Large Scale Central

Revolution to LGB loco's with LGB 55026 MTS Decoder Interface Ca

General Discussion
#1

There is currently NO decoder and NO sound in my LGB small diesel engine 2006 vintage that has a factory direct decoder interface built into the rear of the engine.

I purchased a LGB 55026 MTS Decoder Interface Cable that was identified in the instruction book with this LGB engine for connecting a LGB decoder in a separate car. I assumed that a LGB sound module could also be added in the separate car.

Has anyone already successfully connected the Aristo Revolution to LGB loco’s with LGB 55026 MTS Decoder Interface Cable?

Perhaps, a Phoenix or other sound decoderwas added to the Revolution after this connection was made?

#2

Clarification: My question here is directed toward non-Aristo-Craft Revo installations. I searched the topic at the Aristo forum on “Non-Aristo-Craft Revo Installations” for LGB and MTS and did not find any matches. Thus, I created this thread.

I will need to disassemble the model to expose the main circuit board, find the miniature switches on the main circuit board, and set all the switches to the OFF position, even though I am using the plug on the outside of the back side of the engine. I will not be attaching the four decoder wires to the matching pins on the main circuit board, as I am placing an Revoluton receiver in a box car, along with a sound card, that will follow the engine.

The six color codes do not appear to follow the NMRA standard decoder assignments for 6-pins:
bl = blue NMRA common (+) headlight(s)/function(s) power source
rt = red NMRA Right Rail - from right-hand rail power pick-up to motor or interface
gb = yellow NMRA Rear Headlight - rear headlight(s) power sink
gr = green NMRA Output 3 power sink???
or = orange NMRA Motor Right - from interface to motor brush (+) connected to right-hand rail
bn = brown NMRA Output 4 power sink???

It is missing:
BLACK NMRA Left Rail - from left-hand rail power pick-up to motor or interface
GRAY NMRA Motor Left - from interface to motor brush (-) connected to left-hand rail
WHITE NMRA Front Headlight - front headlight(s) power sink

I am still hopeful to find someone who has successfully completed this type of installation to help me here.

#3

Bryan,
I can’t help you much.
I have converted 3 or 4 MTS equipped LGB locos by
gutting the entire LGB electronics and installing the new receivers and sound cards.
Much easier than trying to cobble something together using existing components.
When I mean gutting, I mean right down to soldering new wires to the motors, removal off all LGB brushes, busses, shoes…everything!
It doesn’t matter whether I install Revo or Airwire, the procedure is the same.

#4

John, thank you for the reply backon your experience with LGB conversions.

After spending several hours during each of two work sessions on installing a Lenz Gold Maxi with Lenz power USP module and Dietz sound card in a Bachmann Spectrum Porter, I could still not the motor running consistently, lights working and stop the JMRI DCC programming errors. So I “gutted” it and traced the wiring both the motor and rail pick-ups, which resulted in consistent motor operation and lights. Sadly, the wires fell off the USP module and now the sound card operaiton is erratic. Looks like another good case for continuing to move onto to Aristo Revolution and Phoenix.

I may end up “gutting” the LGB small diesel, but will first try using the decoder ready pins.