Large Scale Central

Need Help Setting Up Massoth DiMax Navigator #813701

General Discussion
#1

I just switched over in February 2015 from DC power to DCC using a Piko Central Station and a Massoth DiMax Navigator FM 8134701 controller. The Massoth German company that makes the DCC electronics for its units and the LGB and Piko units doesn’t contain real user-friendly instructions on how to set-up the DiMax Navigator. I’ve tried to go through the protocol for establishing all the elements for my two Bachmann DCC equipment Climax locos and not fully successful. The Navigator was bought “like new” from someone on eBay who had programmed one of their steam locos in it and I’m using it to control one of my locos, but I’m not successful so far in trying to establish the separate program for my second loco. Does anyone know of a good “plain English” instruction “how to” guide that I can get for this Massoth DiMax Navigator 8134701?

Thanks and stumped!

Tom

#2

Hi Thomas,

Welcome to LSC!

On that product number, the 701 ending has me stumped. Anyway, here are the links to the English versions of the manual

http://www.massoth.de/dlbereich/datei.php?id=63

http://www.massoth.de/dlbereich/datei.php?id=296

http://www.massoth.de/dlbereich/datei.php?id=645

Hopefully one of them will do the trick.

#3

the words you are using are interesting. There’s really no “program”. The fundamental concept of control is that each locomotive has an address (actually it can have 3, but let’s keep this simple).

You control a locomotive by selecting it’s address and sending commands to it, that are prefaced by the locomotive address. This address is “contained” within the locomotive electronics, and can be changed.

Pretty much universal is a “default address” of 3… if you put two locomotives on the track both with the same address then they will both respond.

You need to set unique addresses for each loco, and most people use a 4 digit address that comes from the locomotive number visible on the exterior.

Perhaps this is what you are asking about?

Regards, Greg

#4

Hans and Greg - Thanks for both of your comments. I’ll review the user guides posted in conjunction with the one that came with the unit. When I’m using the term program I using it to mean “set-up” the locos. The previous owner of the unit had already established one of his locos in the unit with the various parameters for his loco…I think that’s what’s causing me some issues. I guess I should just delete his loco data and start from scratch in setting up mine.

By the way, one analog loco can also be run using the Massoth Navigator while running the DCC decoder equipment locos. I tried running my LGB White Pass diesel and it operates fine but emits a loud high pitched hum noise…any opinions on whether it’s harmful to run a non-DCC equipped loco using DCC? If Massoth’s user’s manual explains how to do it, I might assume it’s ok since their the electronics experts?

#5

If memory serves the analog engine is being run using a zero stretched mode. To learn more about it check this.

https://sites.google.com/site/markgurries/home/technical-discussions/dc-loco-on-dcc

As far as noise and potential damage goes

https://sites.google.com/site/markgurries/home/technical-discussions/dc-loco-on-dcc/dc-locomotive-damage-risk

#6

Running a DC locomotive on DCC will cause it to hum, some louder then others. Some sources say that it can be hard on the motor, and others say that will not harm the motor. So, take your pick.

#7

In a nutshell, DCC is normally alternating positive and negative pulses of equal size. In “zero stretching” the system makes either the positive or negative pulse “half” longer. this is very hard on locomotives, and evidence exists that it reduces the magnetic field on motors. It CLEARLY makes the motors heat more and “Buzz”…

Not recommended. Used to be popular, people are beginning to drop support, NCE stopped supporting it some time ago…

Greg

#8

Hi Thomas,

What is your problem exactly with the Navigator? Are you having difficulty programming the settings on the actual loco decoders themselves, such as the decoder address? Or is that you are trying to set up their individual profiles on the handset? There are two distinct steps here, with the first being done on a programming track to set the loco number etc. Once this is done, the second step is to set a the profile in the Navigator for each individual loco that consists of a quick picture, and short name, the appropriate speed steps, as well as which of the functions are latching or momentary.

I’m a long time Massoth DCC user and I would be more than happy to help with any question or problems if I can! The Massoth Navigator is actually quite a simple and straight forward tool to use, quite intuitive once you know where all the right menus and options are.

Please let me know if I can be of any help.

Best wishes,

Gavin

#9

I visited a friend that has a Navigator and found that the system he has assumes 14 speed steps on a new loco.

I brought my LGB 2063 with a Zimo decoder set to address 50 and 28/128 speed steps and it did not work.

We changed the Navigator system to 128 speed steps for that address and everything started working except for the Zimo Waltz function.

Now my friend has had his system software upgraded and I will have to try that loco again with a differet address to see what the system assumes.

PS the new Marklin engines are shipping with 28/128 speed steps activated so MTS users must be aware of this change to operate the new equipment.