ZIMO STEIN88G DCC Stationary Equipment Module - Track Section Module

"Stone" - modules ( St ationär- A directional modules) are of which are intended to be used together with a base unit of the ZIMO MX10 series as a digital central ZIMO digital control system components; At least until further notice, NOT with third-party systems.

As the name suggests, the stationary facilities of a model railway system are connected to the StEin, that is, track sections and accessories (switches, signals, uncouplers), signaling contacts and loudspeakers.

"StEin" is MORE than just another ZIMO system component; "StEin" follows an unusual concept , it is more of a sub-system of its own, which is designed to cover all (stationary) facilities of a model railway system. There are NO occupancy reporting modules, RailCom detectors, accessory decoders, etc. used next to it. Combinations are of course nonetheless possible.

The operation of fully functional track sections (with occupancy and train number reporting, RailCom local / global, overcurrent / short circuit treatment, as well as with ZIMO "HLU" for "signal-dependent train control") is the central task of the "StEin.

Mostly (but not always) in connection with the track sections are the inputs for point detectors at the "StEin", the use of which allows the principle of LZB (= line train control) by limiting the speed by means of HLU with elements of the PZB (= punctiform train control) through point detectors such as contact tracks, track contacts, light barriers, etc. to be added.

NOTE: A partially functional alternative for track sections is the Roco "Z21 occupancy detector with RailCom" (manufactured by ZIMO) for applications where no HLU or other type of train control is required.

For the operation of accessories , "StEin" is an inexpensive (because it is offered "incidentally" in the module) and functionally advantageous alternative to accessory decoders: the advantages include the track-independent power supply and the CAN bus as a powerful control and feedback path.

Decoder Formats:

StEinE8W - Expansion Board for 8 Switches

• Connectable to STEIN88V
• 8 turnout connections (double coil, motorized) or 16 single outputs
• 16 inputs (contact rails, etc., e.g. for limit switches)

StEinE8S - Expansion Board for 8 Servo Motors

• Connectable to STEIN88V
• 8 connections for servo motors (switches, etc.)
• 8 outputs for frog polarization, 
• 16 inputs (contact rails, etc.)

ICA16LP - Connection board for signal lights with solder pads

• usable via I²C-Bus of STEIN88V, 16 open collector outputs for LEDs/lights.
• + scope of delivery: 2x 4pol plugs, 3 jumper (already plugged in)

ICA16KL - Connection board for signal lights with clamps

• usable via I²C-Bus of STEIN88V, 16 open collector outputs for LEDs/lights.
• + scope of delivery: 2x 4pol plugs, 3 jumper (already plugged in)

 Fully functional track sections:

• Occupancy detection, overcurrent / short circuit detection and shutdown (after a series of restart attempts), RailCom detection for local and global data, application of the 7-level ZIMO HLU speed limits and direction control.
• 8 track section connections are available on the StEin module (main board).

 Partially functional track sections (at low-cost connections):

• Occupancy message, HLU as above, but overcurrent and short-circuit shutdown for 8 track sections each; Suitable for short sections, e.g. switch sections in the track harp (where separate detection is not necessary).
• 8 such track section conn. to be supplemented by the STEINEG8 expansion board.

Turnout, form signal, uncoupler drives, lighting circuits , among others:

• double coil drives (or single coils for uncoupler), motor drives, EPL drives, current measurement for circulation control, limit switch detection for position reporting. Also components of the system lighting.
• 8 turnout outputs ( 16 individual) are available on the StEin module (main board),
• 8 additional turnout outputs can be supplemented by the STEINE8W expansion board. 

Servo drives for turnouts, form signals, among others:

• commercially available servos, 5 or 6 V supply, control lines normal / inverted.
• 8 servo outputs to be supplemented by the STEINE8S expansion board.

Point detectors, position contacts, etc. (at "switching inputs").

• Point detectors to supplement the track sections ("subdivision into logical sections") with light barriers, reflex light barriers, contact tracks, etc., position detectors for points without limit switches.
• 16 switch inputs are on stone module (main board) is provided,
• each 16 additional switching inputs "side" on various extension boards.

LED signals (at "light outputs" with a common positive pole or matrix):

• decentralized signal boards to use signal wires without extension. 16 light outputs
• each (to be distributed to signals as required) on ICA board.

Loudspeaker for playing station announcements , stationary

• noises : internal sound generator of the StEin module. There are
• 2 loudspeaker outputs on the StEin module (main board).

Note : Connections for servos and sound outputs as soon as available!

The ZIMO "StEin" concept allows a combination of LZB (= linear train control by limiting the speed by means of HLU) with elements of the PZB (= punctiform train control). For this purpose, the 16 switching inputs are used as point detectors via light barriers, Hall sensors or contact tracks.

This is both technically and economically advantageous because it allows

• a particularly high breakpoint accuracy is achieved, at least in the case of the use of light barriers or Hall sensors, because there is no dependency on the reliable wheel-rail contact of the individual axles.
• a significant cost saving is associated, by a series of separate track sections is removed, the relatively expensive connections would occupy on the stone. The individual station track typically only consists of a single section. The light barriers, which replace the previous track insulation, cost a lot less (including the connection points on the StEin).

The two sketches of an entrance to a double-track station show the reduction in the number of track sections through the use of light barriers: these cause a "logical division" of the remaining track sections and trigger the same changes in the speed limits in the course of a route as in the "conventional division" (more track separations and sections) driving into a new track section (which triggers a new occupancy message).

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