Confused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I just purchased a BLI E-7 ABB set and an MRC Prodigy Advanced. I'm having trouble changing the loco's addresses from the default of #3 to their road #'s of 6001 and 5902. Can someone help me while I still have some hair left. I'm usually pretty savvy about these things but not this time...[:(!][:0]

[dave9999]

If you are trying to program it on the programing track, the Prodigy Advanced
may not have the power to program the BLI loco. You should be able to change
the address on the main using Op mode... if the Prodigy Advanced supports
this type of programing.
If not, Tony's Trains has a booster available to remedy this problem. Good luck, Dave

[Anonymous]

Try turning the sound off before putting it on the programming track. It will draw less current that way. You could also try a hard reset. Look in your manual, there are plugs that you can remove to hard reset.....Another idea would be to hit emergency stop in your command station (puts pure dc on the rails) sometimes the decoder gets stuck in various modes...I have had issues with BLI in DCC both programming and getting the locos to recognize commands. Nothing that I couldn't work around though....

[rrinker]

I have had no problem programming BLI locos (and Atlas - same QSI sound) with my Digitax Zephyr. The trick seems to be, run the loco on the main. Turn off the headlight, and at least mute the sound, MAYBE a shutdown (F9 default) would also work, but I only did the mute (F8). Pick the loco up and put it on the program track right away. Now try programming.
Does the Prodigy Advance support Ops Mode programming? If so, that's the way to go, absolutely no issues there, and you can even change the address.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

All I know is that I can program on either the main or program track. This is all about as clear as mud!!!!!!!!!

[rrinker]

OK, did you try what Trainnut suggested? That usually works. Put it ont he main, select address 3, run the engine a bit. Turn off the sound, and make sure the headlight is off. Now pick it up and put it on the programming track and try to program it.

If that fails, you will have to try programming on the main. There are a few steps involved since you can't directly set the address. This is detail in the full QSI manual yo can download from the QSI site at http://www.qsindustries.com. Since I don't know the exact labelling of the buttons on the Prodigy Advanced, i will list the CV's and the values you need to program to change the address:

For #6001:

Program CV 49 with 129
Program CV 50 with 17
Program CV 56 with 215
Program CV 50 with 18
Program CV 56 with 113
Program CV 29 with 34

For #5902:

Program CV 49 with 129
Program CV 50 with 17
Program CV 56 with 215
Program CV 50 with 18
Program CV 56 with 14
Program CV 29 with 34

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Thanks Randy, I'll give that a try before I grab the hammer!!!!!!!! LOL

[selector]

Randy got me on 'the right side' of my Hudson, so it should work for you. Yes? [:D]

[Anonymous]

Basically, I agree with what Randy said. I have a BLI NW2 and two Lionel Challengers, all of which have the QSI sound decoder. None of these would program directly with the Prodigy Advance. In the BLI locomotive manual (as well as the Lionel manual) there is a "Procedure for Entering Long (Extended) Address in CV56.129 in Ops Mode." This procedure is found in the section "Special ID Programming (CV 56.129)." In my manual it is on page 37. Here in the manual, the process Randy stated is explained. When correctly followed, it works well. I don't recall where I programmed my locomotives, but I believe they were on the mainline when I programmed them. This process is a little more complicated, but does work well for me.

[Anonymous]

I had issues with the last 3 engines I purchased. My last 3 were all Broadway Limited. One was an RSD-15, one an SW-7, and one an NW-2. I am using a Lenz 100 system, and installed a 20 ohm resistor into one leg of the feed to my program track. The Lenz DCC system does not need an additional booster, as it already produces enough power. The resistors prevent an Error 1 code. The error 1 basically is indicating the system is seeing too little resistance for programming. Since the resistor install, my last 3 engines programmed on the first try.