Content → Hardware → MGV

The development of technical parts for the railroad has a long history with me.

There usually was not much time while I was travelling around the world, doing my job.

But after that period, I found that many items available in the market of Railroad equipment was either expensive or not good enough, or sometimes even both.

Slowly starting to think about developing it myself, I found that others were already thinking the same way, both in hardware as in software.

One extremely good example is the site you are looking at : Rocrail.

But also Rocrail is nothing (excusez le mot, Rob!) without good functioning hardware.

And because I was a member of Modelspoor Groep Venlo (MGV) the products of my mind slowly began to be called MGVxx, later on even grouped together as the MGV Family.

After trying to 'invent the wheel again' with the succeeding desillusions, I decided to start with LocoNet, actually first on advice of a member of MGV, who was already experiencing with Loconet materials.

In fact, in the complete set of MGV units, there are only a few that are strictly dedicated for LocoNet.

All the rest are INTERFACES, connecting to LocoNet devices, and making railroad live prettier.

Extra tip on my shoulder is that several Rocrail initiators and many users are using MGVxx hardware, sharing my enthousiasm.

The use of interfaces from the MGV-family are not restricted to using only with MGV LocoNet.

These interfaces are very well suitable for using anywhere else, with other systems.

All of these units has been made as printed circuit, assembled and tested by myself.

Where ever that was possible or necessary, I invited other people to help me testing and improving my designs.

Therefore, special thanks to Christian Wichmann, Fred Jansen, Rob Versluis and Walter Pohler, and the members of Modelspoor Groep Venlo for their help and patience, when something was not working as expected right from the first try.

Together, we made MGV-family to be a strong team!

Because the MGV needed quite a lot of these units, some of these boards are factory-made.

Facory made boards are double sided, with soldermask, through hole connections and print.

They are available at a reasonable price. See list further in this article.

LocoNet is a trademark of Digitrax, Inc.

Loconet, as originated by Digitrax, is a very reliable system to control anything up and around the Model Railway Track.

Modelspoor Groep Venlo has chosen this Loconet to control a wide variety of Model Railroad Modules.

These modules started with the same size as M-Track in the Netherlands, but slowly slightly different measures has been used.

The main track, however, will still fit to M-Track.

Just like M-Track and Fremo, these modules can be assembled in various order. That was a serious problem while we were still in our 'S88 age' .

With Loconet, each sensor point is defined with its own number, regardless the position in the setup.

The Loconet I/O units are based on a design of John Jabour.

MGV decided to change the Standard Loconet RJ12 connectors to cheap and robust D-connectors.

The reasons for that are:

1) Units have to be connected / disconnected many times, which is not suitable for RJ12 connectors.

2) MGV would like to have suitable power over the cable, which Railsync is not able to provide.

In the set of Loconet units a suitable power supply is combined with the Locobuffer (MGV85).

In the latest version, it is also possible to connect a DCC/LocoNet command station (like MGV110) to MGV85, to supply the railsync signal.

All MGV units are basicly made for D.I.Y.

But there are a few pc-boards available for almost cost-price.

If you are interested, send mail to : peter.giling@rocrail.net

Boards can also be ordered at www.modelleisenbahn-nettetal.de

Each available board is indicated.

mgv-loconet_manual.pdf

This manual is still under construction, so keep it updated anytime you need to know something about MGV units.

From this unit you will need only one.

Leds do not really need any interface.

They can directly be connected to MGV50.

However read the articles itself why these units exist.

This unit might not really belong in this area, but it exists nevertheless.

This picture shows the first setup- needed to start having feed-backs and turnout control (with servo's or standard coils).

For all other units , please refer to the apropriate description.

The best suitable cable for this connection is cat5 Ethernet cable.

To avoid any problems, connect the wires according this list.

Changing wire colours could cause errors.

Standard full wired male to female 'extension' Rs232 cables are allowed, but up to a certain limit.

It is never experienced how many can be used, but a few do not disturb the communication.

This type of cable is by far not able to conduct the full 3 Amp of the MGV85!

Intellibox can also command a few MGV50 units, without the use of MGV85 LocoBuffer.

For that case the Intellibox has connector LocoNet T.

All you do is use a 9-pole female d-connector and an RJ12 connector and three wires (loose or in cable).

Connection list of this cable:

Two possible options can be used for this connection. (see picture below)

This cable should be made with wire 0,25mm.

Wires are NOT crossed or mirrored i.e. connect pt 1 to pt 1 , etc.

Flatcable 10×2 + connectors. The side without the notch will fit easily.

Wires are NOT crossed i.e. connect pt 1 to pt 1 , etc.