I have an N Scale Layout equiped with a Digitrax Super Chief system. I only can run all my engines on address 03 and even though I try to undestand the instructions on the users manual, I think the instructions go to far ahead of what I want To do. The only thing I want at this moment is to address a second DCC engine in a different address that 03 and I don´t know how to do it. My Locomotives are Atlas factory equipped DCC. If somebody can help me I will really appreciate it.
I can put the second address in the control but i don´t know what to do for the system to recognise de Locomotive.
(page numbers are based on the most recent Super Chief manual posted on the Digitrax web site)
Instructions for programming the address of the decoder start on Page 71. It's actually quite straightforward. The concept you may not be fully understanding is that the addresses are stored in the decoders in the locomotives, NOT in the throttle. You need to program the desired address int the decoder before it will respond to anything but the default of 3. Follow the steps from page 71 to page 73 and stop there - this covers ONLY the address setting and nothing else. After you work through it once or twice it will seem fairly obvious. After you get changing the address down then you can start worrying about other stuff like speed matching and light controls.
Super Chief manual here: http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/superchief.pdf
If yours is older, the page numbers might not match what I pointed you to, but the steps are the same regardless. If you actually have the newer Super CHief Xtra set witht he DT402 throttle, the page numbers will also be different, but the steps outlined in the linked version are still exactly the same.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
The first thing you need to do is set up a seperate programing track if you haven't already. You cannot program addresses on the main track. The two wires connect to the front of the command station. Put a loco on the programming track. Press the program button. There are four programming modes pg, ph, pd and po. When you press the program button you will see one of those modes on the display usually starting with pg which is the mode recommended by Digitrax. The display will also say AD2 under the left throttle knob. If you want to enter a four digit address, double click the right throttle knob for AD4 Then using the keypad enter the loco number then press enter. If you are entering a 4 digit address you will be prompted to press the Y key. Press it then press the exit button and the address should be programmed. Put the loco on the main and try it. It may take some practice and you have to be fast when promted to press the Y button. If the pg mode does not program the address try one of the others by pressing the programing button until another mode shows on the display.
Mario ...My Locomotives are Atlas factory equipped DCC...
...My Locomotives are Atlas factory equipped DCC...
Sometimes those are hard to program because they do not draw enough current on the programming track to be recognised by the command station. If you follow the steps above and it does not work, place a 1k resistor on the program track and try again.
Actually, you CAN program addresses on the main track, by using OPS mode programming, but since you are apparently a DCC newbie, I don't want to confuse you, so I will skip that for now unless you are still having problems after following what has already been posted.
I set up a separate programming track but I still can´t do it. I do not know the address of the new locomotives besides knowing that they can all run on 03. I don´t know how to make the system read and recognise the locomotive with the address other than 03. When you have in the screen AD2 =??? exactly what should I do there. What I did was put the locomotive Route # instead AD2 (for example 445) and 002 instead of ???. Whatever I do the loco keeps running only in address 03.
After reading this, you may think that I am really lost. Well you are right. I am totally lost. The other day probably by mistake I was able to run a sencond loco on the track with a different address than 03. But since it was a loco that I did not want to run, I took it away and now I cannot program another one again. That time I did it on the layout track and not the programming one.
I hope you can help me a little more. Thanks
I will assume you want to use the cab number of the loco as the address.
If the cab number is 127 or less, when the display says AD2=??? turnt he right knob untilt eh ??? is replaced with the number you want to use. Press Enter and you're done. The loco will no opwerate on that address instead of 3.
If the cab number is 128 or great, like the 445 example you gave, turnt he LEFT knob one click so the display says AD4=???. The turn the right knob until the ??? is replaced with 445. Press Enter. The next display confirms you want to use a 4-digit address, you only have a few secodns to press the Y key. If you miss it, just start over since it wills till be on address 3. Once you have successfully pressed the Y key in time, you are done and the loco should now run as 445.
"AD2" is the system asking you if you are going to assign the locomotive a two-digit address (any number less than 128). You should just press the buttons corresponding to your intended address. and then press enter. If using Paged Mode, then the Digitrax unit will shut off power to the tracks. You must restore power to the tracks, press the buttons to show your new address, and press the encoder throttle knob. The new loco should respond to the address you just programmed.
Crandell
Follow Randy's instructions for the AD=4 and you should be all set. If you're trying to set a number higher than 128 with AD2, that's your problem. Also when setting the address, make sure that the loco is the only one on the tracks. If doing it in ops mode then make sure address 3 is selected before trying to program as well.
Springfield PA
I entered DCC about twelve years ago with a Digitrax Super Chief (DCS100). I would suggest one additional investment which will make everything a lot easier for programing locomotives. Purchase a Digitrax PR3. This is an interface between your Digitrax System and your personal computer. Then down load JMRI Decoder Pro (free from the JMRI website). Make sure you get the power supply with the PR3. You can use the PR3 to program locomotives without connecting to your Digitrax System, by attaching a small programing track directly to the PR3. Programing sound is not a problem with the PR3.
You can also use your PR3/Decoder Pro/PC as multiple computer based throttles to operate your layout through your Digitrax System.
I am a very happy Digitrax Owner/User but haven't punched CVs from a Digitrax throttle for years.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
I went to de program mode then to AD4=??? and i put AD4=445 + enter followed by Y.
But still the loco keeps running in 03. In the only progamming mode that all the steps work is Po mode. If I do it with AD2=??? and put AD2=045 and press enter it says good but here also the loco keeps running in 03. I spent more than an hour and still can´t do it.
Any other hints I need. I might be skipping a step maybe.
Should I erase all the values that I tried to enter with no luck? Or it is not necesary?
The Po setting is for ops mode. You don't use that one with the program track. Set the loco to address 3 like your going to run it. then go into ops mode to program on the main. Use the pg mode if on program track. note that the program track uses different terminals on the controller.
You have not set CV29 to operate the new extended address. I can think of nothing else that will cause the problem you are encountering. If you did not press "Y" at the correct time, you can still enter Ops Mode and enter a value of 34 or 38 to CV29. Exit, and try the new address. I bet it works.
selector You have not set CV29 to operate the new extended address. I can think of nothing else that will cause the problem you are encountering. If you did not press "Y" at the correct time, you can still enter Ops Mode and enter a value of 34 or 38 to CV29. Exit, and try the new address. I bet it works. Crandell
The Suprt Chief is supposed to automatically set CV29 when you enter a long address but I have seen instances where it didn't take for some reason. I prefer CV29 to be either 34 or 35 depending on the direction of travel but that's just my preference. 38 will work just fine too. I agree that this sounds like the issue.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
just my two cents ;
first get a length of track ,on your dsc 100 connect to one wire two program a term and other to program b.then both wires to the rails .
make sure every thing is off before connecting it up .then turn it on make sure the power dot upper rite hand corner of display isn't flashing then press program button to pg you should see ad-2 turn rite knob to to a loco number .i use the last two numbers on my loco for a two address cv . or type in number on keypad and press enter wait till says good then press exit . place loco on mainline press loco ,type or turn rite hand knob let say 29 which would the last two numbers on loco . press enter you should be good to go. if nothing happens you may have to reset decoder most are 8 to 8 . sometimes you might have to do it a couple times if it doesn't take . a good investment might be to buy a soundtraxx ptb 100 or other this helps in boosting the voltage up. hopes this helps
Mario I went to de program mode then to AD4=??? and i put AD4=445 + enter followed by Y. But still the loco keeps running in 03. In the only progamming mode that all the steps work is Po mode...
But still the loco keeps running in 03. In the only progamming mode that all the steps work is Po mode...
Did you try Pg mode with the loco on the program track? If so, what was the response on the throttle? Did you try the1k resistor I mentioned prviously?
I think the problem is that i didn´t connect the program track to the program A and B outlets.
I was doing it connecting to rail A and B.
I am going to try and will let you know
that should help quite a bit.
Finally it worked. I want to thank all of you guys for the help. What I was doing wrong, was that I was connecting the program track to the wrong place.
Regards to all of you from Lima Perú.
Thanks Again
Mario
Thank you for speaking up. I just received my first DCC and am having the exact same problem. I will try the programming track resistor and other suggestions listed.
Now that you have programmed a new address on that second engine, the address can be changed on the first engine using the same steps.