CAN-digital-Bahn
The SwitchMonitor Z21-GBS
The SwitchMonitor-GBS complements the SwitchMann-GBS and is used to illuminate the positions of solenoid addresses in a track layout control panel. This allows not only a more individual configuration of the control panel, but also, without having the necessary buttons on the GBS, to display the positions of the solenoid addresses, which are only switched via the RoutenMann-GBS or another device.
It is able to display the position of up to eight solenoid addresses. The module can be plugged together with all other Z21-GBS modules in any number and arrangement.
There need not be a SwitchMann-GBS in the GBS bus for each address that is to be displayed. It is also possible to visualize only those addresses of a route that are switched via the RoutenMann-GBS .
Notice:
It is no problem if the model railway is not operated exclusively from the control panel. All position changes of the solenoid addresses are displayed as long as they are transmitted in the CAN bus. Today, every CAN central sends the data not only to the track, but also additionally via the CAN bus. This also applies to the Central-Stations 2/3 and the Mobile-Station 2 from Märklin.
Of course, the position changes that are triggered from the WeichenChefs by manual operation are also detected and displayed accordingly.
The module can be operated either on the ZCAN or MCAN, switching is effected via a small solder bridge above the learn button.
If the solder bridge is open, the module works according to the data set of the Märklin CAN protocol. If the solder bridge is closed, the controller uses the data description of the ZCAN from Zimo, which is also used by Rocos Z21.
The operation of the SwitchMonitor-GBS is very simple: The module constantly looks in the CAN bus for the change messages of solenoid addresses running there. Switching requests from control panels are ignored, however, only the confirmation that this command has been executed is displayed! If, for example, the key in the GBS is pressed when the central unit is in stop mode and no CAN module is available for the address, the SwitchMann's switching command is transmitted in the CAN, but since the central unit is in "STOP", the command cannot be executed and the central unit will not confirm it and the illumination on the SwitchMonitor will therefore not change either.
If such a change of a solenoid address setting in the bus is running, the SwitchMonitor checks whether one of the outputs of the module has to be adapted accordingly.
How the position is then displayed or interpreted at the end depends on the connected LEDs or similar. However, the SwitchMonitor can only display the first two positions red/green. All other position messages that are also possible in a CAN are discarded, since only two connections are available for each address.
If the operating voltage is switched off, the current status is stored in the SwitchMonitor and then displayed again the next time the control panel is switched on.
LEDs with series resistor or incandescent lamps can be connected to each output of a SwitchMonitor-GBS.
The module is not! electrically isolated and the outputs are not! short-circuit proof. A load of 100mA per output should therefore not be exceeded during operation.
The power supply of the module is carried out centrally via a PowerBox-GBS or the RoutenMann-GBS , which should only ever be present once in such a structure. The operating voltage applied there must be 12 volts DC.
The two small LEDs on the left side of the board indicate the operating status:
green LED:
If the green LED lights up, the operating voltage is applied and everything is OK, but then no wiring work should be carried out.
If the green LED flashes quickly, the operating voltage on the system bus has dropped below 9 volts and the module has stopped evaluation operation. If the voltage rises again, this error is automatically reset.
yellow LED:
LED on: The module works in ZCAN mode according to the Zimo protocol. The solder pad above the "Learn" button is closed.
LED off: The module works in MCAN mode according to the Märklin protocol. The solder pad above the "Learn" button is open.
The voltage is switched through to the consumers by the drivers on the SwitchMonitor-GBS. These are so-called LOW-side switches, which switch the ground for the consumer.
The positive voltage, i. e. the common PLUS connection for all consumers to be operated on this module, is located in the middle of the module on the 2-pole screw terminal.
The consumer, usually the LED, needs to be connected to the desired output with its negative connection.
The SwitchMonitor-GBS does not have to be coded via a DIP switch, it has, like most other modules, a button for "learning" the desired solenoid address. This way, any address can be assigned to each output pair.
Of course, several output pairs with the same address can also be assigned to one or different modules. There is no limit to the combinations!
"Learning" is very simple:
The "Learn button" must be pressed until the desired output pair flashes on the SwitchMonitor-GBS. This indicates that it is waiting in the system bus for a solenoid address to be switched for this output. The next solenoid address confirmation received is then permanently assigned to this output until the next "Learn" procedure.
When "learning" an address, it does not matter which data format is used on the track; the SwitchMonitor stores the entire CAN address during learning and can thus also display object-controlled addresses. There are no track formats in the CAN bus, only absolute addresses and these are stored during "learning".
Another possibility is to use the service tool for this module
Solder pad Coding:
For operation in ZCAN-CAN mode the solder pad needs to be closed!
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Service Tool:
The properties of the SwitchMonitor-GBS can be adapted to the operating requirements with the corresponding service tool. The following description is suitable for program version 001, which can be used with firmware 0.1 or higher (from August 2018 on).
The program requires a CC-Schnitte, as well as Microsoft .NET. The tool is only tested under WIN 7 and can of course also be programmed via the CAN-erlesen.
After starting the program, select the COM port of the CC-Schnitte. If you plug them into the computer after the start, you can add the new interface to the selection with "Reload".
This selection of the interface activates the "scan" button. When this is activated, all SwitchMonitors are prompted to log on to the PC. The selection window is filled with these messages. Each additional scan updates the selection, for example, if an additional SwitchMonitor is added or if one is perhaps not displayed the first time.
The resulting list in the selection field contains all SwitchMonitors, sorted by the ID of the modules. If a module with ID 0 responds, a message is displayed stating that an ID greater than 0 must still be assigned for this module. This assignment is made by entering a number in the module ID, which must be terminated with "accept" (übernehmen). After this, a new scan of the bus system must take place, since the module is now to report with its new ID. At present, up to 99 SwitchMonitors can be managed, which corresponds to 792 solenoid addresses. If this is no longer sufficient, please report it, because this limitation is only due to the number of bits used.
If you now select a module from the list, it will be asked to transmit all its stored settings.
First the eight addresses of the output pairs are listed; the data format CAN, DCC or MM is also displayed. All entries must then be transferred to the module with a 'click' on 'save' (speichern). Only then are they also stored and processed there
In addition to the formats "DCC" and "MM", the Märklin CAN system also supports "CAN" as format, which is already supported by Win Digipet. Here, too, the address is entered as a HEX value. See also the explanations for the switch modules that support this.
Brightness (Helligkeit):
Here you can globally set the brightness of the LED/lamp for all connections
The value range is 1 to 100 which corresponds to 1% - 100% of the brightness.
The tool is free and can be downloaded from the download area of the homepage.
Subject to technical changes and errors.
© 2018 by CAN-digital-Bahn
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