Photos with High Resolution for Download:     MX695KN     MX695KV    MX695KS    MX695LV    MX695LS     MX696N     MX696V    MX696S  

All types of MX695: 6 A motor current, 2 A function current (total), 10 Watt audio power nvertheless low energy dissipation, 4 servo outputs in addition to the "normal" outputs (8-15 depending on type), connections for external energy storage (also for Gold Cap Packs), especially important for uninterrupted sound.

                              MX695KN: 32 screw connections+ 4 three-pin connections (servo connections), 14 function outputs,
                                                   3 low voltage outputs (5 V, 10 V, variable), 4 servo outputs with 5 V, variable (low voltage)

                         MX695KN: WITHOUT Sound; all other types WITH Sound.

MX695KV:  36 screw connections, 14 functions outputs and 1 special output smoke fan, 3 low voltage outputs (5 V, 10 V, adjjstable), 4 servo outputs with power supply, 2 regulators (volume, low voltage).

MX695KS:  28 screw connections, 8 function outputs, one low voltage output (10 V).

MX695LV:  3 rows of pins, each row - 12 pins, 14 function outputs and 1 special output for smoke fan, 3 low voltage ouptus(5 V, 10 V, adjustable), 4 servo outputs with power supply, 2 regulators (loudspeaker, low voltage).

MX695LS:  2 rows of pins, each row - 12 pins, 8 function outputs, one  low voltage output (10 V).

Alle Typen MX696: 4 A Motorstrom, 2 A Funktions-Strom (Summe), 10 Watt Audio-Leistung (außer: MX696N), geringe interne Verlustleistung, 4 Servo-Ausgänge (nur Steuerleitungen, keine 5 V - Versorgung im Gegensatz zu MX695), Anschluss für externen Energiespeicher (auch für Gold-Cap-Packs), besonders wichtig für ungestörten Sound.

                              MX696N (Typ ohne Sound):  20-polige Stiftleiste, 8 Funktions-Ausgänge

                  MX696N: OHNE Sound; alle anderen Typen MIT Sound.

MX696V:  zwei 20-polige Stiftleisten, 14 Funktions-Ausgänge und 1 Spezial-Ausgang Rauch-Ventilator, einstellbare Funktions-Niederspannung, 4 Servo-Steuerleitungen.

MX696S:  eine 20-polige Stiftleiste und eine 10-polige Stiftleiste, 8 Funktions-Ausgänge.

The measurements refer to the length of the circuit board without the break-off tabs with the screw holes, so the decoder, as delivered, are longer by 2 x 6 mm.

The MX695LS type is equipped with extra long pins (as shown), to be able to fit in a loco board designed for a ESU decoder, and therefore should really be given a larger height (20 mm instead of 14 mm).

The "maximum continuous current" is the normal load on the motor output or the total load, assuming average ambient conditions Limiting the maximum continuous current load is the heating up of the decoder; the built-in temperature sensor reacts at 100° C to de-activate the decoder, and the  "peak current" sensor (see below), de-activates the decoder when the peak is exceeded.

Indication of Overload  (= over temperature) of the decoder is the flashing of the headlights at a fast frequency (around 5 times per second); and then a restarting of the decoder automatically after cooling down to 20° C.

Specifying a maximum continuous current is actually a simplification, commonly used by most decoder manufacturers, because a truly correct specification would be enormously complicated and hard to understand. The actual maximum continuous current depends on many factors (e.g. the air temperature inside the locomotive), but the large MX695 decoder will almost always have sufficient reserves

While the "maximum continuous current" is a matter of long-term heat and load on the decoder, the "peak current" is the threshold that represents (with perfect cooling) the actual load limit. That does not mean that a small amount over the peak current would cause an immediate shut-down, but there are also a few seconds or milliseconds of tolerance of an overload, but the closer the current is to a full short-circuit, the faster the shut-down.

In the event of a shut-down due to exceeding the peak current, or from a short-circuit, an automatic re-start occurs after 3 seconds, but there is no indication from the loco via flashing lights (as with a temperature overload), as part of the bi-directional communication (RailCom) appropriate alarm messages are shown on the controller.

ZIMO decoders have a range different types of outputs, therefore there are different types, numbers of each type and power output in each decoder family

  - "Normal" (often called "enhanced") Function Outputs, as they exist in decoders of all brands, are (technically speaking) "open-collector" or "open-drain"outputs, to which headlights, other lights, smoke generators, uncouplers and other devices may be connected, and each device needs a second connection
- connected to the "common positive pole" of the decoder (blue wire), or
- with a low voltage output, which ZIMO decoders have one or more;
- it is also possible to connect the second terminal of the device with the left or right rail
(in some vehicles, this is through the conductive chassis, where lights are used this is often the case), where the device consumes only half the the time (for symmetrical DCC signal) the current flowing through it, so for lamps with reduced brightness (but with the perception of more than half as bright).

- Special output for smoke generator, see below, in contrast to the "normal" outputs, the fan can be slowed down too, enhancing the timing of the smoke.

- "Logic level outputs (often called "unenhanced"), NOT available on ZIMO MX695 and MX696.

- "LED Outputs",  NOT available on ZIMO MX695 and MX696.

- Servo control outputs - see below!

For the sake of saving space, the output current of the function output is shown as a total. Each function output is design to be strong enough to handle the total current, if necessary.

The shutdown in the event of an current overload is not immediate, but within a few tenths of seconds or milliseconds, depending on the magnitude of the excess .This tolerance allows a cold start of light bulbs, for example (if this tolerance is not enought, there is a CV settings for a "soft start" to be assigned, which increases this tolerance).

This special connection for smoke fan is used to drive the fan motor of a pulsed smoke generator. Unlike the "normal" function, the fan output can be slowed down, so the timing of the smoke is reinforced.

The output is designed for a 5 V motor and up to 100 mA permanent load, the inrush (startup) current may be higher.

LED outputs are A special form of logic level outputs, i.e. stronger  (up to 10 mA) and with an LED series resistor (330 ohms) provided so that the direct connection of an LED is possible, these are connected to the opposite pole of the decoder (not to the positive pole as usual!) ; "LED Outputs" can be used alternatively as "logic level" outputs (i.e. with external amplification).

Outputs for Servo Control can control commercially available servos (Graupner, Robbe, etc.), and various operating modes and end positions, orbital periods, etc. can be setup in CV 161-182. For decoders with a 5 V low voltage output (MX632W, MX695KN, -LV, -KV), the operating voltage for the servos is provided by the decoder; otherwise the 5 V voltage can be generated externally, see instructions.

Note: with the "V -" decoder types (MX695KV, .. LV, ...) and with the non-sound type MX695KN the complete servo connectors, including 5 V supply are provided, for other types, only the control lines exist  and the 5 V - supply would have to be generated externally).

The "SUSI" Interface is a relic of the days when it was difficult to accommodate the sound components on the decoder board (as this needed space and processor power), and therefore separate sound modules were introduced, and the SUSI data lines (clock and data) were controlled by the decoder. Even more function outputs could be achieved in this way. Many years later, these add-on modules are still on the market, even though this solution is not technically up-to-date and there are functional limitations associated with it.

Although the original design is virtually obsolete now, All the ZIMO decoder have functioning "SUSI" connections (which do not cause a significant cost), because in the future there might be a use for these lines, although perhaps with a modern, probably faster transmission protocol, so they could be used to allow communication between train (locomotive decoder) and attached cars (or function decoders in the cars) via couplings with wired connections. Such a "train bus" is actually provided in the design of the standard decoder plugs (MTC - and 21-pin PluX) . Another use of "SUSI" interface could be a link to environmental sensor modules (tilt, lateral acceleration, GPS, ...) and radio modules or track beacon readers in the vehicle.

Energy storage, in the form of a capacitor connected to the decoder, for the bridging of power interruptions and to compensate for fluctuations in power supply, has great benefits in several ways: even small capacitors from 470 uF show a positive effect (see list below), larger - Elko's up to some 10,000 uF - or gold-cap packeven some F - show all the more bridging capability ..

The benefits of energy storage through an external capacitor are:

 - Avoid getting stuck and the flickering of light on dirty track or turnout frogs, especially when used together with the software feature (in all ZIMO decoders) -  "prevention of stopping on the de-energized track". In general, capacitor values from 1000 uF  are necessary ​​for a visible effect,

- Warming the reactive consumption of the decoder is reduced, especially for low-impedance motors, effectively starting at a capacity of about 470 uF:,

- the energy loss due to “RailCom gaps” and the associated motor sounds are reduced. At the same time the RailCom signal quality (= readout quality) is improved, already effective at 220 uF.

- even with the ZIMO "signal controlled speed influence" the energy loss due to the "HLU-gap" is balanced ..

The large scale decoders provide a different number (1, 2 or 3) of low voltages outputs according to the type of decoder, which can be used as positive poles for alternate function outputs. The low-voltage source is based on switching regulators, producing less heat loss. Such  low voltage outputs can be used:

- to operate low-voltage lights (usually 1.2 to 1.5 V, 5 V) for headlights and other lighting tasks ,

- for the operation of LEDs, usually using the 5 V supply  (or alternatively 10 V), and operate the LEDs ( for example) with a resistance of 330 ohms, (or 1K for 10 V)  - which saves energy and possible "burn out", which might happen if the lights were operated on full voltage, for example via a 2K2 ohm resistor. 

- for the supply of commercially available servos (5V), with the control lines of the servo outputs on the ZIMO decoder.

The use of a low voltage function has the added benefit that it is a stabilized voltage which is independent and remains constant despite possible fluctuations in the track voltage, and can be protected from interruptions in power supply  (by using an energy storage capacitor).

Note: The 10 V low voltage, which is present in all current ZIMO large scale sound decoders is the same supply as used for the sound amplifier, so peak loads could become audible.

Eingänge sind hauptsächlich für Sound-Decoder wichtig: sie dienen zum Anschluss von Achs-Detektoren (zur achs-synchronen Auslösung der Dampfschläge) oder zur positions-abhängigen Auslösung (durch Reed-Kontakte, ..) von Sound-Funktionen, beispielsweise den Warnpfiff vor dem Bahnübergang.

Hinweis: Die Logikpegel-Ausgänge der ZIMO Decoder (siehe weiter oben) könnten auch als Schalt-Eingänge benützt werden, falls dafür Bedarf besteht und eine entsprechende Software-Version Funktionen mit Schalt-Eingängen unterstützt (beispielsweise positions-abhängige Lichteffekte oder lok-gesteuertes Pendeln). Dies gilt auch für Nicht-Sound-Decoder.

Für die Wahl des Lautsprecher gilt: je größer umso besser ...., wobei es natürlich auch sehr auf einen fachgerechten Einbau ankommt, also Resonanzkörper oder luftdichtes Lok-Gehäuse als Resonanzkörper, Öffnungen im Gehäuse, usw. Sehr beliebt ist die gesamte Palette der VISATON - Lautsprecher, besonders häufig FSR7.

ZIMO Großbahn-Sound-Decoder verwenden digitale Audio Verstärker, welche jeweils vom eingebauten 10 V - Schaltregler versorgt werden. Diese Lösung erzeugt einen von Schwankungen der Fahrspannung unbeeinflussten Sound, und ist auch im Analogbetrieb schon früh (ab ca. 5 V) voll verfügbar.

A Sound Memory of 32 Mb corresponds to a playing time of 180 sec in the higher quality (22 kHz sample rate), or 360 sec in the lower quality (11 kHz sample rate). ZIMO sound projects mainly use sound samples with 22kHz .