General

Connection

Operation

Service Tool

Addresses: The 2 outputs of the ReporterChef are automatically set to addresses 1 and 2 in the Motorola address space. With this module, the address can only be set using the Service Tool, which is described in more detail in the next section .

Combination mode (automatic function): The module requires five instead of actually only two solenoid addresses for switching the outputs. The fifth address is used to switch the automatic function on or off. If the assigned address is red, the function is not active. If the address is set to green, feedback messages that are running in the bus system and the own inputs that can trigger a switching change at the four outputs on the module are also evaluated. Two feedback addresses can be assigned to each output pair. Whenever they change from "free" to "occupied", the output switches once in the respective direction. The inputs can also be combined with feedback units from ReporterChef and/or GleisReporters deLuxe if the internal inputs have the same feedback address. For example, this way it is easy to extend the trigger distance for a railway crossing in a modular layout. Another example is a simple train change in a small station. In the figure on the right, two feedback addresses 1 and 2 are assigned to output 1. This means that if the automatic function is activated (address 5 green), output 1 always switches to red if an event occurs on track detector 1 from "free" to "occupied". If a train moves via contact 2, the ReporterChef switches the output to green. So you can already realize a simple train change without a computer. The arriving train always switches the switch in the other direction behind it and starts the train in the track and vice versa. To have a look at a practical application, you can download hiera PDF describing how to set up a simple little fiddle yard control.

If the outputs are used for switching solenoid drives with limit switches, the monitoring function can be activated via the service tool. The ReporterChef can, just like the WeichenChef Magnet, detect the positions of these drives and actively report them to the system bus. If you only switch lamps or something else than magnetic drives, you should not use this function, because the magnetic address in the control units would then only ever blink, as the Reporter would report a switching error.

The properties of the ReporterChef can be adapted to many operating requirements using the service tool. The following description is compatible with program version 001, which can be used with firmware 1. 3 or higher (from May 2016).

The program requires a CC-Schnitte, as well as Microsoft. NET. The tool is tested under XP and WIN 7 and does not handle errors as Windows would like it to. If an error occurs, the tool simply lubricates. This always happens if the values read out cannot be displayed by the tool. This problem can be quickly solved with the reset tool. To do this, simply call the module once and trigger a RESET, so all settings are reset and the tool should now be able to process the messages of the module. The RESET-Tool can also be found in the download area.

After starting the program, select the COM port of the CC-Schnitte. If you plug it into the computer after startup, you can add the new interface to the selection with "Reload".

This selection of the interface activates the "scan" button. If this is activated, all ReporterChefs are prompted to report to the PC. The selection window is filled with these messages. Each additional scan updates the selection, for example, if another ReporterChef is added or one is perhaps not displayed the first time.

The resulting list in the selection field contains all ReporterChefs, sorted by module ID. 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 "übernehmen" ("transfer"). After this, a new scan of the bus system needs to be effected, since the module is now to report with its new ID. At present, up to 63 ReporterChefs can be managed in this way. 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. In addition, "Position" shows the current position of the actuator and the current status of the inputs in the feedback area. However, the position display of the switching outputs reacts only to the absolute position messages of the ReporterChef. If no drive is connected to the output, the display remains grey.

Weichen (Turnouts):

On the left, the four addresses of the two outputs are listed; the corresponding data format DCC or MM is also displayed. The second address is only one option, so that both outputs (red/green) can be operated separately via two addresses. The option "second address" needs to be activated for this, otherwise the address entered here is of no significance.

With the different selection fields in the middle you can now set the output behavior of the ReporterChef:

"k84" means that the outputs remain switched on, whereby the outputs switch alternately depending on the required position. Before using this function, the module should be reset once so that all other internal settings are correct. Under certain circumstances, this function can be overwritten by settings around the fixed switching time .

If a check mark is set in "Stellungsüberwachung" ("Position monitoring"), an attempt is made to determine the position via the limit switches of the solenoid drives. If no unique end position is detected, an error message is sent and the corresponding displays in the control units blink.

"Spannung aus nach xxx ms" ("Voltage off after xxx ms") activates an individually adjustable time for each output, after which the drive is automatically switched off again by the module at the latest. If a time has been entered here, the shutdown also occurs if no shutdown command has been received via the CAN bus. The time entered must be calculated by 10, smaller steps make no sense here. If the ReporterChef receives an OFF command before the time has elapsed, the drive is switched off immediately. If you want to define a certain switching time for an output, you must do this via the "feste Schaltzeit" ("fixed switching time") and the "Impulszeit" ("pulse time").

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Notice:

For example, if a solenoid address is constantly pressed on the CS2 on the keyboard, the switch-on command is constantly repeated, so that the set time is only processed after the last switch-on command received!

With the red and green buttons in the PC-Tool under "Test" you can switch the main address of the output to test it.

The slow switching of solenoid articles (slow motion) or blinking functions:

The function "feste Schaltzeit" ("fixed switching time") can be used to set a time that the output is switched on, independently of other settings. This is particularly important in conjunction with the PWM function. Here you set the period (= how often the tiny pulses are to be repeated) and the pulse time (= the time the output is switched on) for the slow switching of the solenoid drives. Since the movement usually takes a few seconds to complete, the fixed switching time must be used here, otherwise, for example, the output would switch off too early when the button is released in manual mode.

This function can also be used to generate blinking lights or to control the ringing mechanism of a railroad crossing without additional electronics.

Here are some rough values for the different functions:

With solenoid drives, however, you have to find out the optimum time for each drive by trial and error. There is no "standardised" setting here .

Solenoid article: Type Direction Switching time Period Pulse time K-plugged drive red 80 100 1 green 80 100 1 K-fixed drive red 70 60 4 green 70 60 4 Trix-Expr turnout red 120 60 1 green 100 80 2 C-turnout red 90 100 1 green 90 100 1 Fleischmann red 130 40 1 pre signal part1 green 100 80 1 pre signal part2 red 120 80 1 green - - - Fleischmann Hp0 red 100 40 2 main signal Hp1 green 100 40 2 Hauptsignal Hp2 red 120 50 1 green - - - Märklin red 100 80 12 pre signal part1 green 100 80 3 pre signal part2 red 100 80 4 green 350 40 4 Märklin____ Hp0 red 120 60 3 main signal Hp1 green 80 40 2 Hauptsignal Hp2 red 140 100 2 green - - -

Lighting: Here the switching time is directly dependent on the application. Notice: Activating the k84 function, however, does not allow continuous operation. Type Periode Pulse time simple blinking light 3000 2000 Stroboscope-effect 200 50 flashing light 900 200 dimmed light 20 2 ringing railway crossing 2500 20

Magnetadressen (Setting addresses):

On the second page you can easily and conveniently set the solenoid addresses to which the respective output should listen. The virtual 5th address for the automatic function can also be programmed here. With this address the automatic function can be switched on and off. If the automatic system is not required, you should not use address 5 in the system or assign an address here that is not used, otherwise "ghost switching" may occur!

Set the second address of the outputs only if the corresponding function (second address) is activated, otherwise the addresses entered there will not be processed.

Automatikfunktion (Setting combined operation):

On the third page you can also set the feedback addresses to which the respective output should listen in automatic mode.

Rückmelder (Feedback):

This part corresponds approximately to the range of functions of the familiar service tool for GleisReporter deLuxe. Since the ReporterChef has no rotary coding switches, it is also used to assign the desired feedback addresses for the four inputs on the ReporterChef. These can be set to an address between 1 and 65000 without any restrictions - for example, they do not have to follow one another. Here is a possible limitation only with the used control software, which number this permits maximally. An example can be seen in the following figure of the tool:

Naturally there is a connection test, too. If the check mark is set in the field, an occupy message moves over the four detectors. This makes it easy to check whether the module's data arrives in the control software. This test remains switched on until the check mark is removed or the operating voltage on the bus system is switched off once. In this way, several modules can be switched to this mode one after the other and it is possible to check in the control program whether the messages are visible there.

Attention:

In this test mode, current messages are only partially displayed, the current input status is only transmitted again after the test has been completed.

Ein- und Ausschaltverzögerung (Switch-on and switch-off delay):

These fields are used to set the time that a message must be continuously present or deactivated at least at the input before it is to be transferred to the system. However, the settings can only be made here in a resolution of 10ms .

Gerätekennung (Device ID):

Here you can define virtual feedback systems within the one CAN bus or clearly distinguish the messages of the ReporterChefs in the bus system from other system users (CS2) by their identification.

In the control programs, you can set which device identifier is to be taken into account for the feedback. For example, you can avoid the problem when starting a program if the ReporterChefs send their messages to the PC via the CS2.

ReporterChefs respond to the request of the programs much faster than the Central Station can. The CS always reports what it found on the s88. If nothing is connected there, all messages that were received before are unfortunately overwritten again and it looks as if there are no vehicles on the system. If you now assign an device identifier here, the program can immediately discard the unnecessary messages from the control unit and there will be no incorrect start state.

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If the messages are also required in the track layout of the central station, however, you can instruct the ReporterChef with the tick "sende auch Master CS2" ("send also Master CS2") to also send the feedback messages under the CS2 ID, so that it can display them.

The tool is free and can be downloaded from the download area of the homepage.