Table of Contents
This page summarizes the steps required to install and configure your LCOS installation, and will direct you to relevant pages for more detailed information. The setup process is straight forward, requiring only a few steps to go from initial power up to functional layout objects and processes.
Make sure to review Before You Begin and these Safety Precautions.
17 Steps to a Functional LCOS layout #
- Download and install the LCOS Configuration software package.
- Connect your MASTER to your computer via USB, run the Updater and apply any updates found for the board.
- Run the Configurator.
- On the main Configurator window, click Network Settings; then select a channel for your layout network. Click Update, then Reboot Node.
- Unpack and power up your first CLIENT node. Use a temporary power supply – a 12 volt wall wart with a 5mm x 2.1mm plug is ideal.
- On the Communications Manager window, click Scan LCOS Network to find the unconfigured CLIENT; select it from the Nodes list then click Connect.
- On the main window click Network Settings. Set the radio channel to the channel previously chosen, set the node ID for the client, then click Update. Reboot the client.
- On the Communications Manager window, click Node 00 or USB Connect to reload the MASTER. Click Scan LCOS Network to find the client at its new address.
- For each additional CLIENT, follow steps 5 through 8 above, assigning a unique address to each new unit.
- Next, install CLIENT nodes on your layout. Add DNOU8 boards for output ports, and relays to run your Tortoise or coil turnout motors, and do necessary wiring. Add a PCA9685 servo driver if using servos as turnout motors.
- Install the MASTER on your control panel or, if you aren’t ready to create a control panel yet, put it someplace temporary where you can easily connect a USB cable. If creating a control panel, connect DNIN8 Digital Input duinoNodes to the MASTER to provide ports for button and switch contacts, and DNOU8 Digital Output duinoNodes for LED indicators.
- Connect to the MASTER via USB, run the Configurator, navigate to a CLIENT node and configure it in this order:
- Click Hardware and set the IO boards used by the node;
- Click Relay Objects to configure any relays connected to an IO board;
- If block occupancy hardware is installed, click Blocks and configure local blocks.
- Click Turnouts to configure local turnouts.
- You can do Routes and Signals now or later. Usually, these items are best left for after basic layout objects have been created around the layout.
- Be sure to SAVE and REBOOT after every significant configuration change.
- Do Step 12 for all other CLIENTS.
- Navigate to the MASTER and click Blocks, then Scan Layout to build the master block list. Reorder as desired.
- On the Master, click Turnouts, then Scan Layout to build the master turnout list. Reorder as desired.
- To create temporary or permanent control panels, click Control Objs. Use Control Objects to link control panel buttons and switches to layout object actions.
- If using DCC on your layout, install and configure a DNDCC DCC Gateway node to allow you to control turnouts and invoke routes using your throttle.
You now have a functional LCOS layout ready for basic operation and advanced configuration!
Detailed Lists and Links #
Preparation #
- Read the LCOS Layout Planning Guide; learn about network structure and addressing, and the rules for distributing nodes on your layout. Plan your node distribution and addressing.
- Plan and build your Layout Control Bus to power your LCOS equipment and accessories.
- Download and Install the LCOS Configuration package (free to purchasers of LCOS equipment) on your computer.
- Connect USB cable from the MASTER to your computer.
- Run the Updater. Follow instructions on the App to update your MASTER with the latest firmware.
- Run the Configurator to initialize your Master and set the channel for your network.
- Next, power up and set the network channel and address for each of your Client Nodes, one at a time. Do this before installing the nodes on your layout.
Hardware Installation #
- Install your Master on or near your main control panel; if not creating a control panel, place it in a location where you have easy access. Install Client Nodes and any peripheral devices they use in their assigned layout zones, as described in the Layout Planning Guide.
- Install I/O boards where the ports are needed. In general, you will need output ports (DNOU8) to run relays, lighting and other digital devices. Locate DNOU8 boards around your layout so that ports are near the devices they control. Locate DNIN8 Digital Input boards on or near control panels.
- If using servos for turnout motors, locate your PCA9685 PWM driver board so it is equidistant (more or less) from the turnouts. See the Layout Planning Guide for more information about placing PWM driver boards.
- If using stall motor (Circuitron Tortoise or SwitchMaster) or coil motor (Atlas, Kato, Peco, etc) turnouts, place a DPDT relay near each turnout motor. See Relays for more information about wiring and using relays with LCOS.
- Install rail power routing relays — for reversing sections or DC cab control — where needed.
- If installing the Block Occupancy Detection kit, place the sensor boards so that they are near track feeder locations. Attach feeders and rail bus power to the sensor boards. Test your track to make sure power connections are secure and correctly polarized.
- Run power and board to board wiring. 3-wire servo cable works well with duinoNode logic and power connections.
Basic Configuration #
- Connect to the MASTER node via USB; stay connected to the MASTER throughout all configuration sessions. Use the Configurator’s Communications Manager to traverse the network and connect to Client nodes.
- Switch Client Nodes to “configuration” mode while setting configuration items. When you set or change any configuration item, make sure to save the item, then reboot the node. New configurations take effect upon reboot but may not function until you switch the Node to “normal” mode.
- On each node:
- Do Hardware configuration first so that the LCOS knows how many and what kinds of ports the Node will be using.
- After setting up ports (common hardware setup), configure any relays you have installed and wired.
- Configure Blocks if using the Block Occupancy Detection system. Block Occupancy detection is a core feature that supports layout automation. With BOD installed, block occupancy can trigger control panel indicators, layout lighting and other objects.
- Configure local turnouts. You do not need to configure remote turnout monitoring on client nodes unless you are implementing Signals.
- After configuring Client nodes, return to the MASTER and use the scan tools to scan the layout for blocks and turnouts. This will build the MASTER layout object map for you.
Layout Control #
- The MASTER can support a traditional control panel composed of buttons, switches and indicator LEDs. Each Standard CLIENT can support a local sub-panel, if desired. Buttons and switches are connected to DNIN8 ports.
- Note: Indicators are usually a property of the devices they represent. On the MASTER, indicator ports are a property of each block and turnout. See Master Layout Objects.
- The LCOS Control Object :
- Connects digital inputs – such as buttons, switch contacts, or other ON/OFF switching devices – to individual output ports, relay objects, turnouts, turnout routes or scene objects.
- Supports multiple event types and event targeting.
- Binds to virtual port 128 which allows other objects to trigger Control Objects under specific conditions.
- The LCOS Scene Object:
- Is a core feature supporting advanced layout lighting and animation. Groups multiple ports, relays and even other scene objects into a single object, allowing a single control command to affect multiple layout objects and lighting sources.
- Includes options for sequencing how elements are turned on and off, including both linear and random sequencing. The flash effect can create single or alternating flashers.
- If a DNDCC interface node is installed, DCC users can control turnouts and routes from their throttles. See DCC Gateway for instructions on configuring DCC turnout control. Additionally, JRMI can access turnouts as rail-connected, non-programmable (via DCC protocols) stationary decoders.
Layout Time and Automation #
- Configure the Fast Clock Server to enable layout time. See Layout Time and Fast Clock Server.
- Setup “Day Zone” actions on Clients. Day Zone actions help you set scenic elements for different parts (or “zones”) of the day. See Time Functions.
- Create “Time Triggers” on each Client for actions you want to occur at a specific layout time. For example, a sound module could be triggered at Noon to create a siren or clock bell, or street lights could come on at 7:00 pm every day. For staggered on/off behavior of a group of lights or other objects, group them in Scene Objects and use the Sequential or Random on/off effects.
Advanced #
- [Coming Soon] Create custom layout clock display nodes with the LCOS Clock Driver kit (free to purchasers of any LCOS product).
- [Coming Soon] Support custom objects such as turntables with the LCOS Custom Node Driver kit. The driver kit allows your custom node(s) to fully participate in the LCOS Network and take advantage of the remote configuration protocol.
