DCC PROGRAMING

[claycts]

I have a spare AD150 Prodigy DCC set up. The question is can I put this on the workbench track in the shop and PROGRAM the decoders and THEN run it with the Digitrax on the main layout. I guess this is a 'COMPUTER" type question as if there are different OPERATING SYSTEMS in use or are both the same once the code is written.
I found a lot of info in programming the decoder on this form and in downloads but have noy seen this question. Which may mean it is a STUPID QUESTION but would like to know.
Thank You
George P.
(NO MORE DESIGN TIME TO BUILD)

[FCnota]

I might be wrong, but if both sets are NMRC approved it should work fine. Maybe Randy will see this and give you a 100 o/o answer (he helped me in the past). I believe once the decoder is written, the system simply reads it. Thats why DCC will work for clubs.

[FCnota]

Sorry, that should be NMRA !

[simon1966]

There should be no problem. The decoder itself can run on any DCC system, this is the common element. The setting of the CV's in the decoder is again specific to the decoder. So if you program a CV for a specific function on one DCC system it will operate that way on another. The only exceptions that I am aware of are when the DCC system does not support all the functions. Anyway, you should be fine.

[tigerstripe]

The Prodigy sys is limited to 32 channels, once a decoder has been programmed it should work on any system. So your engines will work on the Digitrax but you cant use the higher address' or use a 4 digit address(engine number)

[rrinker]

As other have said, yes, you can do this, but you won't have access to all possible CVs using the Prodigy, nor will you be able to set just any address. The Prodigy (and Bachmann) set the address to whichever button (dial on the Prodigy) you set it to, on Bachmann that's address 1-9, on Prodigy it's 1-32. This may work for you, but I think most people, when using a system like Digitrax that can access the entire address range, use the cab number as the DCC address, that way there's no issue with remembering what the address might be.
Two options, get a Zephyr for the bench, or get the SPROG which is a standalone DCC programmer that works with DecoderPro (in fact it's designed to work with DecoderPro). Not sure what the SPROG costs these days, but the advantage of having the Zephyr is it can be used as an emergency command station if your main system needs a trip back to Georgia.
Or just run a Loconet connection to the bench, as well as a pair of wires from the program track output of your DCS100. Maybe with a DPDT switch, to toggle between a program track onthe layout and the one at the bench.

--Randy

[claycts]

Now, this is why I joined this forum!!
OK the Prodogy becomes a donation to the local club to give away to raise money. It is new in the box. I have a DB150 and a DCS100. I like the idea of the toggle switch and since I want a computer driven program so I can see what I do and already have 26 engines Randy just saved me a bunch of time. The other problem I see in my crystal ball is 5 reversing sections, not loops as in a return loop BUT a combination of switch throws that can generate a reversing operation. I know how to OLD SCHOOL the problem but this 48 model wants to go Hi-tech.
Thank you for the answers
George P
Doing what my dad always said "LISTEN WITH YOUR EARS NOT YOUR MOUTH, YOU LEARN MORE"

[claycts]

Decoder pro was a free download. SPROG is UK50.00 lbs about $100.00 US with shipping. Locobuffer 2 is $69.95. Gee I sound like Randy (but he knows what he is talking about)
Thanks again folks[:D]

[tigerstripe]

Be sure to use DCC friendly turnouts(insulated frog, non power-routing) and all your problems just went away.[:)] There should be no problem even with switches thrown against each other such as a crossover/ passing siding. You will still get a nice derailment, but not an electrical short.
Your turntable is the only potential problem I see, but here is the cure for that.
http://www.modelrectifier.com/products/trainSound/product.asp?ID=1286&Subcategory=Prodigy%20DCC ,I'm sure there are other versions of this but this should get you going in the right direction.

[rrinker]

For reversing look at the Tony's PS-Rev. You hook that between your main track bus and the isolated loop section. Once installed, it's totally automatic - if you use an NCE Switch-It it can even throw the turnout for the reverse loop for you. Even without that, it changes the polarity automatically as the train exits the loop, no toggle flipping DC-type nonsense, just run the trains.
If' you're set on Digitrax everywhere, the PM42 does this as well. Or the AR1. I prefer the Tony's unit because it's all solid state, no relays like the PM42 and AR1. Plus the PS-Rev is both a circuit breaker and an auto-reverser in one. You need two sections out of the 4 on a P42 to do the same thing.

--Randy