Software
LoDi-8-GBM(-P) (v2)
Setting up and updating the firmware in the LoDi-ProgrammerFX
The LoDi-8-GBM v2 and the LoDi-8-GBM-P (v2) are RailCom-capable two- and three-rail feedback modules. They have 8 channels, shown as 8 occupancy detectors and 8 short-circuit detectors. Every channel can be given its own name of up to 16 characters.
Each of the 8 channels is RailCom-capable. Several RailCom-capable DCC decoders can be detected on each channel. Both the DCC address and the direction the locomotive is placed in are detected.
In addition, the LoDi-8-GBM (P) (v2) is able to measure the current draw for each channel.
The dialogue for the LoDi-8-GBM v2 and the LoDi-8-GBM-P v2 consists of the following parts:
- the schematic view of the module with all its channels (top)
- the settings for the module or the channel (bottom)
1. Assigning an address
On the S88.2 bus, the feedback and track occupancy detectors have to be addressed.
To do that, first press the Prog. (1) button on the feedback module for 3 seconds.
The display (2) then flashes. If you now see two dashes flashing in the display, no address has been programmed into the module yet. Otherwise the address already stored in the module flashes.
The module leaves programming mode again after 60 seconds.
To check a module's address quickly, a short press on the Prog. button shows the address in the display.
The LoDi-Programmer shows as soon as a module is in programming mode.
The module with an active Prog. button is now red. If the module does not have an address yet, that is shown as well.
Now select an address, give the module a name of its own — such as Hauptbahnhof, or whatever the module is installed for — and then press Anwenden.
The module has now left programming mode and saved the address.
2. The module overview in the LoDi-ProgrammerFX
In the module view, the 8 channels of the LoDi-8-GBM are shown side by side from left to right. Channel 1 is on the left and channel 8 on the right.
The occupancy detectors run from x.1 to x.8, the short-circuit detectors from x.9 to x.16.
Each channel shows the number of the occupancy detector, x.1 to x.8, at the top. The state of the occupancy detector is shown in grey for unoccupied and blue for occupied.
Below it comes the short-circuit detector with its S88 designation, x.9 to x.16. If no short circuit has been found, it is pink. In the event of a short circuit it is shown in red.
The channel name and the current measurement are shown side by side.
The channel name can be up to 16 characters long.
The current measurement responds even to small currents. It only reaches its maximum, however, at 3 amperes for the LoDi-8-GBM and 9.5 amperes for the LoDi-8-GBM-P.
The RailCom message is shown in the left-hand area. The locomotive's direction corresponds to the direction it is placed in on the track (two-rail only). If several locomotives are detected, as in the picture here, they are shown one above the other.
3. Module settings
The module settings are activated by clicking the module name above the module view.
The module's name can be changed here.
The module name can be up to 16 characters long. It is saved on the LoDi-8-GBM (v2) and LoDi-8-GBM-P (v2) by clicking the "Anwenden" button.
The module name can also be changed in the device tree.
Here the 8 individual channels of the LoDi-8-GBM (-P)(v2) can be set.
The channel settings are called up by clicking a channel. The selected channel is highlighted in red.
The channel name can be changed on the left-hand side. The channel name may be 16 characters long. The setting is saved on the LoDi-8-GBM (-P)(v2) by clicking the "Anwenden" button.
On the right-hand side the thresholds for the occupancy message and the short-circuit threshold can be set. For easier orientation, the current reading from the ammeter is shown.
The detection threshold should be below the current value shown when a stationary locomotive is on the track.
The short-circuit threshold has to be worked out individually. As a rule the preset value works.
The RailCom threshold should only be changed in exceptional cases.
All values are applied for the selected channel by pressing the "Anwenden" button.
If the values are to be transferred to all the channels of the LoDi-8-GBM, please press the "Überall Anwenden" button.
Note: saving the values only works if a DCC signal is present on the track.
4. Updating the S88.2 modules
All S88.2-capable modules connected to the LoDi-S88-Commander (LX) can be updated directly over the bus. The update procedure is identical to that for the LoDi interfaces. (All LoDi feedback modules from 2021 onwards.)
In the LoDi-ProgrammerFX's S88 bus overview, the module's firmware version is shown on the right-hand side. If no number appears here, the module cannot be updated; that affects modules from before 2020.
On the module shown here, an update is now indicated. Clicking the right-hand button starts a further query which you now have to confirm.
Once the update is confirmed, the module is put into the bootloader and the update is transferred. At the bottom of the LoDi-ProgrammerFX's footer you see a transfer bar. The module's display also shows the packets received; a number counts up. Once the LoDi-ProgrammerFX has transferred the update, the module is restarted and is now online with the new version.
Should the update go wrong...
Do not worry: the module can always be put back into the bootloader state and flashed again. If an update has failed, you can repeat it straight away; the module has to be in bootloader mode for that.
The module shows you "B0" for bootloader in the two-digit display.
The LoDi-ProgrammerFX also has to detect the module in the bootloader. That is then visible in the Programmer as well.
The module can also be put into bootloader mode by hand, though. Proceed as follows:
- Disconnect the patch cable to the LoDi-S88-Commander (LX).
- At the front right of the LoDi-8-GBM(v2)(-P) there is the Prog. button (1), which is also used to assign the module's address.
- Hold this button down and plug the cable back in. You can let go of the button again straight after plugging in.
The display should now show B0. From there the module can be shown in the LoDi-ProgrammerFX again and, if an address is assigned, current firmware can be installed.
5. Rain mode for the LoDi-8-GBM-P (v2)
The LoDi-8-GBM-P (v2) has a rain mode. This mode was developed specifically for garden railwayers. Most occupancy detectors on the market cannot be used in the rain, because the moisture getting in makes currents flow and the occupancy detector therefore reports the track as occupied.
To avoid that, we have built a rain mode into the S88-Commander.
If no LoDi-8-GBM-P (v2) or other updatable modules are shown on the bus, rain mode (1) is greyed out and cannot be enabled. So make sure only modules that can be updated are on the bus.
As soon as a LoDi-8-GBM-P (v2) is on the bus and/or further updatable modules are connected to the bus, rain mode can be enabled by moving the slider.
After pressing "Anwenden" a query appears asking whether you want to publish the values you set to the modules. Once you confirm with OK, the information is now sent to all LoDi-8-GBM-P (v2) modules; the 8-GBM-P (v2) display now also shows the figure by which you have raised the module for rain mode.
If you now click the LoDi-8-GBM-P (v2), you get the overview as usual. At the top right we have now built in a further tab, "RM" for rain mode. If it is not clicked, rain mode is active. If RM is clicked, that is visible in red, rain mode is inactive for this module. You now have to close the module window and click the module again for the change to become visible.
This function is specifically for layouts run outdoors as well as indoors. A module in the house cannot do much with a rain mode, since hopefully it does not rain indoors :)
6. Connecting and setting up the LoDi-8-GBM (-P)(v2)
Click here to reach the LoDi-8-GBM v2 hardware description.
Click here to reach the LoDi-8-GBM-P v2 hardware description.
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