Original page created on 30/11/2012.
The principle
21 pin standard interface
Here is the 21 pin standard interface as defined by NMRA (S-9.1.1 Electrical Interface & Wire Colour Code E: 21 Pin Connector Interface), page 7 :
The 21 pin ESU interface
Here is the 21 pin interface as specified in the ESU document LokPilot_V40_Family_Users_manual_Edition_3.pdf :
A priori, no incompatibility. It was predictable, as it would be difficult to imagine a decoder manufacturer not complying with the NMRA. Therefore, the decoder is not involved in the problem.
The LSM trick
If we look a little closer at the list of addresses to modify in the leaflet of LSM locos, we soon realize that the decoder outputs are redefined. Be aware that this list is different depending on whether the decoder is V3.0 or V4.0!
| Output | Assignment | Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| normal | LS Models | ||
| Lights forward | White front lights, red back lights | Lighting of front cabin | We understand why a cabin lights in place of the headlights with another decoder. |
| Lights backward | White back lights, red front lights | Lighting of rear cabin | Same remark |
| AUX1, AUX2 | At will | Distress flashing | Why does it need two outputs? |
| AUX3 | At will | Lights forward | Conversely, how to control two independent elements (white lights and red lights) with only one decoder output? |
| AUX4 | At will | Lights backward | Same remark |
The trick is therefore to switch the auxiliary outputs, playing on the fact that the Lokpilot (and Loksound) have all their outputs direction sensitive, i.e. they can be programmed differently according to the travel direction, which is not the case in other brands. I know of one exception: the Lenz Silver+ has an auxiliary output direction sensitive (in addition to the normal outputs for lights, of course).
This feature makes it possible to control the lights with an auxiliary output. However, there remains one enigma: only one output (e.g. AUX3) controls the white front lights and the red rear lights. Then how are they made independent, since the red lights can be extinguished when the loco is harnessed to a train? To answer, the electronic card should be reverse-engineered, but this could damage it (double-sided circuit, tight components, etc.) I do not want to take the chance.