tip: µcon-s88-master used with...
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Tip: µCon-s88-Master used with TrainController Date: 14-01-2015 09-11-2015 18-11-2018 link 01-02-19 s88n graphics 15-06-2019 LS digital files
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html 1
Hi All,
This is a documentation record of the steps required to install the µCon-s88-
Master on a large layout and configure its use with TrainController.
Background My friend Rudolf is building a large computer controlled layout which has 3 rail and 2 rail components.
He asked for advice on the type of track monitoring he should use for the layout. From my past
experience with the original Märklin s88’s it was only designed to have a maximum bus length of 6m. If you
tried to extend the 6m bus length you would encounter problems with the s88 units giving false indication so
reliable computer control would be compromised. The problem is the flat cable used to connect the s88
modules together are very susceptible to electrical interference as it is electrically unscreened and with the
options of other manufacturers making similar units they have chosen to use the new s88-N standard which
use cat5/6 data cable with RJ45 connectors.
Because of the large layout I wanted to have a high speed track monitoring system that could be used with
TrainController. It was a toss-up between the µCon-s88-Master from LS_digital and the HSI-88 from LDT .
Both systems can divide the s88 bus into 3 channels. I chose the µCon-s88-Master because it is Ethernet based
and there is the ability to adjust the speed of the system.
Hardware Used
µCon-s88-Master 12Vdc power socket and Ethernet socket
RJ45 sockets for channels s88 I, s88 II and s88 III
LED indicator and Reset button
Note:
The µCon-s88-Master needs a 12Vdc
power pack with 1Amp capacity.
I only purchased the µCon-s88-Master
without the power pack so I could buy a
local power pack to avoid the use of a
power adaptor.
Tip: µCon-s88-Master used with TrainController Date: 14-01-2015 09-11-2015 18-11-2018 link 01-02-19 s88n graphics 15-06-2019 LS digital files
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html 2
µCon-s88-Master
1. Jack for AC adaptor (Output 12Vdc 1Amp)
2. Socket for Network Cable (Home network)
3. Reset button to restart the µCon-s88-Master
4. LED indicates the operating status
Green: Device is in operation
Red: Device is not ready / device is in the boot process (wait a few seconds)
In operation the illuminated green LED flickers in a constant rhythm (approx 1 flash per
second) this flickering signals the connection to the PC.
5. RJ45 connection from the s88n modules for Channels I, II and III
The s88-master is now supported by Bühler electronic GmbH
Address
Bühler electronic GmbH
Ulmenstrasse 43
15370 Fredersdorf
Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 33439 867 - 0
Fax : +49 (0) 33439867 - 18
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: LS_digital
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Tip: µCon-s88-Master used with TrainController Date: 14-01-2015 09-11-2015 18-11-2018 link 01-02-19 s88n graphics 15-06-2019 LS digital files
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html 3
Hardware Used continued
Adaptors
If you have already made an investment in standard
Märklin s88 modules you can buy add on connector
conversion kits for the new s88-N standard shown. Huib Maaskant’s Shop
s88 Modules
Märklin 6088 or 60880
Digikeijs DR4088GND and DR4088CS
The DR4088GND module works the same as the Märklin 6088 or 60880 and the DR4088CS module is
used for current sensing on the 2 rail system.
Tip Opinion
From now on, only buy s88 modules that support the s88-N standard
See my Tip on The Diode Trick for further improvements.
Tip: µCon-s88-Master used with TrainController Date: 14-01-2015 09-11-2015 18-11-2018 link 01-02-19 s88n graphics 15-06-2019 LS digital files
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html 4
Cat 6 Ethernet Cables
I chose to use the s88-N colours mentioned on Huib’s site s88n Standard
Link for the above diagrams shown above Ethernet-Cables-RJ45
Tip: I bought Cat 6 cable and RJ45 male plugs @32c suitable for the solid Cat 6 cable from an electrical
wholesaler with the correct crimping tool @ $48.00 Jaycar and Dicksmith are just too expensive.
All connecting Ethernet cables were made to length to suit the placement of the s88 modules. Before
installation each cable was tested with a multimeter.
Once the Cat 6 cabling has been completed from the µCon-s88-Master to all s88 modules it’s time to
setup the µCon-s88-Master before trying to use it with TrainController.
Tip: µCon-s88-Master used with TrainController Date: 14-01-2015 09-11-2015 18-11-2018 link 01-02-19 s88n graphics 15-06-2019 LS digital files
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html 5
µCon-s88-Master Setup
At the time of writing this article the only instructions/manual from Lokstoredigital were in the German
language. This article is only a record on how I setup the µCon-s88-Master and all technical questions
should be addressed to LS_digital
I copied the contents of the supplied CD titled ‘µCon-Tools’ to my computer.
I then opened the ‘BDA LSdigital Programmer.pdf’ and with the aid of www.bing.com/translator I got an
idea how to setup the µCon-s88-Master.
With all the s88 modules wired to the µCon-s88-Master and the s88-Master connected to Rudolf’s train
network I powered on the s88-Master and executed ‘LSdigital programmer V2.0.exe’. I received a
message that Java was required to run the program. Once Java was installed on the new computer the
‘LSdigital programmer V2.0.exe’ ran ok.
The program finds the Local
address and the µCon-s88-
Master appears with the
Version # and IP address
(which may be different for
your network). This IP address
is required for the
TrainController setup.
Clicking on the Help will show
information about the
LSdigital Programmer.
Tip: µCon-s88-Master used with TrainController Date: 14-01-2015 09-11-2015 18-11-2018 link 01-02-19 s88n graphics 15-06-2019 LS digital files
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html 6
µCon-s88-Master Setup continued
The μCon-s88-Master has different settings that need to be changed or adjusted. To change options on the
μCon-s88 Master, select the μCon-s88 Master using the mouse.
Once you click on the line for the µCon-s88-
Master the form will expand as shown. The
only things you have to change, is to correct
the S88 Module count for each channel
connector I, II and III.
In the TrainController Help files it states
Even though the µCon-S88-Master needs to know the
number of modules connected to each particular bus,
it is not necessary to specify this number explicitly.
TrainController™ calculates these numbers
according to the data loaded into the software and
configures the µCon-S88-Master automatically.
The μCon-s88-Master supports up to 48 feedback modules having 16 channels or 96 modules with
8 channels. The total number of modules must be set for each channel in the s88-Master.
Example
2* 8 channel modules on Connector I is equal to 1* 16 channel module
3* 8 channel modules on Connector I is equal to 2* 16 channel module
The μCon-s88-Master has other settings that
make the s88 bus safer and less
sensitive to errors. To select one
on and switch-off delay for
example already in the device
use the pull down menu as
shown.
Under the Pro User section the bus speed can
be adjusted. This option is only necessary in
rare cases.
The following settings can be made:
Slow = here the bus is 30-70 per second
Standard = here the bus is 80-120 per second
Fast = here the bus is 130-200 per second
The bus clock with Standard setting works best. If the Fast setting is used with some modules, errors may
occur.
For the Feedback Filter and Pro User sections I didn’t change any of these settings and left them on
Standard. With the channel count set I selected the Write button then exited the LSdigital Programmer.
Tip: µCon-s88-Master used with TrainController Date: 14-01-2015 09-11-2015 18-11-2018 link 01-02-19 s88n graphics 15-06-2019 LS digital files
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html 7
µCon-s88-Master Setup continued
Under the Program button the static IP address can be change if required. The Port = 11,082 should be left
alone.
I chose to use the defaults that the programmer set.
Make a note of the IP address to be used in TrainController ‘Setup Digital Systems’
Note:
If at any time you want to make changes to the μCon-s88-Master, ensure TrainController is not running
before running the LSdigital Programmer.
Tip: µCon-s88-Master used with TrainController Date: 14-01-2015 09-11-2015 18-11-2018 link 01-02-19 s88n graphics 15-06-2019 LS digital files
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html 8
µCon-s88-Master Setup with TrainController
The BDAuCon-s88-Master_V3.0.pdf is missing from the supplied CD so I downloaded it from
LSdigital-shop
Again the information is only in the German language but the pictures for non German speakers helps.
Please note the μCon-s88-Master is only
supported with TrainController from
Version 8.0 revision B4 and onwards.
From the Railroad menu select Setup
Digital Systems...
Select the Add ... button
Tip: µCon-s88-Master used with TrainController Date: 14-01-2015 09-11-2015 18-11-2018 link 01-02-19 s88n graphics 15-06-2019 LS digital files
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html 9
µCon-s88-Master Setup with TrainController continued
From the pull down menu select μCon
μCon-s88-Master
For the IP-Address enter the correct
address you obtained when using the
LSdigital Programmer. Then select
OK.
Now TrainController has two digital systems
so select OK once again.
Tip: µCon-s88-Master used with TrainController Date: 14-01-2015 09-11-2015 18-11-2018 link 01-02-19 s88n graphics 15-06-2019 LS digital files
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html 10
Important Wire Required
For your track detection to work well one of the s88 modules for your layout must be connected to the
(O) Gnd/Masse of your digital system.
The ‘T’ on the 6088/60880 module or the C connection on the DR4088GND module
Monitoring All s88 Modules
I created two Extended Accessories s88n-16.yrz and s88n-8.yrz which can be inserted into a switchboard
so at one look I can see all the s88 modules.
The s88 Contacts Chart
s88_contacts.bmp was created
so it can be inserted as a picture
in the switchboard.
As an example 2k117 is a
naming convention. The 2k
prefix means Channel II and
117 is on s88 module m8,
contact #5
Please see supplied files at the
end of this document.
(O) or
Tip: µCon-s88-Master used with TrainController Date: 14-01-2015 09-11-2015 18-11-2018 link 01-02-19 s88n graphics 15-06-2019 LS digital files
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html 11
Monitoring All s88 Modules continued
I created a switchboard called s88n Monitor and displayed it as a Tabbed Document
When s88 contacts are activated the contact and pin number display red
Required Properties for the Extended Accessories
Name the device with a meaningful name
You have to be very careful to select the correct Digital System and channel.
Tip: µCon-s88-Master used with TrainController Date: 14-01-2015 09-11-2015 18-11-2018 link 01-02-19 s88n graphics 15-06-2019 LS digital files
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html 12
Extended Accessories continued
Channel I Channel II Channel III
For the first s88 module of each channel the Base address must have
a value of 1.
As the s88 modules are added to each channel you must select the
correct Digital System Channel and the Base Address will increase
by +1 in the serial chain for each channel.
Indicator Names & Addresses
1k1 2k1 3k1
1k17
Statistics: Rudolf is using 24x s88n modules (16 inputs each) a total of 384 indicators.
Supplied files contained in s88n_files.zip are s88n-8.yrz, s88-16.yrz and s88_contacts.bmp
Ls_digital files contained in ls_digital.zip 11,496Kb
This document may change as I learn more about the operation of the μCon-s88-Master with
TrainController.
As always enjoy your model trains.