I just got my Digitrax Zephyr and programmed my BLI J1 and Genesis F3 with no problem. I tried to change the address on my Bachmann 44 Tonner wiith factory DCC and it won't read the address or allow me to change it. Any suggestions? I am doing this on a separate programming track and following the manual. This is my first go at DCC and I love the way the engines respond and the sound control. The Bachmann loco is brand new, BTW.
Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Put a 1K resistor across the program track. Bachmann's cheap decoders are notorious for not programming properly. The resistor will create enough of a load so the decoder can acknowledge the program commands properly.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy,
Is that a 1000 ohm and ?? watts? I am not familiar with resistor ratings but have seen them listed with ohms and watts. I have several Bachmann Spectrum locomotives that aren't DCC yet but will probably use Digitrax or Lenz decoders.
thanks,
Can't you simply change the address using Ops Mode on the main line instead of the programming track? That should be easier than fooling around with a 1K Ohm resistor.
farrellaa Randy, Is that a 1000 ohm and ?? watts? I am not familiar with resistor ratings but have seen them listed with ohms and watts. I have several Bachmann Spectrum locomotives that aren't DCC yet but will probably use Digitrax or Lenz decoders. thanks, Bob
A half watt or higher should be fine.
Springfield PA
Yes, 1K is 1000 ohms. 1/2 watt is fine, 1/4 watt would also be fine, there's only a very tiny bit of current involved here. Some Lenz decoders need this also - the Bachmann one is a ultra-low-end Lenz.
I picked up some 1k 1/2 watt resistors at Radio Shack today and tried your suggestion. IT WORKED!!
I just want to let you know how much I appreciate this forum and guys like you that have answers for us beginners in DCC. How would I have ever figured this out on my own? With a place like this to go for just about anything to do with our hobby, don't feel so intimidated by new technologies and new processes; there is always someone out there that has done it and figured out the solution. Keep up the good work guys.
Bob in Knoxville, TN.
PS: I have been in model railroading for at least 50 years but feel like a young kid again with his first train set when I fired up my DCC system and saw the possibilities ahead of me. What a hobby!!!
Bob, yep that 1K makes all the difference. I also went through this process some time ago with the Lenz LE1000 decoder. At the time it was a cheap low end decoder that met my needs for something cheap and basic. I think the Bachmann decoder you just dealt with is based on the same Lenz decoder. I still have a few of these in use and have a toggle on my fascia that lets me switch a 1K across the program track when needed, which is not often now as I tend to use NCE and TCS decoders.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Randy and Bob,
Thanks for the question and answer.
I have been having the same problem with 3 new Bachmann GP-30’s with DCC on board. I am also using a digitrax unit on a programming track. I just could not get them to program. I also tried using opps mode on the main track as one person suggested. That did not work either.
I think I still have a few cabooses with resistors mounted on the wheel sets for our old local club layout detection system. I will just set one of these on the program track and give it a try.
By the way Bob, which programming mode did you end up using?
Steve
Ohio
Steve,
I finally used the OPS mode, but as I stated earlier, I didn't get any positive response to let me know it was actually working. I just switched back to run mode and it responded with the new address. Strange??? Maybe I wasn't paying attention at the time??