Page12 INSTRUCTION MANUAL CENTRAL COMMAND STATIONS MX10, MX10EC
3.2
System arrangements with MX10 and MX10EC
The MX10 (or the MX10EC) is the central unit (digital command station) in every usage of the ZIMO
system, therefore the traditional naming “central command station”. According to NMRA-terminology, it
is a mixture of “command control station” and “power station”.
The central command station provides a stable, short circuit proof, running voltage on both track out-
puts and via these, the command station transmits controlling information for the loco decoders and
accessory decoders, in DCC format
*)
and/or (in future) in MOTOROLA format (which addresses the
factory-mounted decoders in Märklin vehicles).
*)
DCC
(Digital Command Control): The data format, originally standardised by the NMRA (National Model Railroad
Association), and since 2010 further specified by the European manufacturer association VHDM (“RailCommunity”), is
now used by the digital systems and decoders “Digital Plus” (Lenz), ROCO-digital, LGB multi-train control (Massoth),
Digitrax, ESU, Uhlenbrock and others.
The MX10 (or MX10EC) is connected to other devices of ZIMO’s product range via CAN cables. This
means input devices, also called controllers (MX31, MX32, MX33, ...), stationary equipment modules
(StEin) or accessory and track section modules (MX8; MX9 (addr.:801-863), MX9 (addr.:901-963).
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NOTE to the followwing chapters of this instruction manual
The MX10EC is completely based on the hardware and software on the MX10; it economizes some
things - especially the output “track 2”, to reduce costs and the prize:
Differences:
MX10:
“Schiene 1” (track 1) with 12 A A total) AND
“Schiene 2” (track 2) with 8 A traction curren
MX10EC:
one „Schiene“ with 12 A traction current
MX10:
Auxilliary voltage 30 V on screw terminal
MX10EC:
30 V on ZIOM CAN socket (weaker)
MX10:
Audio generator, speaker,
output socket built-in
MX10EC:
no
MX10:
LAN socket and USB client to the com-
puter
MX10EC:
LAN socket
MX10:
8 logic-level inputs (“AOS”-inputs)
and 6 “LED”-outputs
MX10EC:
2 inputs, 2 outputs
MX10:
Loconet connection built-in
MX10EC:
no
MX10:
ZIMO CAN bus accessible on front and
rear side of the device
MX10EC:
Rear side
MX10:
3 buttons for operation
MX10EC:
2 buttons, replacement by rotary knob
In the description of the system’s arrangement, no difference is made between MX10 and MX10EC -
the MX10 is named for both devices.
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Standard minimum setup of a ZIMO digital control with MX10(EC) and MX32:
Central command s power supply unit + controller.
See graphics in chapter “Initial start-up of a ZIMO system” (some pages before)
An extended equipment with several controllers and StEin modules:
MX32FU radio controllers can be used either in cable mode or, of course, in radio mode. In contrast to
earlier ZIMO system generations, no additional radio module is required for use with the current MX10
digital command station because this is already integrated.
The following illustration shows examples of some "StEin" modules (stationary equipment modules)
(see also further illustrations of system arrangements and instruction manuals of the StEin).
In the case shown, the StEin modules are supplied completely from the MX10 (3-pole "DC-out" socket
with voltages S1, S2); a maximum of 5 StEin modules is recommended.
Otherwise, from 6 StEin modules upwards, instead of "S2" or "ZUB" from the MX10 an own power sup-
ply unit would have to be used (see following drawings).
This also applies when using an MX10EC, to which 1 StEin module can be connected directly for test
purposes only for a short time.
Alternate minimum setup: Central command station MX10 with Roco multiMAUS:
Roco multiMAUS as initial equipment are a cost-efficient alternative to the controller MX32. Additionally, a
combination like this may also be used, when the Roco central station Z21, which was used up until now,
is replaced by a ZIMO MX10 central station. This is usually the case, if you need MX10’s better perfor-
mance or other characteristics as HLU.
The wired (red) Multimaus is connected via a
corresponding cable to the XNET socket of the
MX10 (front side).
Regarding radio contact with the (black) WIFI
MultiMAUS: see previous chapter
