Electronic Solutions Ulm

Manufacturer: Electronic Solutions Ulm

Summary: ESU is a German designer and manufacturer of DCC systems and components. Their DCC Systems feature a graphical interface, and RailCom. There LokSound multifunction decoders are often used in OEM applications, and allow the user to upgrade their firmware and sound projects using a LokProgrammer.

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General information
Phone
Fax
Email
CV8 ID#
Main URL	Main URL
URL to manuals
Address
Date Opened
Date Closed
Successor
Device Types	Booster, Command Station, Mobile Decoder, Stationary Decoder, Throttle

Description

An example of a locomotive decoder (LokPilot)

ECoS controller

Electronic Solutions Ulm (known as ESU) is a German manufacturer of accessories for model trains, especially known for their locomotive decoders.

The products include the LokPilot and LokSound series of decoders and recently the Märklin company has teamed up with ESU for the manufacture of the decoders for their new generation of mfx locomotive decoders. ESU is also an OEM supplier of decoders for a number of manufacturers.

ESU was one of the first manufacturers to produce decoders capable of sound - a feature that has become very popular with model railroaders. Their LokSound v3 decoders have the added benefit that end-users can re-program the sound files used by the decoder, using a LokProgrammer.

Some of their decoders such as the LokPilot and LokSound are multiprotocol in that they support the Motorola format as well as Digital Command Control (DCC) and also Märklin style analog AC current. Their LokPilotDCC on the other hand is a pure DCC decoder and will not work in a pure Märklin/Motorola environment. The ECoS DCC system supports NMRA DCC, Marklin/Motorola format and Selectrix modes.

ESU Products

ECoS

ECoS is a combined command station/throttle which features a number of innovations, such as the graphical display with a large colour LCD. This system is mainly focussed on the European market.

mfx

The ESU mfx format was designed by Marklin, but information is hard to come by. They describe it as a bi-phase format.

It looks a lot like DCC with a zero pulse being 100 milliSeconds in duration, and a logical one represented by a 50 mS pulse. Polarity is not an issue.

ESU Cab Control

50310 CabControl Wireless DCC System

Designed with the North American and Australian market in mind.

Features Easy Consisting using menus, American and Australian icons for your locomotives, and wireless throttles.

Technical

7A power supply
28 functions
Up to 16,000 addresses available

Stationary Decoders

SwitchPilot V2.0
- Control up to 4 solenoids or 8 other loads. Works with any DCC system.
SwitchPilot Extension
- Adds four relay driven outputs.
SwitchPilot Servo V2.0
- Designed to drive servos.

Multifunction Decoders

Main article: Electronic Solutions Ulm/Multifunction Decoders

Main article: Electronic Solutions Ulm/Statement Regarding Multifunction Decoder failures

ESU is a supplier of both retail and OEM Decoders. Unlike many other decoder suppliers, ESU doesn't supply different versions of OEM and retail decoders. The decoders are identical. For the Australian and North American markets, the Select OEM decoder is used and identical to the retail decoders. The user can replace the sound files (as long as they are Select sound files.)

LokSound decoders are supplied without any software. The manufacturer or retailer can load software for a specific application. They can also set the defaults for that decoder's application.

A notable user of LokSound decoders with custom sound files is Rapido Trains.

Documentation

LokSound 5: ESU_LokSound_5_EN_InstructionManual_14-01.pdf

Decoder Features

LokSound Full Throttle Decoders

Diesel

Drive Hold
Run 8
Coast
Improved Dynamic Brakes
Independent Brake

Drive Hold allows you to lock the speed and control the prime mover sound with the throttle.

Run 8: Lock the prime mover in notch 8 and control the speed with the throttle.

Coast: The prime mover is set to idle, but speed is still controlled via the throttle.

Steam

Heavy Load: Control of Cut Off

LokProgrammer

Used to program ESU decoders, load sounds and set defaults. Requires a computer with WindowsXP SP2 or 7/8/10. RS-232 interface.

LokProgrammer V5.0

LokProgrammer version 5.0.0 was released in January 2019. See the ESU website for downloads and updated software.

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is required. The .NET Framework will be installed automatically if the computer is connected to the internet.
Supports the LokSound5 series of decoders

DCC Equipped Motive Power

Pullman

Pullman the ESU line of G scale locomotives and rolling stock

Engineering Edition

This is ESU's line of DCC Equipped Locomotives in H0, as well as rolling stock.

OEMs Using LokSound Decoders

The following manufacturers use ESU LokSound Decoders in their DCC equipped locomotives. (January 2017)

Atlas
Athearn
Ausicion
Bowser Manufacturing
Fox Valley Models
Hornby America/Rivarossi
Intermountain Railway Co
Kato USA
Kato Japan
On Track Models
PBL
Rapido Trains
River Raison Models
ScaleTrains
SDS Models
Southern Rail Models
True Line Trains
Walthers
Wuiske Promotions

Electronic Solutions Ulm FAQs

Q: Disable Startup Sequence for a LokSound Multifunction Decoder

There are two different delay settings in LokSound decoders:

Set CV124 bit 2 (bit weight = 4), startup delay takes effect if speed is zero and Sound Slot 1 (prime mover) is Off. It prevents the operator from activating the prime mover sound then moving off while the prime mover is still cranking over (because that is not how a real locomotive behaves). It is not a fixed value as it is dependent on the time the start-up sequence requires to complete.
Separately, there is a move off delay which takes effect when the locomotive's speed is zero and its prime mover is running. It prevents the locomotive from moving off immediately, allowing the prime mover spool-up time before it actually moves, as again, that is how a real locomotive operates.
1. By default, the delay is set to three seconds.

Effect (1) is enabled/disabled via bit 2 of CV124.

Effect (2) is a different story:

LokSound V4, this setting is internal to the Sound Slot 2 schedule. It requires a Lokprogrammer and a copy of the original sound file as one has to change and rewrite the entire sound project.
LokSound Select: The user cannot alter it as the Sound Schedule is locked out.
LokSound 5: Typical projects have moved this setting to Sound CV13 (CV 167). Change is possible with an NCE Power Cab or JMRI DecoderPro.
1. Strongly Recommended: Record the original value in CV167 in case the effect is undesirable and it is necessary to revert to the original value).

Edit FAQ Related Articles: LokSound, Identify a LokSound Multifunction Decoder Related Manufacturer: Electronic Solutions Ulm Categories: Multifunction Decoder, Programming

Q: "Locking" a LokSound Sound Project

To lock a sound file, go to the File menu and select Protect Sound Project.

This will create a locked file for the LokSound decoder.

Q: What is a LokProgrammer

The LokProgrammer is a combination of hardware and software which is used to configure and load project files for ESU LokSound multifunction decoders.

Loading new projects into the decoder, including sound files, requires the LokProgrammer hardware. The software can be used to determine the configuration, and either manually entered into the decoder or exported and loaded into JMRI.

It can also load new firmware into an older decoder, as well as define the decoder's defaults.

The biggest advantage of the LokProgrammer is the speed at which it can read and write data to the decoder.

Edit FAQ Related Articles: LokProgrammer, Electronic Solutions Ulm Related Manufacturer: Electronic Solutions Ulm Categories: Multifunction Decoder, Programming

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