Bachmann (Lenz?) decoder can't program adress.....Need help please!

[Anonymous]

Today at a train show I purchased a Bachmann GP35 with DCC installed, and for some reason when I tried to program it (default adress was 3 for some reason) then the Digitrax Zephyr would flash d_nd, meaning there is an open circut on the programming track.

The loco runs fine on the layout, so the decoder is connected, and I tried my Atlas U23B with a TCS T1 decoder on the programming track, and it worked fine, so the programming track is also fine.

I tried ops mode programming (after removing all the other locos on the layout) and it wouldn't let me, although that may be a built in feature of the Zephyr.

I also tried seeing if it was the Bachmann decoder that couldn't use Paged mode programming (although the Zephyr manual says it works with all decoders....) and the other very similer loco (Bachmann DCC equipped GP30, same line, decoder, etc but different shell) also got a d_nd response.

This has got me really stumped. Could someone please help?

Thanks, 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Couild it be that Bachmann decoders have a program lock that I haven't heard of?

[lvanhen]

You'll get a better response here http://cs.trains.com/forums/744/ShowForum.aspx .  That's the DCC forum.

[river_eagle]

lay a 1000 ohm resistor across the programming track rails, while programming loco.

[New Haven I-5]

 Ty, to Address the cheapy Bachmann/Lenz decoder, you change CV1 to a CV# from 1 to 99.

[UpNorth]

Change the OPSSW #7 on your Digitrax Zephyr to C. This will enable the blast mode on the Zephyr. You'll find how too in your Zephyr manual but this OPSSW #7 is not documented in Digitrax book but it is mentionned on Digitrax and JMRI yahoo  support forum.  

[jeffrey-wimberly]

lay a 1000 ohm resistor across the programming track rails, while programming loco.

Nice trick. I'll have to remember that one.

[CSX Robert]

...default adress was 3 for some reason...

That is the normal default address.

...I tried ops mode programming (after removing all the other locos on the layout) and it wouldn't let me, although that may be a built in feature of the Zephyr...

The Zephyr will let you program the address using ops mode; however, it will not do the automated 4 digit address programming from the Zephyr throttle in ops mode. To program a 4 digit addres, you have to calculate the values for CV17, CV18, and CV29, and program each one manually. If you have an additional DT400 or DT300 throttle, it will do the automatic 4 digit address programming in ops mode with the Zephyr.

A couple of additional notes:

You do not have to remove other engines from the layout when doing ops mode programming, unless you select locomotive address 0 for programming. Address 0 is the broadcast address and is useful if you are having trouble programming a decoder on the program track and you do not know it's address.

If you use blast mode programming, my understanding is that you do need to remove other engines from the layout, even when using the program track because it sends the programming commands out the track outputs also(I have never used blast mode, so I do not know this for a fact, but I have read it in a couple of places).

The first thing I would try is the 1k resistor that has already been suggested. Some Lenz decoders(I believe that is who makes the Bachmann decoders) do not draw enough current when programming to be detected by the Zephyr, and the resistor adds enough to the current draw for the Zephyr to detect the decoder.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I know 3 is the default adress, I've programmed a few TCS decoders (hardwired and installed myself) to know that, but I thought that most DCC equipped locos come with them pre-programmed in. (Although, that was an Atlasmaster loco, maybe cheaper ones don't do that)

I'll try the resistor today, I'll let you know how it works, maybe even get up some photos/video of the unit....

Thanks for all your help! 

[Guilford Guy]

Bachmann's EZ command only supports 1 digit adressing. If one were to buy a Bachmann loco to go with the EZ command, they couldn't operate the loco if it had a 2, 3, or 4 digit adress, thus they are on default 3. I believe P2k locos also come preprogrammed at address 3.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

As far as I know all NMRA compliant decoders come preset from the factory at address 3 (03).

[Otis]

I dunno....looks like TrainMan Ty duplicated this post and had it answered and the problem beat in an earlier/later post/thread.  See the other post made 15 later.............

[Anonymous]

I posted this in General Discussion before, then here when I remembered, and a mod moved it without realizing there was already one here.

I tried the resistor, and it worked fine! Thanks for the help guys!

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I need to remember that little trick. It could come in handy after I get my Zephyr, which won't be too much longer I hope. A friend is letting me get some experience on that he uses to control his yard. I haven't tried any programming with it yet. He took care of the little problem I was having with one of the decoders in my Athearn BB F7 A-B set. They run fine now.

[jasperofzeal]

Bachmann's EZ command only supports 1 digit adressing. If one were to buy a Bachmann loco to go with the EZ command, they couldn't operate the loco if it had a 2, 3, or 4 digit adress, thus they are on default 3. I believe P2k locos also come preprogrammed at address 3.

Is there such a thing as 1-digit addressing?  Don't confuse the 1-0 buttons on the command station to be implying that the EZ command is only a 1-digit capable system.  The EZ command has 2-digit addressing, but it takes a little different approach to re-program a decoder with any 2-digit address higher than 10.  I believe that the default address of 03 is a standard practice by almost all DCC manufacturers.

[Otis]

 a mod moved it without realizing there was already one here.

ah, those mods....like it says, "solid, man!"