Lenz

Manufacturer: Lenz

Summary: Manufacturer of DCC equipment including command stations, throttles, stationary and mobile decoders

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General information
Phone	+49-0-6403 900 133
Fax	+49-0-6403 900 155
Email
Main URL	Main URL
URL to manuals
Address	Lenz Elektronik GmbH · Hüttenbergstrasse 29 · D 35398 Gießen
Date Opened
Date Closed
Successor
Device Types	Booster, Command Station, Mobile Decoder, Power Supply, Stationary Decoder, Throttle

Lenz Germany

Lenz Electronik Website, in German

Lenz Electronic GmBH has been sold. Modelleisenbahngesellschaft mbH

Lenz in North America

Lenz is no longer active in the North American market.
Should you need service, the only authorized Lenz service centre for North America was TLA Custom Models. Accessory Pathways has assumed the role. They have the necessary software to upgrade Lenz equipment to V3.6.

Notes

Lenz was represented in the US by Tried and True Trains (Debbie Ames) from 1995 to 2012. As of 2012, TTT closed when the owners retired.
American Hobby Distributors then became the only authorized Lenz wholesaler in North America.
In 1997, TLA Custom Models became the warranty/service centre for Lenz products, as well as providing support for Canada. As of 2013, TLA Custom Models became the support centre for all of North America.
North American support is now through Accessory Pathways

Lenz and the Development of the NMRA's Digital Command Control

When the NMRA set up its Command Control Working Group, an early decision was to forego the analog technology available and focus exclusively on digital technology. The WG requested samples of command control systems using digital techniques from a number of manufacturers for the purpose of evaluating the technology. A few manufacturers did participate, notably Marklin, with its Digital= System. After evaluating the submissions, the WG determined that the signaling technique used by Digital= was suited to the application. The WG then built their DCC protocol around the concept of using a combined power + data signal.

After settling on a data transmission method and basic protocol, the NMRA contacted Lenz, the contractor who developed Marklin's command control system. The NMRA cannot, and will not, incorporate any patented technologies or commercial products into an NMRA standard. Lenz reviewed the draft standard and indicated that the proposed DCC protocol did not infringe on any patents held by Lenz.

In fact, the proposed DCC protocol was significantly different than that of the Lenz system, and added numerous features and provisions for future enhancements.

Lenz Digital Plus Product Line

The main product is Lenz's Digital Plus. This is their Digital Command Control system. Lenz also produces a variety of DCC components and accessories. Please note that not all Lenz command control products are NMRA Digital Command Control compliant products.

Lenz is an electronics company, whose involvement in command control began in the 1980s as a contractor to Marklin.

In the early 2000s, Lenz decided to rename their products from Set 01 and Set 02 to Set 90 and Set 100 respectively. The throttles are almost identical to the older ones in Set 01 and Set 02. The electronics and software are much improved in the Set 90 and Set 100. The product names are derived from the throttle included in the set, an LH90 or LH100. The separate command station and booster combination have been replaced by an integrated command station/booster. The new unit also included RailCom and improved response times on large layouts with multiple locomotives in operation.

Lenz warranties their Digital Command Control products for 6 years.

Starter Sets

The current starter set is as follows:

Set101 (2019)

The Set100 is no longer in production.

Set101

https://www.lenz-elektronik.de/digitalplus-startsets.php

LZV200 command station, 5A

Integrated USB port
- Updates can be made using a USB memory stick
- Computer connection
Global RailCom detector
- CVs can be read during operation with LRC120 display unit and RailCom enabled decoders.
- RailCom feature is activated at the factory
Internal memory retention cell is now a replaceable CR2450
Accessory address space expanded to 1 to 2048 addresses

LH101 controller/throttle

9998 addresses
Normal or switching/shunting modes
Routes stored by throttle
Club Mode available
28/128 speed steps
2 and 4 digit addressing
Consisting
Automatic control optional
XpressNet

Club Modes

Club Mode 1: Only the acquired locomotive can be controlled, functions assigned to the function keys A, B and C can be switched, switches and signals can be switched. All other operating options of the LH01 are locked.
Club Mode 2: Only the acquired locomotive can be controlled, functions assigned to function keys A, B and C can be switched. All other operating options of the LH01 are locked.

Set101-R

This is the Radio version of Set101.

LH101-R handheld throttle
LTM101 reciever

Command Stations

Main article: Manufacturer:Lenz/Command Stations

Lenz now offers version 4.0 of the LVZ200. It now supports 69 functions when used with a compatible throttle.

Lenz FAQs

Q: What does error 02 mean on my Lenz command station?

When Error 02 occurs while programming it indicates that the command station did not receive a response from the decoder. Most decoders will briefly energize the motor to indicate the command has been received. The command station can detect that.

Troubleshooting

If an Error 02 is occurring, check the following items:

Connection from the command station to the programming track.
If a newly wired programming track, verify the connections to the programming track.
Verify the decoder is wired correctly (if recently installed).
Check the electrical connections between the wheels and the decoder.
Is the locomotive close to the programming track's feeders?
Are the track and wheels clean?

Edit FAQ Related Articles: Decoder Programming Related Manufacturer: Lenz Categories: Command Station

Q: Runaway Locomotives with Lenz DCC Systems

A runaway is a locomotive which will not respond to commands. It may accelerate from a stop or not respond to throttle commands while in motion.

The usual cause is a corrupted DCC signal, which forces the multifunction decoder to change from NMRA DCC Mode to an alternate power source, which in many cases is Analog DC. The decoder responds to the track voltage by maximum power to the motor.

Some Lenz DCC systems, when powered by an AC power supply, may have runaway locomotives during the power-up sequence. This is caused by noise in the AC power being applied to the track during the command station's boot up sequence, which causes a runaway. The internal DC power supply allows the noise to pass through.

Some Lenz owners will add a toggle switch between the booster output and the track to allow them to disconnect track power until the system is up and running.

Other systems may also exhibit this issue if they lack the ability to switch track power off.

For a Lenz DCC System owner, investing in a quality switching power supply which provides clean DC power will help eliminate this issue. This is true for other systems which also use an AC supply.

When selecting a power supply, as always: Read the manual for the correct voltage and current required.

Edit FAQ Related Articles: Power Conversion, Power Supply Related Manufacturer: Lenz Categories: Command Station, Power

Q: Can I use a Lenz LVZ100 command station with LV100, LV101, or LV102 booster?

Generally speaking, yes. If the combination will not work, but did previously, check the C, D and E connections. Miswiring is often the culprit.

Edit FAQ Related Manufacturer: Lenz Categories: Booster, Command Station

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