My Athearn Genesis GP-15 (DCC/sound) was running just fine on the default 3 number, so why did I ever try to reprogram the loco to its road number "4400"? I set up a 3-foot section of flextrack and wired it to the programming terminals on my Zephyr cab. I read the Zephyr instruction book, pushed the right buttons (I think)-----and now all my little GP-15 does is make the idling sound. It won't move on loco 4400, it won't move on loco 3, it won't move at all. I've tried to reprogram the loco, still nothing. I've been working at this for 4-5 hours now and can't figure out what's going on. I'd like to be able to reprogram my other locos to other than 3 but now I'm totally freaked about trying. By the way, all the others run fine, thank you. Anyone have any advice?
Thanks!
Karl Sonkin, Menlo Park CA.
Before you panic, try this. Put it back on the program track. Read CV17 and CV18. If CV17 is 209 and CV18 is 48, the proceed to the next step. Otherwise, program those values into CV17 and CV18.
Next step, program 34 into CV29.
Now your loco should run on address 4400.
Tsunami strikes again. Mine seem to program from my Zephyr just fine, but I have a very short (under 2 foot) length of #18 wire going from the program terminals and soldered to a single piece of flex track.
--Randy
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Don't forget the ever popular "blast mode" programming. Change OpSw7 (page 55 in the manual). As Randy and David indicated, remove ALL other locos from the track.
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I have found that sometimes after programing a sound decoder the decoder starts its shutdown process. I have 4 QSIs and 1 Tsunami and they have all done this. Read up on the shutdown and start up process and give that a try. You can also read back CVs with the Zephyr so make sure that the values above are all correct.
Massey
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I had the exact problem some time ago (Genesis GP 15-1, Zephyr) and followed David B's advice and was running in no time. Apparently some Zephyr units have trouble with automatically setting CV 29 in Tsunamis. I've had no trouble with QSI decoders and my Zephyr.
Joe
Thanks, Randy:
I tried these strategies, and got a lot of error lights, mostly the "d nr" (which means unable to read the decoder) or a "busy", which I guess means that the decoder isn't taking commands. Like my 17-year-old daughter. The Zephyr won't "read" cv17, cv18, or cv29 and I don't think I'm able to "force" program in the values you suggested. I tried the "blast programing" too and that didn't seem to do anything. I'd say I fried the decoder except it still starts up with the idling and air-let-off sounds.
Thanks, David:
I tried this and the Zephyr doesn't seem to accept the "00" address without putting up a "steal loco" light in the lcd.
Arrrrggggghhhh. Spent most of the morning trying strategy after strategy and finally found something in the Zephyr online manual about cv8 and setting it to 8 as a way of re-setting the decoder. Well I "blasted" it with the only programming setting that worked, "phys" and for some reason, the thing is back running.
Looks like I run one loco at a time on my (admittedly) small layout.
Thanks for your suggestion!
Karl
You should be able to force CV 17, 18, and 29 with individual CV programming (don't use the automatic address). Make sure everythign is clean - program track, loco wheels. You need really good contact.
You cna also try Ops Mode. If the loco is now back to running on address 3, on the main track use Po to set CV17, CV18, and finally CV29. Make sure no other locos with address 3 are on the track.
If you were able to reset CV8 back to 8 to bring the decoder to "factory" specs then the decoder is fine. You should be able to program the address in once again. Are you using a dedicated programing track that is being fed from the prog A and Prog B terminals? If not give that a go! Then try setting CV17 CV18 and CV29. Set CV29 First so it will open the decoder up for 4 digit addressing.
You MIGHT get away with that ont he program track, but in Ops Mode, NEVER set CV29 first, you'll lose control of the engine as it assumes whatever random values were in CV17 and CV18 as a 4-digit address. 17 and 18 first, THEN 29 to make the 4-digit address take effect.
If you DO lose it, using address 00 in ops mode and doing the reset will get you back to the beginning again. Also not that not ALL decoders use CV8=8 for a reset, so in the future with other locos and decoders other than Tsunami, check the decoder's instructions as the reset may be a different one.
I've noticed that the factory installed Tsunami boards on the Athearn Genesis F units don't always work on a programing track with a Digitrax Zephyr. Really hit or miss.
However if you install the Tsunami board yourself (TSU-GN1000) they always work on the programing track.
Odd.
So maybe your GP15 has the same odd characteristics if it is a factory installed Tsunami board.
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
Karl, while other will scoff at doing this, why not just use a 2 digit address? I do it for the very reason you are posting, I like simple. On my Big Boy, it is 4022, well I had all ready used 40, so I made the address 22. My RSD 15 is #9822, well 22 is taken by the Big Boy, so I used 98.
Far as I know, all Decoders will take a 2 digit address with out having to change any of the other CV's. I all so keep a list I can print out when I have guest over to run.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
I might try that 2 digit address, Ken: thanks for the suggestion.
cudaken Karl, while other will scoff at doing this, why not just use a 2 digit address? I do it for the very reason you are posting, I like simple. On my Big Boy, it is 4022, well I had all ready used 40, so I made the address 22. My RSD 15 is #9822, well 22 is taken by the Big Boy, so I used 98. Far as I know, all Decoders will take a 2 digit address with out having to change any of the other CV's. I all so keep a list I can print out when I have guest over to run. Cuda Ken
Sorry, but I don't consider this simple. Instead of looking at the number on the cab and keying it in, it becomes a guessing game as to which number to use. Plus you have to print out a list?
You need to also mention that consist addresses use the same number range as the two digit addresses, potentially creating another conflict.
Just my opinion.
maxman cudaken: Karl, while other will scoff at doing this, why not just use a 2 digit address? I do it for the very reason you are posting, I like simple. On my Big Boy, it is 4022, well I had all ready used 40, so I made the address 22. My RSD 15 is #9822, well 22 is taken by the Big Boy, so I used 98. Far as I know, all Decoders will take a 2 digit address with out having to change any of the other CV's. I all so keep a list I can print out when I have guest over to run. Cuda Ken Sorry, but I don't consider this simple. Instead of looking at the number on the cab and keying it in, it becomes a guessing game as to which number to use. Plus you have to print out a list? You need to also mention that consist addresses use the same number range as the two digit addresses, potentially creating another conflict. Just my opinion.
cudaken: Karl, while other will scoff at doing this, why not just use a 2 digit address? I do it for the very reason you are posting, I like simple. On my Big Boy, it is 4022, well I had all ready used 40, so I made the address 22. My RSD 15 is #9822, well 22 is taken by the Big Boy, so I used 98. Far as I know, all Decoders will take a 2 digit address with out having to change any of the other CV's. I all so keep a list I can print out when I have guest over to run. Cuda Ken
So far for me it has been pretty easy, but I only have 40 engines. I only print out a list for when guest's come over. If I happen to forget a cab number, I run my trains I am sitting by the computer anyway. I saved the list on the desk top so it is all wise there.
Far as the consist address, again I keep it real simple. I run a Digitrax SEB, I use Op's mode and change the rear engine to the led engines address on the main line.
"Plus you have to print out a list?" Yea, I bet old Karl wished that was all he had to do to get his GP-15 running again.
cudaken So far for me it has been pretty easy, but I only have 40 engines. I only print out a list for when guest's come over. If I happen to forget a cab number, I run my trains I am sitting by the computer anyway. I saved the list on the desk top so it is all wise there. Far as the consist address, again I keep it real simple. I run a Digitrax SEB, I use Op's mode and change the rear engine to the led engines address on the main line. "Plus you have to print out a list?" Yea, I bet old Karl wished that was all he had to do to get his GP-15 running again. Cuda Ken
Wow. I don't think I could do things that way.
Although I make extensive use of a layout computer, it's not next to the layout. It's actually in an opposite corner of the basement, facing away from the layout, to better simulate dispatching. Even if it was closer to the layout, I wouldn't want to have to depend on it for basic layout operation. For example, that's why I have routes programmed into my DS64's, instead of using JMRI routes. I still want the layout to be operable, even if for some reason the computer isn't.
And It's really easy to program a four-digit address, especially if you use JMRI. Even if you don't have a computer to layout link, you can still use JMRI to determine the proper values and then program them manually, one CV at a time.
Plus, for me at least, programming basic stuff like addresses would be considered maintenance, not an operating task. Sure, you may need to do a minor "break-fix" thing, once in a while, but that should be the exception, not the rule.
To me at least, doing things like programming kludged two-digit addresses on the fly and having to maintain a cheat-sheet to keep track of them just seems counter to what DCC is supposed to do for my layout.
Steve, I am more of a rail fan and not into op's so I don't change engine address very often.
Far as running the layout, you would have to see how it is set up. My desk is about 6 foot from the closet point to the layout which is 19 X 13 X 13.5 feet and is shaped some what like a G. My DP 150 and DT 400 sits right by my computer. I have 3 UP 5 on the layout when I want to sit closer to the trains.
I do not use my computer to run the trains, but I do use decoder pro to change more advances CV's. Speed matching CV's I use the Op's mode and DT 400 to change them.
Even if I where using 4 digits address I would still have to have a cheat sheet because I cannot see the engine numbers printed on the engines from where I am sitting. It is all so easier for me to remember 2 numbers than 4.
Rather a person thinks it more complicated or not, it works well for me.