The NEW TCS LT-50 Handheld Command Station

From Train Control Systems 2022-11-28:

The LT-50 "Layout Throttle" is an intelligently-designed wired LCC throttle with a built-in DCC command station. Ergonomically designed to comfortably fit your hand and provide easy access to all of the buttons, the LT-50 is the perfect DCC command station for newcomers, or layout operators and builders looking for a highly-capable, portable command station and throttle. Like the CS-105, the LT-50 is overflowing with features, including RailCom® - but there's so much more it can do! This system brings a new level of operational convenience, as well as a wide range of new features compared to the competition. Instead of spending time with your head in a manual trying to understand your throttle, the intuitive interface of the LT-50 allows you to focus on the important things - operating and enjoying your trains!

The LT-50 can be used in multiple modes of operation:

1. Standalone Command Station mode - Full-featured handheld command station with LCC and RailCom® integration. (Specs are listed below)
2. Tethered LCC Throttle mode - Can be used with any LCC command station, such as the CS-105 or another LT-50, as a wired throttle.
3. Cab Bus mode - Using a special adapter cable (sold separately), the LT-50 can operate as a NCE client (throttle) and perform basic functions such as controlling locomotives and consists, and operating accessories and macros.

The LT-50 features an encoder-style knob for easy menu navigation as well as speed control. Package includes a spare knob.

Also included in the package is a 15V power supply, a single LT-50 fascia panel and fascia cover plate, four screws for mounting to your fascia board, detachable track power connector, and a single RJ-45 cable.

The design of the fascia panel board and cover plate allows for omni-directional mounting. The design also prevents you from using the wrong cover plate or installing it incorrectly. The fascia cover plate has markings on both sides which indicate the correct jack for the LT-50 in command station mode, even when mounted upside-down!

Cyber Monday Sale (Nov 28th - Dec 2nd) - Save $30!

For a limited time only, this Monday through Friday (Nov 28th - Dec 2nd), TCS is offering an exclusive introductory discounted price of $229.95 on the LT-50. During this limited time offer, you can save $30 on the LT-50. After December 2nd, the price will increase to $259.95. Don't miss out on this exclusive chance to save big! Please visit The Product Page for the LT-50 our website https://www.tcsdcc.com/ for more information and to shop.

Orders will begin shipping on or after December 9th (approximately two weeks).

On the LT-50 you will find many of the same familiar luxuries from the UWT-50, such as:

Comfortable, Ergonomic Design
Lightweight, ergonomic design maximizes user comfort and ease-of-access while limiting strain.

Large, Full-text Screen
1.42" x 0.92" LCD screen with white backlight. Brightness is entirely adjustable for a variety of operating conditions.

Nine Programmable Buttons
The encoder button, two buttons on the face of the throttle, as well as two multi-position switches on the side can be reassigned to control many functions. Examples include dynamic braking, manual notching, and more! Higher-numbered functions are now a simple button press or switch flick away!

Multiple Connection Modes
The LT-50 can be used as a standalone command station, but if connected into an LCC network, the LT-50 will act as a normal LCC throttle. For operators who prefer a wired throttle, the LT-50 can connected to a CS-105 to offer that wired throttle experience.

The LT-50 can also be connected to NCE command stations via a specialized adapter cable (not included) and function just like a NCE utility throttle.

Integrated Consisting System
Consisting doesn’t have to be difficult, intimidating, or complicated! The LT-50 features a simple consisting interface where users can make, modify, and break up consists in mere seconds.

Integrated Roster System
You can save your roster of locomotives into the memory of the LT-50. Information such as the Name, Description, Address, Consist Functions, and more can all be saved to an internal roster entry for easy access in the future.

Yard Mode
Yard Mode is an innovative, TCS exclusive feature designed for switching operations and control. Perfect for spicing up repetitive yard moves!

Full-Text Menus
Menus present all options in full words and phrases. No guess work or manuals needed!

Help Text
Use the [?] button on the keypad in any menu to access help text for that menu item. The throttle will display a simple description of the highlighted option. Help is always one button press away!

Flashlight
The LT-50 unit comes equipped with two bright white LED's that can be activated at any time - handy for those dropped screws, lost detail parts, decoupling, and ventures under dark, cavernous benchwork.

Specifications:

Dimensions
6.57" x 1.96" x 0.97" (L x W x D) - (Handheld Only)

Display
1.42" x 0.92" backlit LCD, 128x64 pixels, white LED

Power Source
Wired; 15V, 36W (Included)

Communication Type(s)
LCC CAN-bus (RJ-45)

Communication Protocol(s)
Digital Command Control (DCC)
Layout Command Control (LCC)
RailCom®

DCC System Specifications

• 1.4A continuous, 2.8A peak current | Configurable current limit and protections | Soft-start |
• Integrated RailCom® detector
• Programming Track over main output with automatic switchover, supporting Direct, Paged, and Register modes
• DCC accessory control for addresses 1 - 2044
• Up to 20, 10-step Macros, including LCC accessory control
  
  

Also Available - Expansion Panels

For users looking to expand their LCC networks, TCS also offers add-on panels for LCC throttles. These panels can be mounted around your layout for guest operators or larger layouts where moving your tethered throttle from place to place is necessary. The LCC Throttle Panel from TCS allows you to connect additional LT-50's or our upcoming T-50's to your LCC-enabled layout.Up to two throttles can be connected per-panel, and multiple panels can be daisy-chained throughout your network using the two LCC jacks in the rear. LCC power can also be supplied from any LCC Throttle Panel if using a separate 15V, 30W power supply (not included).

The design of this fascia panel board and cover plate allows for omni-directional mounting. The design also prevents you from using the LT Panel cover plate on the LCC Throttle Panel and vice-versa.

The LCC Throttle Panel is available for $24.95. Package includes 4x mounting screws for securing to your fascia.

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Freeing up an ESU v5 LokSound Decoder SoundCV

LokSound decoders have a series of CVs that they refer to as SoundCVs. These CVs are located at the top of the Sound slot settings page of the Decoder pane. See fig. 1.

Figure 1 SoundCVs and their configuration

Notice that the majority of the SoundCVs are already in use by the programmed decoder. SoundCVs 1 through 10 are standard settings across all the sound files the author has looked at and used. The remaining ones are set as needed by the developers of the sound files. Notice SoundCV16 is free for use by the end-user (that’s you). The corresponding CVs that hold these values are CVs 155 through 170. So the SoundCV1 value is held in CV 155 SoundCV2 is held in CV 156 etc. It should be mentioned that v4 decoder do not have these SoundCVs defined as the v5 decoders do.

So this is all well and good but how are these SoundCVs used and how do we access them? Let’s examine the Overview sheet of the Sound pane shown in fig 2.

Figure 2 Sound slots and SoundCVs

Using your mouse hover over the    symbol for sound slot 1 and you’ll see all the SoundCVs used by that sound slot. That symbol represents SoundCV usage and demonstrates which sound slots use them.

Recommendations

Just a couple of recommendations on what SoundCVs to change and which ones to not change, first, modifying those used in the prime mover sound slot is asking for trouble. Don’t do it unless you absolutely know what you are doing. This also applies to any of the other sound slots. Second, find a sound slot that you can do without. An example of this is sound slot 26, Starting Delay. It uses SoundCV 13. If you turn off the Starting Delay feature shown at the bottom of the Driving Characteristics sheet you will free up SoundCV 13. ESU recommends you turn this setting off with trains in a consist anyway. This is the recommended procedure. Determine what you can do without and utilize the unused SoundCV(s).

An Alternative

The author explained in the “update” section of this post that there is an alternative to removing a sound slot. Take a look back at figure 1. At the bottom of the figure is a value called Sound Configuration. The ESU developers left this single quantity that can be accessed from a sound slot. The really great thing about this is that each sound slot has its own Sound Configuration variable. So they gave you one value you can use as you see fit. How you access this quantity is explained in the <Update> section of this post.

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Resetting Digitrax DT6xx Throttle To Factory Defaults

Several peole have asked the author how to reset the Digitrax DT602D to factory default settings. The following procedure works for the 602 throttles.

1. Turn on the throttle
2. Press the menu key 
3. Press 3 two times, you will be in the Options Editor menu
4. Rotate the left throttle counterclockwise to option 40
5. Press the change button ("C" soft key)
6. Press the X key
7. Done

The only thing you will notice is all the keys will go to maximum brightness. 

Hope this helps everyone.

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• If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it.