Has anyone here had any luck with the NCE Ph Pro 5 amp system and decoder pro. When using Sound engines the system cannot read CV's from the program track. Using the mainline programming method isn't much better.
Springfield PA
Funny thing, I was just considering that problem today, as I have the same setup.
I originally thought this was just a problem with QSI decoders, but have found that it's a problem with all sound decoders. However, I have also found that if you leave it on the program track and retry a few times it will eventually "wake up" and start talking to the decoder.
You can tell if it's talking by observing the left LED on the command station. When it's blinking rapidly, it's in communication. My system takes quite a while before this happens.
I'll be watching this thread carefully, as I too would like to solve this problem. I wonder if changing the port speed on the PC would help?
Jeff
One thing to try it to turn off the verbal readout option on QSI decoders. The other things is that you may need a program track booster. The keep-alive circuits in the sound decoders with their high inrush current demands 'swallow' the program track signals. However, I've never had any issues programming on the main (other than you can't read back the CV values). Just make sure you're addressing the proper loco, or something you didn't intend to change might get programmed instead.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks
Can the settings be made from Decoder Pro with no readback?
If so how do you determine the correct decoder file to load?
Yes, you can use DecoderPro even without being able to read back values - as tons of owners of Digitrax Super Empire Builder systems do all the time - the SEB cannot read back ANY decoder either on the program track or on the main. To select the proper decoder, you have to know which one you have installed. Sometimes you have to do that even when you CAN read CVs - for example every Digitrax DH163 decoder returns the same ID values, so if you want to actually record the exact decoder you havem you have to manually select it from the list of possible DH163's. For the purpose of programmign, it doesn't matter, all DH163 decoders have the same programming, but if you use the roster to actuall keep track of what decoder you installed, there's some manual work involved. Same in your situation. All QSI decoders with a particualr version program the same as far as the function mapping and motor control, the only difference between them is what sound schemes are loaded. It doesn't really matter if the decoder is in an SD40-2 or an M1a, the decoder is the same, it's the sounds that are different.