RailCom® 15. RailCom® LokPilot V4.0
LokPilot V4.0 DCC
LokPilot micro V4.0
LokPilot micro V4.0 DCC
RailCom® was developed by Lenz® Elektronik, Giessen, Germany, and is a technology for transmitting information from the decoder back to the command station. Until now DCC systems could only transmit data from the command station to the decoder but could never be sure if the decoder actually received the commands. The locomotive can send the following information to the command station: Locomotive address: The decoder transmits its address on request by „Broadcast“. Detectors in a certain track sector can detect this command. Thus, the command station can find out the location of that particular locomotive. CV information: The decoder can provide feedback about all CV values to the command station per RailCom®. In future, a programming track will not be necessary any more. Meta data: The decoder can transmit status information such as motor load, current draw of the motor, temperature etc. to the command station. In order for RailCom® to work all decoders and the command station must be equipped accordingly. LokPilot decoders are RailCom®-ready in terms of their hardware. However, it may be necessary to carry out a firmware update in order to activate it. Prior to use RailCom® must be unlocked by setting bit 3 in CV 29. CV 28 offers further options. Ex works, RailCom® is active in ESU LokPilot V4.0 decoders.
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15.1. RailCom Plus®
LokPilot V4.0 decoders support RailComPlus®, an absolute world novelty developed by Lenz® in collaboration with ESU. Decoders equipped with RailComPlus® will be automatically recognised by a RailComPlus®-compatible command station.You will never ever have to change the locomotive address of a new locomotive by hand! Just put the locomotive on the tracks and it will be recognised automatically. Also the name of the locomotive, the functional key symbols as well as the kind of the functions (long-term function and moment function) will be transferred. And all that happens within less seconds, you don´t have to wait anymore! 15.1.1. Prerequisites for RailCom Plus®
RailComPlus® implies an accordingly equipped digital command station. The ESU ECoS command station supports RailComPlus®capable decoders from software 3.4. You don´t need to change anything about the decoder settings. It will be automatically recognised. Of course you can change the locomotive name, all functional key and locomotive symbols and after that write it back on your decoder. This happens automatically in the background. If you do not wish to have the automatic recognition, you can switch it off by deleting CV 28, bit 7.