter
clockwise.
Navigating to the
next lower enu level
Press # / ok
or press the speed knob.
Navigating to the
next higher enu level
Press * / esc.
Moving the cursor to the right
(if displayed)
Turn the speed control knob clockwise.
(not functional when entering na es)
Moving the cursor to the left
(if displayed)
Turn the speed control knob counter
clockwise.
Changi ng the displayed value Turn the speed control knob or enter a
value using the keypad. (Choosing a
loco otive in the database by entering its
na e on the keypad is not possible!)
Entering input and exiting enu point Press # / ok
or press the speed knob.
Cancel input Press * / esc.

English MasterControl
Page 6.2
Menu structu re
Main enu Sub enu level 1 Sub enu level 2
1. Loco otive enu 1.1. Choose
1.2. Data for at
1.3. Na e
1.4. Entry (delete)
2. DCC progra ing 2.1. CV (byte)
2.2. CV (bit)
2.3. Pri ary address
2.4. Extended address
2.5. Register
2.6. Page ode
2.7. Main track
2.8. RailCo -CV
3. Layout status 3.1. Save layout status
3.2. Restore layout status
4.1. Mode 128 speed levels
4.2. Mode speed controller
4.3. s88 settings 4.1.1. S-88 odule
4.1.2. S-88 odule test
4.4. Delete the configuration
4.5. Booster configuration 4.3.1. Short circuit polarity
4.3.2. Short circuit sensitivity
4.6. Interface baud rate
4.7. Points 4.5.1. All points
4.5.2. Points for at
4.5.3. Min. switching ti e
4.5.4. Max. switching ti e
4.8. Train for at
4.9. MM signal pause
4. Settings
4.10. RailCo support
5. Software update
6. LCD backlight
7. Version and serial nu ber
8. Exit