Did you try to programm it with Lenz?
Hornby Stationary Decoders
6
I also recently bought a couple of the new Hornby stationary Points decoders.
They are reasonably priced, but it is possible to buy cheaper devices that do the same thing from other brands on eBay.
The Hornby R8216 Points decoder.
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To access the screw terminals, remove the plastic covers.
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The connections to the point motors and the connection to the track are on the sides.
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The underside of the PC board showing the decoder chip on the left.
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The top of the PCB showing the discharge capacitors.
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Together with the decoder, you get a screwdriver for the terminals, a track connector for programming the decoder and wire to connect the decoder to the programming track. Very cryptic warning message too.
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Some points of interest:
The decoder connects to the track for the DCC signal, but also for the power to switch the points motors. I suppose that the capacitors store the energy required to throw the points. Other points decoders that I'm familiar with, use a separate power source to not overload the track's current. I suppose that this is really designed for the train set market.
To program the decoder, you have to connect it to the track - removing all other locos and other points decoders first. Then you allocate it an address. Using the Hornby Select, you can give it an address of say 60 and the 4 points connected to it will then have addresses of 60, 61, 62 and 63.
Programming with the Elite will apparently be much the same, but Hornby advise using addresses starting with 0 (0, 1, 2 & 3).
This system of programming the accessory decoder from the track by assigning a decoder number means that the device can only be used with the Hornby DCC system. Other points decoders (at least the ones that I've seen) are set by holding a button on the decoder whilst assigning a bank of switches on the controller or points keyboard. This then links the decoder to the 4 or 6 or 8 subsequent switches in the bank linked to the decoder.
Update: At first I couldn't access the points decoder using my Lenz system, I couldn't program it, use it. I was using CV mode though.
If you use Register mode (Page mode may also work), you can get through to the decoder.
If you want the first numbered point to be 1, set Register 1 or Page 1 to value 1. If you want the first point to be address 5, set R1 or P1 to be value 2, and so on in increases of 4 to the desired point address and increases of 1 to P1 or R1. (Info found on the Hornby site posted by a user there).
In another way:
Register 1 value of 1, to control:
- Point 1
- Point 2
- Point 3
- Point 4
Register 1 value of 2, to control:
- Point 5
- Point 6
- Point 7
- Point 8
Register 1 value of 3, to control:
- Point 9
- Point 10
- Point 11
- Point 12
Register 1 value of 4, to control:
- Point 13
- Point 14
- Point 15
- Point 16
etc.
They are reasonably priced, but it is possible to buy cheaper devices that do the same thing from other brands on eBay.
The Hornby R8216 Points decoder.
To access the screw terminals, remove the plastic covers.
The connections to the point motors and the connection to the track are on the sides.
The underside of the PC board showing the decoder chip on the left.
The top of the PCB showing the discharge capacitors.
Together with the decoder, you get a screwdriver for the terminals, a track connector for programming the decoder and wire to connect the decoder to the programming track. Very cryptic warning message too.
Some points of interest:
The decoder connects to the track for the DCC signal, but also for the power to switch the points motors. I suppose that the capacitors store the energy required to throw the points. Other points decoders that I'm familiar with, use a separate power source to not overload the track's current. I suppose that this is really designed for the train set market.
To program the decoder, you have to connect it to the track - removing all other locos and other points decoders first. Then you allocate it an address. Using the Hornby Select, you can give it an address of say 60 and the 4 points connected to it will then have addresses of 60, 61, 62 and 63.
Programming with the Elite will apparently be much the same, but Hornby advise using addresses starting with 0 (0, 1, 2 & 3).
This system of programming the accessory decoder from the track by assigning a decoder number means that the device can only be used with the Hornby DCC system. Other points decoders (at least the ones that I've seen) are set by holding a button on the decoder whilst assigning a bank of switches on the controller or points keyboard. This then links the decoder to the 4 or 6 or 8 subsequent switches in the bank linked to the decoder.
Update: At first I couldn't access the points decoder using my Lenz system, I couldn't program it, use it. I was using CV mode though.
If you use Register mode (Page mode may also work), you can get through to the decoder.
If you want the first numbered point to be 1, set Register 1 or Page 1 to value 1. If you want the first point to be address 5, set R1 or P1 to be value 2, and so on in increases of 4 to the desired point address and increases of 1 to P1 or R1. (Info found on the Hornby site posted by a user there).
In another way:
Register 1 value of 1, to control:
- Point 1
- Point 2
- Point 3
- Point 4
Register 1 value of 2, to control:
- Point 5
- Point 6
- Point 7
- Point 8
Register 1 value of 3, to control:
- Point 9
- Point 10
- Point 11
- Point 12
Register 1 value of 4, to control:
- Point 13
- Point 14
- Point 15
- Point 16
etc.
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QUOTE (dbclass50 @ 20 Dec 2006, 15:58) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>If this is the case (& with the H loco decoders ?) would it help to just use a DPDT switch to select DCC power/programming to running track or to "programming area" so you hand effectivly have a programming track ?
Yes, if anyone is using this on a fixed layout, this sort of approach would be advisable. Taking the locos off is one thing, but you wouldn't want to have to unplug all the other stationary decoders too.
An isolated programming track is the way to go.
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Yes, if anyone is using this on a fixed layout, this sort of approach would be advisable. Taking the locos off is one thing, but you wouldn't want to have to unplug all the other stationary decoders too.
An isolated programming track is the way to go.
4
QUOTE I can't access the Hornby points decoder with my Lenz system, I can't program it, I can't use it.
So Doug, you're saying the Hornby points decoder is not compatible with the Lenz system or any other system other than Hornby? Is that correct?
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How big size wise is the decoder?
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does it do four points?
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How much did it cost you?
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So Doug, you're saying the Hornby points decoder is not compatible with the Lenz system or any other system other than Hornby? Is that correct?
How big size wise is the decoder?
does it do four points?
How much did it cost you?
Of course Doug you have the other option.............you could toss away all your other DCC kit and embrace the new Hornby system wholeheartedly and buy an Elite, maybe then your stationary decoders will work, you may regard this approach as radical !
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Ok let's not get started again.
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4
QUOTE (neil_s_wood @ 20 Dec 2006, 22:53) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>So Doug, you're saying the Hornby points decoder is not compatible with the Lenz system or any other system other than Hornby? Is that correct?
![]()
How big size wise is the decoder?
![]()
does it do four points?
![]()
How much did it cost you?
![]()
Update: You can program it in Register mode - see first post. So you should be able to use it with other systems as long as you can program directly to the device in Register mode.
The decoder box is about 100mm x 65mm x 30mm
The decoder switches 4 points
The R8316 points decoder sells in the UK for between £20 and £24
How big size wise is the decoder?
does it do four points?
How much did it cost you?
Update: You can program it in Register mode - see first post. So you should be able to use it with other systems as long as you can program directly to the device in Register mode.
The decoder box is about 100mm x 65mm x 30mm
The decoder switches 4 points
The R8316 points decoder sells in the UK for between £20 and £24
They might if they find out there isn't enough "juice" to throw the switch and their prized locomotive is headed for a collision with the floor.
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1 - 20 of 30 Posts
