By now, the third generation of LokSound decoders has been made available. All past experiences, wishes, and suggestions of our customers were brought into its development. The LokSound V3.5 is the standard for digital sound decoders. No other product can offer you more. Due to the integration of digital decoder and sound module, the LokSound decoder measures now only 31x15 mm (1.2x0.6 inch.). Its unique thermal design causes no temperature problems; heat sinks are unknown with a genuine LokSound decoder. We ship the LokSound V3.5 decoder with an eight-pin NEM652 function plug. The installation into engines with a digital interface is especially simple: Open up the loco, remove the dummy-plug, and plug in the decoder, button up the loco – done!

Operational modes

The LokSound V3.5 recognizes the DCC and Motorola® protocol. It will operate as well in DCC mode with 14, 28 or 128 speed steps; or on analogue DC layouts. It supports Lenz® LG 100, respectively Roco braking-sections as well as braking in DC blocks with reversed polarity, or the Märklin® braking section, which, from LokSound version 3.5 on, will even be recognized in DCC mode. You can either use two digit (0-127), or four digit (1-9999) addresses, or assign a consist address. The Motorola® protocol makes it possible to run theLokSound decoder with Märklin® stations 6020,6021, delta, mobile station®, and central station®. Hereby the decoders handle addresses 01-80, stop correctly on the Märklin® braking section, and can be used without problems on all analog AC layouts. During operation, the LokSound decoder converses automatically between all four control modes: AC, Motorola; DC, DCC. That’s important, in case you run parts of your layout (e.g. fiddle yard) in analog mode.

Motor management

All customary DC or coreless motors, regardless whether from Roco®, Fleischmann®, Brawa®, Mehano®, Bemo®, Märklin®, Faulhaber® or Maxon® can be hooked up to the powerful, 1.1 A steady-load last stage of the LokSound V3.5 decoder. All-current motors can be continued to use if you replace the field winding with a HAMO magnet. The back EMF with 32 kHz High frequency regulation takes care of a silky smooth, absolutely quiet motor operation and lets your engines crawl super slowly on the layout. A 10-bit A/D-converter makes this possible. Due to Dynamic Drive Control (DCC) you can limit the influence of the load control, and operate really smoothly around the depot and over turnouts, while on the main, when going uphill, the engine slows prototypically down.

Sound

The LokSound V3.5 decoder stores up to 138 seconds of sound data in its 8 MBit flash chip. This is transferred to the last stage audio amplifier via four polyphonic sound channels. The ability of LokSound V3.5 to reproduce sound, such as load dependant strain (de-selectable), or Doppler Effect, brings you closer to reality again. The channel volume can be adjusted separately.

Analog operation

As of LokSound V3.5 load control also functions in analog mode, where you can pre-determine startingand top speed. Also the sound-sequences are there: LokSound V3.5 offers model railroaders even without a digital system the chance to enjoy LokSound.

Functions

The LokSound V3.5 offers four function outputs with 250 mA continuous-current each that can be allocated individually to a function. Besides beacon, strobe and alternate flashing, there is firebox flicker, as well as Mars light or Gyra light for US models. All function outputs are individually dimmable in 15 steps. Each function output can be allocated to any function key between F0 and F15 (mapping), and complies therefore with the latest NMRA DCC directives. Furthermore, the combination of sound-and function sequences makes it possible to simulate realistic function events, such as firebox flicker when shovelling coal.

Programming

The LokSound decoder supports all DCC-programming modes. All adjustments are done electronically. This is even true when working with Märklin® control units 6020, 6021, mobile station® and central station®. For these units, the LokSound decoder employs a proven, easily acquired programming procedure. All programmed modifications during Motorola® operation are valid with DCC and vice verse. Programming configuration variables (CV’s) is especially comfortable for owners of our ECoS Command Station: All variations are displayed in plain language on the large screen and can easily be altered – even during operation on the layout.

Safeguard

All function outputs and the motor connection are protected against overload and short-circuit. We want you to enjoy your LokSound decoder as long as possible.

Built-in future

LokSound decoders are firmware-updatable. This means, the internal decoder software can be replaced by new versions, if need be. For this, you only need an ESU LokProgrammer and a PC. You will appreciate the value of this investment, when you realize that any owner of a V3.0 LokSound decoder can, through an update, turn it into a V3.5 LokSound decoder: You can download the software from our homepage – free of charge.

Variety of sound

ESU, as market and technology leader, takes your demands for sound realism very seriously. That’s why we offer, for the LokSound V3.5 alone, over 400 (!) sound variants. When you purchase a sound module of a certain prototype from us, you can be sure the sound comes from that loco. Guaranteed! You can count on it. See the next pages for an exact summary of all available sounds.