I recently bought a Lenz set 100 and I am slowly learning my way around it. I have got down basic operation, and basic progamming on the programing track.
I have run into two problems that I can not seem to figure out.
1. Loco is a P2K Switcher with NCESW9 decoder, loco is mechanically sound. This loco does not respond to any command. I have done factory reset on the decoder and tried reporgamming, no luck. I have tried each different speed step setting, no luck. Lights do not come on or off. When the loco is placed on the track it runs full speed for about a foot of track and then is dead.
2. Loco is BB Athearn, decoder is an older Digitrax. Loco operates just fine on the main, I want to change the loco's address but when I place it on the programming track and try to read the address it reads ERROR 2.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. I have printed off the operation manual and have that to go by.
Martin.
You may need a resistor on the programming track. Some systems need that, or in some case, the decoders need that setup.
The NCE decoder sounds like it is one of the decoders that does not take very well to transponding. The version 3.6 Lenz systems enables Railcom by default. You can do one of two things. Disable Railcom or configure how Railcom reads the NCE decoder. This is found on page 16 of the LZV manual. Our club found it easier to disable Railcom instead of constantly adjusting it to various decoders.
Error 2 means no decoder found while trying to read it. You can still program without reading. Check your locomotive wiring and also the truck swivel pads for a clean smooth connection if your BB loco has a hot frame.
Download both the LZV100 and the LH100 version 3.6 manuals from the Lenz web site.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Have you tried running the locomotive as #3? If you did a reset, or if the engine was never changed from its defaults, then it would be at the original address of 3.
How is your programming track set up? You probably have this right, since you're getting an error, but it's a good idea to check everything. The programming track outputs are only active in programming mode, at which point the track outputs are disabled until you leave programming mode.
I have some engines with QSI sound decoders which are difficult to program on the programming track, due to power requirements. You might try the Programming On Main (POM) option to give you more available power.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Thanks for the quick replies. I will try to respond, the programming track is seperate and wire directly to terminals P & Q. After I done the decoder reset I tried running the loco on address 3 and still no response.
I should point out all other locos program fine and run fine on the main.
Pete, i downloaded and printed out the 3.6 manual, I will read up on the Railcom, thanks.
You really need both manuals for your system. The LH100 manual is just for the throttle and how it interacts with the layout and trains. The LZV100 manual is for the command station and booster.
The reason I suggested disabling Railcom is that our club was running an older version of Lenz (3.2) for years without any problems. Any locomotive we put on the rails worked great. We did some layout upgrades and bought 2 new boosters and upgraded the command station at the same time. After the upgrade there were several locos that would not respond or run away for no apparent reason. After taking them home and trying to figure out what was wrong I found that they run great on other layouts. The common denominator was that they were older NCE decoders and the recent Lenz upgrade. Several E-mails to Lenz and NCE solved the problem. Older NCE decoders are confused with Bi- directional communications on the main line while trying to accept commands. Disabling a feature we do not use was the logical thing to do. Remember that after resetting the Lenz system you will have to disable Railcom again.
Lenz is a great system. Be very careful when unplugging the LH100 from the fascia panels. The 5 pin DIN plugs are so positive in their conections that several of our club members have ruined the cords by pulling on the cord and not the solid plug ends. The Germans know how to build things but they are very confusing when it comes to instructions and software programming. Many Lenz users have suggested that Railcom be disabled by default in the next upgrade.
I have both manuals Pete, thanks for your explanation of the issue with NCE decoders.