Product Description
ESU 50210 ECoS 2.1 Central Unit DCC Command Station w/ 6A Power Supply
The ECoS 50210 is already the second generation of our successful ECoS command station. With the latest ECoS command station, ESU continues to offer state-of-the-art digital technology combined with contemporary functional range and easy handling all this for a fair price-performance ratio.
The ECoS has - like most of the recent central stations - a large coloured display with high resolution. In combination with its ground-breaking and easily operated user interface and excellent contrast values of the coloured screen, ECoS reaches unprecedented ergonomics: unlike all the other central stations, the ECoS can be also operated without a stylus - all symbols and writings are hugely marked and clearly structured.
ECoS has 9 function keys per integrated cab. The light-, and function keys 1 to 8 show the current state of the function via LEDs.
Discover the fascinating possibilities of the ECoS command station on the following pages. But take heed: ECoS performance is so good, that even we had to re-read a few passages to believe it!
ECoS Features
With an ECoS command station you acquire an open system. As is expected of ESU, from the beginning we wanted to be open to, and compatible with, present systems and norms. Just like our decoders, the ECoS is a real multi-protocol command station.
As a multi-protocol command station, ECoS supports DCC, Märklin® Motorola®, Selectrix® and the M4 data protocol. M4 drives and controls locomotives equipped with mfx® decoders without any restrictions. M4 is completely compatible. You can even continue to use almost all of your present loco decoders. ECoS is therefore the only digital command station worldwide that unifies 4 data protocols.
With an ECoS you can run locos: via two integrated cabs with large, easy-grasp motor driven throttle knobs and nine precise click-function keys you control your locos. In combination with the touch screen, you can control up to 20 functions per engine.
ECoS controls turnouts and magnetic accessories: a large, graphical control panel provides you access for up to 1420 turnouts (DCC or Motorola® protocol).
With ECoS you can plan and control routes: simply put turnouts and magnetic accessories graphically in groups and switch them together. Routes will be activated either by feedback contacts or by key. You can even use s88 occupancy detectors or ECoSDetector feedback modules.
With ECoS you can operate shuttle trains very easily: put a rail contact at both ends of the track and ECoS will do the rest.
The ECoS built-in booster has so much power that, in most cases, you dont need additional ones.
ECoS supports EcoSlink, a high-speed bus system, based on CAN, that transmits data instantaneously to the command station.
With ECoS, never before has it been so simple to program your decoders: the large, colored TFT screen offers good contrast and displays a lot of information in unabbreviated text. A programming track establishes contact with your decoders.
Of course, the ECoS has a pre-installed DCC RailCom® function: with its global detector it recognizes RailCom®-compatible decoders (e.g. our LokPilot V4.0 decoder) directly on the main track. You also have the possibility to feedback the turnout position via the SwitchPilot to the ECoS command station.
ECoS is compatible. Besides Selectrix®, Märklin®-Motorola®, and M4, ECoS speaks all variants of the DCC-Norm. With the integrated analog controllers (joysticks) you can even control the whistle of LokSound decoders, never before more precisely.
ECoS is expandable. Each ECoS command station sports a network port for connection with a computer. Thus you can update software or use a computer for operation.
Who needs ECoS?
ECoS is basically the command station for all. Beginners, who are looking for a simple-to-operate cab, will be at home right away: the large, graphic touch screen display shows all information in plain text; in case of doubt use the integrated help function. Never was it easier to switch to digital control. And ECoS runs DC or AC driven trains (compatible decoder provided).
Even model railroaders, who alredy own a digital command station, should step up to ECoS: next to the extreme simple inputs, and the possibilities for route-and shuttle train programming, you will learn to appreciate the manifold programming features for decoders. You can connect your present equipment to the input of EcoSniffer, and continue to use it: you dont need to discard anything that you want to keep using!
Due to its enormous output-performance, the ECoS command station is recommended especially for operators of Gauge 1 or G layouts: at last you can run multiple trains without an external booster. Total interplay with our LokSound XL V4.0 decoders is matter of fact.
Features
ECoS leaves the factory with extensive features: Two cabs with motorized throttle knobs and nine function keys each, plus a two-axis, center-click joystick each. With it, you can blow the whistle of the LokSound V3.5 decoder, analogically, almost as you would with the prototype, or, in the future, control digital cranes perfectly. A real and optimally placed loco selection key helps you to select the loco desired.
The large, coloured TFT display shows all information in plain words. There is a touch-sensitive screen that you can work either with your finger, or the provided peg.
Each ECoS command station integrates a 4A-steady-output booster. Conventional model railroad transformers dont have enough power, which is why we supply you with a stabilized 90 VA (!) power supply. The output voltage is adjustable from 15V to 21V. The Power aplenty for your layout!
Decoder programming takes place via a dedicated programming track. This is independent of the mainline and normal operation on the layout is not affected during programming. ESU takes this for granted.
The new ECoSlink high speed bus serves as communicator between systems. The bus can be connected to throttles (e.g. Märklin® mobile station® 60651, 60652), ECoSDetector track occupancy feedback module, Navigator stations, ECoSlink Terminals and other system components. ECoSlink is robust (up to 100 metres cable length is no problem) and extremely fast: Forget all others!
Each ECoS Command Station incorporates a galvanically isolated jack for s88 feedback modules. Track-occupancy information can be used for route- and shuttle train operation.
An ECoSniffer jack is provided for connecting old, existing digital command stations. A galvanically isolated jack for connecting DCC-conform boosters tops off the list of ECoS features.
Functions detailed
Run locos
The ECoS command station can manage up to 16384 locos. Each locos characteristics are memorized, so in the future you can call each engine by name. Also you can assign a loco symbol and these symbols keep you abreast of the function of each loco, regardless of whether its latching or non-latching. An extensive navigational menu takes care of finding your locos quickly; and running them.
Of course, ECoS supports all DCC addresses (upt to 9999) and 128 speed steps, during Motorola® operation up to 255 addresses and 27 speed steps are possible, depending on the decoder´s features. Locos equipped with an mfx® decoder will be recognized automatically by the ECoS and can be driven without any restrictions.
Operate turnouts and magnetic accessories
Just like with locos, you can name turnouts and magnetic accessories. The large control panel on the screen of your ECoS shows you all turnouts and their switch-position. You can put turnouts in the depot area and to each magnetic accessory you can assign its exact function, so you can tell simple-, double or 3-way turnouts apart from de-coupler tracks or even streetlights, etc.
Turntable control
It is possible to control the well-known Märklin® turntables graphically with the ECoS command station; ECoS is able to control the specific Märklin® decoder directly. If you do not wish to use this decoder, you can simply convert your turntable via a LokPilot V3.0 decoder. We offer a substantial manual that describes how to do it.
Routes
Several magnetic accessories can easily be grouped as routes. Routes can then be switched like singular turnouts or they can be tied to an occupancy detector: Thus extensive block-control management is possible already. ECoS can manage up to 1024 routes with up to 256 magnetic accessories each.
Track plan
If desired, a fully graphical track plan shows the topology of your layout directly on screen. Put all signals and turnouts directly off the track plan. Even larger layouts can be displayed on the track plan, as it may consist of up to 99 pages. The pages can be arranged and renamed individually. The magnetic accessories shown on the track plan correlate with the ones that are placed in the accessory control panel; so it´s up to you how and with what you switch your magnetic accessories.
Shuttle train control
Shuttle train control, which was introduced with the first ECoS, enjoys an increasing popularity due to its simple handling: here you only need an occupancy detector at each end of the track, which you assign via Software to a loco: length of layover, acceleration - and deceleration, or in-between stops can easily be programmed on the ECoS screen. This works with any decoder because the brain of the system sits in the central unit. Up to eight shuttle trains are possible.
Decoder programming
Thanks to the screen, programming decoders is as simple as never before. All parameters are shown in plain text. The search for / of CVs and bits and bytes is a thing of the past. Of course you can call up and check all features of your decoder (during operation on the layout) on the main. POM (programming on the main) makes it possible. The addresses of your old Motorola® decoders are ascertained automatically - never again do you have to take your engines apart and check the DIP switch.
Keep using old systems
We make your transfer to ECoS as comfortable as possible: simply keep also using your old system. This is made possible through the built-in EcoSniffer: The rail output of your present digital command station is simply connected to the input of the EcoSniffer module. The module listens to all DCC and Motorola® packets and translates them for the ECoS command station.
This again treats your old system like one (or more) additional throttles or keyboards.
Technical data ECoS 50210
Hardware:
- H4 booster with 6.0 A continuous-load output
- RailCom® bidirectional feedback detector with integrated cutout device ("global detector")
- H4 programming track connection, 0.6 A rated
- 7 inch TFT colour display with touchscreen, 800x480 (pixels) display resolution
- 32-Bit ARM 720T controller, 64 MByte flash ROM, 32 MByte RAM, Linux® operation system
- 16 Bit real-time co-processor
- 2 motor-driven potentiometer throttles with end stop
- two 2-way analog joysticks; two 9-function keys plus stop- and go-key
- 3 input sockets for ECoSlink systems
- Connection for ECoSlink bus expansion
- Galvanically isolated booster input for external DCC or Märklin® 6017 boosters
- Galvanically isolated ECoSniffer input for connection of old units
- Galvanically isolated s88-bus input for feedback devices; 10/100 Mbit ethernet connection (RJ45)
- 1 ECoSlot module for radio-receiver input
Software:
- DCC with 14, 28, 128 speed steps, LGB® compatible function key handling
- RailCoM®
- Märklin® Motorola® old, new, with 14 or 27 speed steps (2 modes, depends on availability of decoder)
- Selectrix® track format
- M4 data protocol with automatic recognition
- Up to 9999 addresses for DCC protocol. Up to 20 function keys per loco
- Up to 255 addresses for Motorola® protocol (depends on availability of decoder)
- Märklin® Motorola® and DCC track protocol for control of electromagnetic accessories
- Up to16384 locos, 2048 turnouts and 1024 route objectives; 32 MU´s (multiple consists) with up tp 16 locos each
- Up tp 16 shuttle trains (back´n forth) at the same time
- All DCC service modes programming on programming track, POM (programming on the main)
- Programming of Motorola® and Selectrix® on programming track.
Included in delivery:
- ECoS central unit
- Stylus for touch screen
- Power supply output voltage adjustable from 15V to 21V / 5A (90VA)
- Terminals for mail track and programming track connection, ECoSniffer
- Extensive instruction manual
Dimensions:
- 37.0 cm x 16.0 cm x max. 9.0 cm
Contents:
- ECoS 2.1 central unit, 6A, 7" TFT colour display, MM/DCC/SX/M4, set w. power supply 90-240V US, output 15-21V 150W, English manual
