ZIMO MX68 User manual

Operating Manual for
DCC FUNCTION DECODER MX68, MX68L
Function Decoder MX68 Page 1
Revised:
2001 11 15
2002 05 25
2003 02 25
I N D E X : Page
1. Introduction 2
Specifications 2
2. Addressing and Programming 2
3. Table of Configuration Variables 3
4. NMRA Function Mapping Table 5
5. Technical Notes 5
Note:
ZIMO decoders contain an EPROM which stores the software that determines its characteristics and
functions.
The current version may not yet be capable of all the functions mentioned in this manual. Such missing
functions can be installed later by upgrading the EPROM. In some cases the EPROM may be updated
with a special programming station available at Zimo and specialized dealers. Such upgrades are not
covered by the warranty and will be charged to the customer. The warranty covers hardware damage
exclusively, provided such damage is not caused by the user.
Version 3; NOT-AND instead of EXOR in CV

1. Introduction
The MX68functiondecoderis like alocomotivedecoderbutwithout amotoroutput
stage.Upto 8functions (4ontheMX68L)areavailablefor interior coachlights, tail
lights and
otheraccessories.Itisalsosuitableasasecondarydecoderinalocomotiveorpilot
car.
Theconnectedaccessoriescan notonlybeswitched on/offbutcanalsobecontrol
-
ledby traveldirection.Besidesdimming,blinkingandsinglelight pulsestheMX68
offers even more features:
?The locationdependent functioncontrol,thatis,theautomaticactivationof
afunctionoutputonapredefinedsectionoftrack.Specialeffects,liketheauto-
maticactivationofinteriorcoachlightswhenapproachingatunneloranacous
-
tic signal before entering a station become possible. Zimo MX9 track section
modules are required for this feature to be used.
?theprogrammable secondaryaddress ,which canbe linked electronicallyto
the loco decoder. Thisallowsforthe assignment ofone functionkey to switch
all coach lights, head lights and taillights at the loco decoder address level.
?automaticprogramming ofthissecondaryaddress.Allcoaches that are part
of a train, containing an MX68 function decoder, can automatically accept a
new loco address as the secondary address.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Operating voltage on track or bus.......................................................... 12 - 24 V
Peak current per group, right or left .............................................................0.4 A
Idle current...........................................................................................max. 5 mA
Dimensions..................................................0.8”x 0.4”x 0.17” (20 x 10 x 4,5 mm)
..............................................................................................................................
2. Addresses and Programming
Everyfunctiondecoderneedsitsownaddress,justlikealocodecoder,sothatitmay
be accessed usingacab.AllNMRADCCcompliantdecodershave3astheirfacto
-
ry default address.
All NMRA compliant address modes are supported. This includes primary (short),
extended (long) and consist address commands. In addition, Zimo offers another
techniqueforthefunctiondecoder,knownassecondaryaddressing.Thisoffersthe
advantage of linking a complete train of lighted coaches by one key stroke.
Zimodecodersacceptregister,pagedanddirectprogrammingmodes.Thesediffe
-
renttypesofprogrammingmodesareinvisibletotheuser.Allthesedifferentmodes
ensurethatZimo decoderscanbeprogrammedbyanyNMRAcompliantcommand
station
Refer toYourcommandstationand/orthrottleinstructionstoprogramthisdecoder.
Thisdecoderacts likeanyotherNMRAcompliantdecoder,asfarasyourcommand
stationcantell.UsetheConfigurationVariableinformationonthefollowingpagesto
guide you.
Programming decoders can also be done with the assistance of your PC. Zimo of
-
fers ADAPT (free software), which is available at w3.zimo.at under Products/Part
-
ner Programs. Lenz, Intellibox and Zimo command stations are supported. See
website for details.
Groundto the left may beused to establish common ground with other decoders,if
needed or for ground supply to other accessories.
Page 2Function Decoder MX68
red
black
blue
white
yellow
brown
green
Right rail
left rail
common supply
front headlight (F0v)
rear headlights (F0r)
output #3 (F1)
output #4 (F2)
MX68 (viewed from top)
Grey
orange
orange
orange
orange
Ground
output #6 (F4)
output #7 (F5)
output #8 (F6)
output #5 (F3)
No connections on this
side for the MX68L
MX68 Function decoder with2 groupsof 4 outputs each. Max. Current for
each group: 0.4A. Two outputs may beused in parallel and linked
through function mapping to increase current load.
MX68L Low cost version with 4 outputs total.

The CONFIGURATION VARIABLES (CV’s):
TheZimoCV’sarein full compliancewiththeNMRADCCRecommendedPractices
RP-9.2.2.
Function Decoder MX68 Page 3
CV Name Range Default Description
# 29
Configuration data
Bit = 0, = 1
Bit 0: value 0 or 1
Bit 1: value 0 or 2
Bit 2: value 0 or 4
Bit 3: value 0 or 8
Bit 4: value 0 or 16 Bit
5: value 0 or 32 Bit 6:
value 0 or 64 Bit 7: va
-
lue 0 or 128
0, 1,
32 or
33 0
Bit 0 - Decoder (train) direction:
0 = normal, 1 =reversed
Bit 5 - Decoder address:
0 = primary address CV # 1,
1 = extended address CV
#17+18
Value meaning
0 normal direction with short address
1 reversed direction with short address
32 normal direction with long address
33 reverseddirection with long ad-
dress
Bits 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 are always 0 !
# 33
- 41
Function mapping
# 33 F0 front
# 34 F0 rear
# 35 F1
# 36 F2
# 37 F3
# 38 F4
# 39 F5
# 40 F6
# 41 F7
1
2
4
8
4
8
16
32
64
0
Function mapping according to
NMRA. Also see table on page 5.
# 33 - 41 = 0: Outputs are set to F0 - F4
by default, function keys 1 to 5 on Zimo
MX2 cab.
Headlights are controlled by direction
and F0 (Zimo cab key 1 or L)
# 60 Dimming 0 - 255 0
The voltage can be reduced by PWM
at any function output. This allows the
use of low voltage bulbs,
Example:
# 60 = 0 or 255 full voltage
# 60 = 170: 66% of track voltage
# 60 = 204: 80 % of track voltage
# 61 Dimming mask
Calculate bit values
as in CV #29 0-63 0
Bit 0 to 5 for one function output each
(Bit 0 - front headlight, Bit 1 rear head-
light etc.).
Bit value: 0= dimmed to value in CV #60.
Bit value: 1= output not dimmed.
# 1 Primary (short)
address 1 - 127 3Short (1-byte) primary address; is active when Bit 5 in CV # 29 is cleared.(=0)
# 3 Acceleration
rate 0 - 255 0Only relevant for direction dependent F0
functions.
Multiplied by 0.9 equals acceleration time
in seconds from stop to full speed.
# 4 Deceleration
rate 0 - 255 0
Only relevant for direction dependent F0
functions.
Multiplied by 0.9 equals deceleration time
in seconds from full speed to complete
stop.
# 7 Version Read only Displays decoder and Software version.
# 8 Manufacturer ID
and hard
reset Read only 145 NMRA assigned manufacturer ID;
Zimo is 145.
Enter 8 to initiate hard reset.
#17+18 Extended (long)
address 128 - 10239 0Long 5 digit primary address.
This address is only active when Bit 5 in CV
#29 is on. Otherwise address entered in CV
#1 is active.
# 19 Consist
address 0 - 127 0
By writing an address to CV #19 this loco
and/or decoder becomes part of the ente
-
red consist address. All decoders in that
consist will respond to that consists’ com
-
mands simultaneously. It will ignore all
primary address commands while part of
a consist.
The MX1 & MX2 offer easy consist se-
tup. See chapter 6 of the MX2 manual.
CV Name Range Default Description

Page 4Function decoder MX68
# 62 Flashing and sing-
le pulse 0 - 99 0
Tens digit (x.)= on time, 0.1-0.9 sec.
Ones digit (.x)= off time, 0.2-0.9 sec.
If ones digit = 0, as in 10, 20, 30 then
single pulse with slow illumination.
Default value:00 = always on.
# 63 Flashing mask
Calculate bit values as
in CV #29!
Bits
0-5 0
Bit 0 to 5 for one function output each; e.g.
Bit 3 = output #4.
Bit value: 1= output flashing as defined in
CV #62.
Bit 6 = 1: fourth output flashing inverse
Bit 7 = 1: sixth output flashinginverse
# 64 Short secondary
address 1- 127 0The short secondary address is active when Bit 5 in CV #112 is set to 0.
# 67
+ 68
**) Long secondary
address 128 - 10239 0The short secondary address is active when Bit 5 in CV #112 is set to 1.
# 69
- 77
Function mapping
for secondary
address
# 69 for F0 front
# 70 for F0 rear
# 71 for F1
# 72 for F2
# 73 for F3
# 74 for F4.
# 75 for F5
# 76 for F6.
# 77 for F7
1
2
4
8
4
8
16
32
64
These 8 CV’s determine which function
key controls which function output.
#69 - 77 = 0: Outputs are set to F0 - F7 by
default, function keys 1 to 8 on Zimo MX2
cab.
Headlights are controlled directiondependent
by F0 (Zimo cab key 1 or L)
See explanation on NMRA function mapping
table on page 5.
# 78
- 86
Function mapping
for
locationinfluence
# 78 for F0 front
# 79 for F0 rear
# 80 for F1
# 81 for F2
# 82 for F3
# 83 for F4.
# 84 for F5
# 85 for F6
# 86 for F7
1
2
4
8
4
8
16
32
64
Applicable to location dependent function
control.
These 8 CV”s determine which function
bits, of the MX9 track section module
(CV’s #10-17, see MX9 manual) operate
what function output
# 78 - 86 = 0: Outputs are set to F0 - F7 by
default.
See explanation on NMRA function map-
ping table on page 5.
# 87
- 94
Individual dimming
of single function
outputs
# 87 headlight front
# 88 headlight rear
# 89 third output
# 90 fourth output
etc.
0
Individual alternative to general dimming
according to CV # 60.
0 = CV #60 active only
1 - 255 = PWM on function outputs, e.g.
Dimming of light.
Example:
# xx = 255 full voltage
# xx = 170 66% of track voltage
# xx = 204 80% of track voltage
# xx = 0 No effect
NOTE: Dim mask in CV # 61 is also
needed for this dimming function to
work!
# 112 Special Zimo
configuration bits
64 =
0100
0000
Bit 3 = 0 12 function mode ,
= 1 8 function mode
Bit 5 = 0 short secondary address
according to CV #64.
= 1 long secondary address.
Bits 6,7 = combinations between manu-
al functions and location dependent
function control
(00 = none, 01 = or, 10 = and,
11= not and); Default 01 = or
# 120 Function mapping
for
secondary ad
-
dress exchange. Future Feature
*) F5toF8 won’t be usableunless function decoder and commandstationare
bothsettothesame 8or12 function mode.CV#112,Bit3ofthedecoder swit
-
chesbetween the two modes. The command station can be switched by using
the “E” procedure and keys “L” and “1”.
**)Unliketheprimarylongaddress,the secondary long address can’t be ente-
red as one number where the command station calculates the proper values
and enters them into CV #67 & 68.
Rather then calculatingthefigures yourself, enter the secondary long address
temporarilyastheprimarylongaddress.ReadoutCV#17&18andwritethose
valuesintoCV#67&68.Afterthatreplacetheprimaryaddresswiththeoriginal
address.

How the Output On/Off state isdetermined,
using primary and secondary address commands:
The primary and secondary addressfunctions are programmed separately, and
the output information is stored in the function mapping table.
After Power-on, that is,aftera power loss of 1 sec minimum a secondary address
commandisawaited(providedthesecondaryaddressis otherthan 0)andtheout
-
puts are set accordingly.
The primaryandsecondary address commands may be programmed withdiffe-
rent values forthesameoutputs. SincetheZimocommandstationkeepssending
outall commands sent previously,anundesired continuous on/off switching of an
outputhavingoppositevaluesintheprimaryandsecondary addresscommandsis
theresult.Topreventthisfromhappeningaprimarycommandisnotexecuted, un-
less its value is different from the previous primary command received.
Further,the“lastcommandreceived is the oneexecuted”principleapplies to con-
secutively received primary or secondary addresses.
The results of the primary andsecondary address commands arethen combined
withthe locationdependentfunctioncontrol,provided functionbitsarepresentina
sectionof track.Suchfunctionbitsaresent totracksectionsbytheMX9 tracksecti-
onmodule.Bydefault, thelocationdependentfunctionbit 0influences thefunction
F0,function bit 1influencesfunction F1andsoon. Theassignment offunction bits
to functionoutputs can also bemodified with the help of function mapping , CV’s
#78-86.
The directcommands (result of primary andsecondary address commands) and
thelocation dependent functioncontrolisan“or”combination bydefault,that is,a
function is turned on if either the direct command calls for it or the necessary
function bit in a track section is set.
Thecombinations can be changedwith thehelpof bit 6and7of CV #112to “and”
or “not-and”. “And”turns a function on if a direct command calls for it and a
function bit is set in acorrespondingtrack section. “Not-and”allows the location
dependent function control to turn afunctionoff, contrary to a current direct com
-
mand.
“ On the fly ” Programming
This programming method is also known as operations, or ops mode, program-
ming. Configuration variables may be changed not only on the programming
track but on the layout, without affecting other trains.
Function Decoder MX68 Page 5
(7) (6) 5 4 3 2 1 0
light
Rear
light
Front
Function outputs
1 (L) front
1 (L) rear
2 (LL)
4 (Z1)
2 (LL)
3 (Z)
5 (Z2)
6 (Z3)
# 33
# 34
# 35
# 36
# 33
CV
Function key
on ZIMO cab
(7) (6) 5 4 3 2 1 0
(7) (6) 5 4 3 2 1 0
(7) (6) 5 4 3 2 1 0
NMRA function mapping
An example below: Set the CV’S as shown if the headlights should be
switched individually with keys F0 and F1 (L and LL) and the third ouput
with key F2 (3, Z): CV #33 =1, #34 = 1, #35 = 2, #36 = 4.
F0
F3
F1
F2
F4
F5
F0
(7) 6 5 4 (3) 2 1 0
1 (L) front
1 (L) rear
2 (LL)2 (LL)
3 (Z)
# 33
# 34
# 35
# 36
# 33
(7) 6 5 4 (3) 2 1 0
(7) 6 5 4 (3) 2 1 0
(7) 6 5 4 (3) 2 1 0
F0
F1
F2
F0
The table above shows the default settings; key F0 (1,L) switches front and
rear headlights according to direction of travel. Key F1(2.LL) switches the third
output, key F2 (3,Z) the fourth, etc. 0 is entered in all four Cv’s which is identical
to : CV #33 = 1; #34 = 2; #35 = 4, #36 = 8, #37 = 4, #38 = 8,#39 = 16, #40 = 32
# 37
# 38
# 39
F6 # 40 7
3 2 1 0
3 2 1 0
4 3 2 1 0
5 4 3 2 1 0
F7 # 41 8
3 2 1 0
Eight
output
Key numbers in parenthesis are for Zimo cabs.
The Configuration Variables CV # 33 to # 41 refer to the cab keys,
the single bits to the function outputs. By selecting the appropriate
bits, function keys can be assigned to operate specific outputs.
Several outputs may be assigned to one key.

All configurationvariables can be programmed on the fly, except for loco addres-
ses. Beawarethatthere willbeno acknowledgment andreadouts are notpossible
on the fly.
On the flyprogramming is onlyallowed for the primary short andlong addresses,
not for secondary addresses.
Page 6Function Decoder MX68