TCS LT-50 User manual

LT-50 Quick Start Guide
Table of Contents
What’s In The Box 3
Specications      3
Connections 4
CongurationJumpers     5
GettingStarted      6
Setting Up the LT-50 6
UsingtheLT-50      7
 PowerOn/O󰀨     7
 MenuNavigation     7
 The“Help”Button     7
Programmable Buttons 8
Maximum Number of Locos 8
Text Entry 9
Operations       10
The Drive Window 10
Select a Locomotive 10
Changing Directions 10
Using Loco Functions 11
Change Speed 11
Emergency Stop 11
Consisting 12
Yard Mode 13
LocomotiveRoster     14
DCCDecoderProgramming    15
RailCom®       16
Overview 16
RailCom®Requirements    17
CV29 RailCom®Conguration   17
Settings       18
Computer Interface 18-19
FactoryReset      19
WarrantyInformation     19
SupportandContact     19
2

What’s In The Box
• LT-50 handheld command station
• LT Panel (fascia panel)
• LT Panel fascia cover plate
• LT Panel assembly screws (2x)
• LT Panel mounting screws (4x)
• 2-pin screw terminal plug (Green) for DCC Track output
• Option jumpers (3x)
• RJ-45Cable(7ft/2.13M)
• LT-50 power supply (15V, 36W)
Specications
DCC System
• 1.4Acontinuous,2.8Apeakcurrentlimitwithsoftstart,congurablecurrent
limit, and load reporting
• Integrated RailCom® detector
• Programming Track over main output with automatic switchover, supporting
Direct, Paged, and Register modes
• DCC accessory control for addresses 1 - 2044
• Up to 20, 10-step Macros, including LCC accessory control
• Congurationthroughon-screenmenu
Throttle Features
• Handheld design based on the lightweight and ergonomic UWT-50
• Nine user-programmable buttons for convenient operations
• Encoder knob for throttle control and menu navigation
• PlainEnglishcongurationthroughmenu
• On-sceen help function
• Can be used as a throttle on LCC and NCE layouts
NMRALayoutCommandControl(LCC)Features
• LT-50-specicRJ-45jack(1x)
• RJ-45jackforLCCcommunicationthroughCAN-bus(3x)
• Expandable with additional LCC throttles (sold separately)
• 400ma LCC power injection points (2x)
• Low-powerDCCpassthrough(optionalwithconguration)
• CongurationthroughCAN-businterfacetoPC(soldseparately)
• Firmware updates via LCC interface
Moreinformationthancantintothisguidecanbefoundonline.
To read our comprehensive documentation, visit
docs.tcsdcc.com/wiki/LT-50 or use this QR code:
3

Connections
TheLT-50hasthefollowingexternalconnectionsandindicators.
(See the graphics on the next page to see where you can nd each of
these connections listed on the LT-50.)
“LT”:RJ-45jack(1x)
This jack must be used in order to allow the LT-50 to provide power
tothetrackoutput.UsinganyotherjackontheLTPanelwiththeLT-
50willnotpowerthetrackoutput.
The fascia cover plate has been designed so that it is not possible
to be screwed to the fascia board upside-down. If the fascia panel
board is installed with the RJ-45 connectors facing towards the oor,
you can ip the fascia cover plate to correctly show the LT-50 jack
position.
TrackOutput:2-pingreendetachablescrewterminal
ConnectonewirefromeachrailofyourMainlinetrack.Thisoutput
also doubles as the Programming Track which you may use to read
andwritetheaddressandothersettings(CV’s)ofDCCdecoders.
PowerIn:2.5mm*5.5mmbarreljack
ConnecttheTCS-providedpowersupplyhere.Donotuseanyother
powersupplies.
LCCConnectors:RJ-45jack(3x)
TheseconnectorssupportLCCCAN-bus.Thecurrentratingofeach
jack is marked on the fascia panel board, and has an arrow noting
whetheritisasupplier/passthrough,orconsumer.Upto400mAof
powercanbeprovidedtocertainsocketsbyconnectingthecongu-
rationjumpers.Usethefront-facingjackonlyforwiredLCCthrottles.
“TrackOn”LED:
The Track On LED will be lit RED when the fascia board has incom-
ingpowerfromthepowersupply.
The Track On LED will go GREEN when power is being provided to
theTrackOutput.
TheTrackOnLEDwillgoREDagainifthesystemisputintoE-OFF.
CongurationJumpers:
TherearethreejumpersprovidedwiththeLTPanel.Thesejumpers
can be used to connect circuits using the header on the LT Panel
board.Seethetableanddiagramstotherightformoreinformation.
4
WARNING: Use only the TCS-provided power supply with the
LT-50. This requirement guarantees device performance as
certied.

JumperPosition Description
(1)TERM
InsertthisjumpertoaddterminationtotheLCC-CANbus.
AnLCC-CANbusshouldhaveexactlytwo terminators,
withoneateachendofthebus.Thisjumpercan(optional-
ly)provideforoneoftherequiredterminators.Inpractical-
ity,averyshort(lessthan10ftor3m)LCC-CANbuscan
stillworkreliablywithoneterminator.
(2)N/A Notused.
(3&4)DCC/F
Insert these two jumpers to pass the low power DCC
signalsthroughtheLCCpanel(pins4&5oftheLCC-CAN
standard).
Remove these jumpers to disconnect the low power DCC
signalsfrompassingthroughthepanel.
TheLTPanelusestheNMRAS-9.1.2FullScaleInterface
CongurationJumpers
DCC/FSimpliedDiagram
5

Getting Started
TheLT-50isanext-generationNMRADCCandMärklin/Motorolacom-
mandstationfeaturingfullsupportforNMRALCCfeatureswithaplug-
and-play design, allowing you to get set up and running trains in just a
fewminutes.
Setting up the LT-50
Removeallofthepartsfromthebox.Setthebagofparts,LTPanel,and
FasciaCoverPlateaside.Donotconnectthepowersupplyyet.
FasciaBoardAssembly
1. Decide how you would like to orient the LT Panel (jacks up or jacks
down).Ifyouhavenotdonesoalready,drillholesinyourfasciatoac-
cepttheLTPanelandcoverplate.Note, a print-able templete can be
downloaded from the LT-50 product page on our website.
2. Connect the wires for your DCC track into the detachable 2-pin green
screwterminalblock.
3. Install the fascia cover plate onto the front of the LT Panel using the
twoincludedblackmachinescrews.Flipthecoverplateifneededto
matchtheorientationoftheboardasmentionedinstep1.Theholes
for the screws will only line up when the cover plate is oriented prop-
erly.DONOTforcethescrewsintotheholes.
4. Connect the detachable 2-pin green screw terminal into the Track
PoweroutputontheLTPanel.
5. ConnecttheprovidedpowersupplytotheDCinconnector.
6. Place the completed assembly into your fascia, and secure in place
usingthefourincludedblackwoodscrews.
LT-50Setup
1. RemovethetwisttiefromtheincludedRJ-45cable.
2. Plug one end of the RJ-45 cable into the jack on the LT Panel
labeledwiththeLTlogo.
3. PlugtheotherendoftheRJ-45cableintothebottomoftheLT-50.
If everything is connected properly, the LT-50 handheld will boot up in
approximately 3 seconds, and the Track Power LED should go Green to
indicatethattrackpowerisonline.Atthispoint,youarereadytoplace
locomotives on your tracks and run!
6
For additional setup instructions on how to connect the LT-50 to
a PC, see the Computer Interface section of this manual.

Using the LT-50
PowerOn/O󰀨
Plug the LT-50 into the LT-50 jack on the LT Panel to power up the
throttleintocommandstationmode.IfyouwouldliketousetheLT-50as
anormalLCCthrottle,connectitintoanyotherLCCport.Oncepowered
up, the throttle will display the main Drive Window - your dashboard for
locomotiveoperations.
In order to completely power down the LT-50, you must unplug it from the
fasciapanelboard,orunplugthepowersupply.
Track power can be managed using the E-STOP button as described in
the Emergency Stop section of this manual, or can be controlled via the
menu.Toviewthecurrenttrackpowerstatus,ortoturnthetrackpower
onoro󰀨,navigatetoMenu > Settings > Track Power
Menu Navigation
ThemenubuttonwillopentheLT-50mainmenu.Therearefunc-
tions and options in the menu that can customize your user experience
andarehelpfulforthrottleoperations.
Navigatingthemainmenucanbeperformedinavarietyofways.Using
the thumb switches or the knob (encoder version only) will navigate up or
downthroughmenuitemsoneatatime.Thecurrentmenuitemwillbe
highlighted.
Eachmenuoptioncorrespondstoanumerickeypadbutton.Pressingthe
corresponding button will immediately select that numbered menu option,
evenifthatmenuoptionisnotvisibleonscreen.Ifyouchoosetoscroll
for a menu option, press the Enter , the Select button or push
eitherthumbswitchinward.Ifyouwouldliketoknowwhatamenuoption
does,presstoconsultthehelptext.
When you are in a submenu, you can press the menu button to
navigatebackuptothepreviousmenu.
The “Help” Button
The LT-50 menu structure contains on-screen information that explains
mostmenuoptionsandoperations.Toaccessthesetips,youmaypress
the button at any time to access the help text for the currently high-
lightedmenuoption.
Ascrollbarwillappearontherightsideofthescreenifmoretextis
available.Scrollupordowntoseeadditionaltextbyusingtheknobor
eitherthumbswitch.
7
?
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Pressing the help button on the Drive Window will bring up the
FunctionHelpWindow.Thisscreendisplaysallavailablefunction
buttons,whattheydo,andtheirstatus(on/o󰀨).Thisfeaturewillonly
display named functions for each function number if the selected
locomotivehasarosterentrywhosefunctionshavebeendenedin
Menu > Settings > Roster Settings > Functions.
Programmable Buttons
There are nine buttons on the LT-50 that can be assigned operations
bytheuser.Thesebuttonscanbecustomizedtoperformanoperation
di󰀨erentfromtheirdefaultassignment.Theone,two,three,and
four “dot” buttons will always identify their action with an on-screen
description.Ifthedescriptionisblank,noactionisassignedtothat
button.
Youcanaccessbuttonconguration
options via the “Throttle Settings”
menu(,8,1,1).Theprogrammable
buttons will adjust based on the settings
in your throttle and selected locomotive’s
roster entry (if the selected loco has a
rosterentry).Ifyouselectalocomotive
without roster data, the buttons will return
to their defaults and/or will not display
functionnames.
Theninthprogrammablebuttonisusedbypressingdowntheknob.
Maximum Number of Locos
ThenominalcurrentlimitoftheLT-50is1.4Acontinuous.TheLT-50
willshuto󰀨automaticallyonceasetthermalcutoutisreached,andwill
automaticallyresumeonceithascooleddown.Below,wehaveincluded
a table for some examples of exaggerated load values which can help
you determine approximately how many individual locomotives you can
operatesimultaneously.Notethatyouwilllikelybeabletorunmorethan
thespeciedMaximum.Yourloads/resultswillvary.
LocoScale&Status TypicalCurrentDraw MaximumLocoCount
(AllScales)Idle/Stationary 0.05A-0.10A 15 - 25
(AllScales)Idle/StationaryWith
Sound 0.15A-0.25A 5 - 10
(N) Under Heavy Load 0.15A-0.35A 5 - 10
(N) Under Heavy Load w/Sound 0.30A-0.50A 3 - 5
(H0) Under Load 0.25A-0.75A 3 - 6
(H0) Under Load w/Sound 0.35A-1.00A 2 - 4
8
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Text Entry
TheLT-50hasatextentryinterfacethatisusedtollouttext-based
elds.Wheneverthethrottlerequirestextinput,itwilldisplaythetext
entryinterface.Anexamplefornamingalocointherosterisshown(A).
Within the text entry interface, the knob or left thumb switch adjusts the
positionofthehighlightedcharacter.Movethecursortotherstchar-
acteryouwanttoenter,thenusethebuttonto‘Add’thatcharacter.
If you make a mistake, you can delete a character using the backspace
thumbswitchbutton.Youmaynavigatethroughyourenteredtextus-
ingthedirectionbutton.
The right thumb switch moves the cursor up or down one whole line at a
time.Therightthumbswitchalsoadvancesthecursortootherpagesof
characters.Toquicklyswitchbetweenuppercaseandlowercaseletters,
usetheShiftkey.
Afully-enteredloconameisshownabove(B). Letters and special char-
acterscanallbeenteredwiththetextentryinterface.Numbersdonot
display within the text entry screen and can be entered directly with the
throttlekeypad.
Whenyouhavenishedenteringtext,pressSaveorEnter.
Flashlight
TheLT-50featuresabuilt-inashlightwithtwoultra-brightLEDs.Toturn
theashlightonando󰀨,pressmenuthenbutton0.Theashlight
feature can also be programmed to any of the Programmable Buttons.
A. B.
9

Operations
The Drive Window provides an overview
of your currently selected locomotive
andotherimportantstatusindicators.
When no locomotive is selected, an “E”
will be displayed in the top left corner
whichstandsfor“Empty”.Ifyouhadpreviouslyacquiredalocomotive
addresspriortopoweringdown,thethrottlewillattempttore-acquireit.
Inordertooperatealocomotive,usetheSelectLocomotivebutton.
By default, pressing the left thumb switch inwards defaults to the
quick recall function which will swap between the two most recently used
locomotives.
SelectALocomotive
Press the button on the keypad to access the locomotive selection
screen.Usersaregiventwooptionsforselectingalocomotive.
1.Enterthecabnumbermanuallyusingthenumericalkeypad.
2.IfyouhavearosterstoredintheLT-50,youcanstartenteringthe
addresstolteryouravailableoptions.Usethethumbswitchesorknob
to navigate to the desired locomotive, then press the Enter button
orathumbswitchinwardstoselectitandreturntotheDriveWindow.
Toassumecontrolofadi󰀨erentlocomotive,pressthelocomotive
buttononthekeypadagain.
Reverse Direction
The direction of the locomotive is indicated by the arrow displayed under
thecabnumber.Theupwardfacingarrowindicatestheunitwilltravel
in its forward direction, and the downward facing arrow indicates it will
travelinreverse.Usersmaychangethedirectionoftheunitbyusingthe
ReverseDirectionbuttondirectlybelowtheknob.
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Pro Tip: If you would like to relinquish control of your currently
selected address, enter the Menu and select “Operations”
followed by “Release”. Once a locomotive address has been
released, it will become the rst option available in the recall list.