db 150 8 beeps

[Roadie]

I am running a db 150 digitrax and it started to act up So I reset it with ops 39 to closed with no change

when I re boot the db 150 it beeps 8 times but still will  not start any locos you can hear the power hitting the sound loco with just a faint crackle is this something I need to return to 

digitrax it is only about 2 months old or is there another option I can try

Thanks

[jrbernier]

  Disconnect all of the Loconet cables(including throttles).  power off/on the DB150 - Does it still give you 8 beeps?  If so, you may have a mass storage error in the DB150.  You did change the op39 back to 'thrown' - correct?

  If the DB150 powers up without the 8 beeps, plug in your throttle and test - Do not use the radio function - just plug your DT402x into one of the DB150 Loconet ports.  If the beeping starts, you have a throttle issue.

  There is no 'keep-alive' battery in the DB150(at least that I am aware of) and you did the op39- to 'closed' and back to 'thrown'.  Here is the correct sequence:

1. Place the MODE toggle switch in the Center OP position on the DB150
2. Press the "SWCH" key on the throttle
3. Press 36 to clear the slots or 39 to reset the unit to factory defaults 
4. Press the "c" key (which is also the Cloc key).  on the throttle
5. Now go back to the command station/booster and move the MODE toggle switch Down to "Sleep" and then up to "Run".  on the DB150

  Here are the troubleshooting beeps from the Digitrax web site:

• 1 Beep  - DCS powered on successfully or sent programming command
• 3 Beeps - Loco address has been “purged” due to non-use, this frees up slots for other locos
• 4 Beeps - Route nesting error or too many entries cascaded
• 5 Beeps - Booster short circuit shutdown. Fault alarm. Clear the short on the track & the DCS will reset
• 6 Beeps - Command Station already present in system-only one command station should be present
• 7 Beeps - CMOS battery low condition, time to change the battery
• 8 Beeps - Memory ECC/checksum fail. Auto reset (no action)
• 9 Beeps - DCS transmit failure. LocoNet fault
• 16 Beeps - Software timeout failure. Auto reset (no action)

Jim

[Roadie]

This is what I have done with a battery in my DT 402 throttle I first got a 5 beep and it still didn't turn on so I repeated the sequence and then I got the 8 beeps again look like I have a big problem

thanks 

[selector]

My DB150 has most often beeped several times when I first plug it in.  Actually, what I do is to leave it plugged into a power bar/surge protector so that I don't wear out the toggle.  I just use the rocker switch on the power bar.  When I rock the switch, I get dunno-how-many beeps, but at least seven, and I believe it is eight.  I just use the DT400 when the beeping stops, press Power, Function, and I'm good to go.

So, mine beeps quite a few times almost every time, but not always.

Crandell

[rrinker]

 Are you sure it's 8? More common is 9, if you have a throttle plugged in when turning it on, and/or you have a UR90/91/92 UR/radio panel with no power.

 Disconnect everything but the input power - no throttle, no track wires, and see what happens.

OpSw39 automatically goes back to thrown when you reset the system. It's like a momentary pushbutton - close it to do the reset, power down, then it comes back with everythign reset.

          --Randy

 

[Roadie]

Update I finally got the db 150 to work but as soon as I try to re program some of the loco's that had the address changed all on the main when it first done this. The loco on the main again all changes to the same address that was a cv value that I was changing not the address I hope I have explained it to where some one cane figure it out

again while trying to change cv on main all my loco address change to another address

the db150 has stopped working again also

thanks

[ba&prr]

If all the locos on the maim changed to the same address,it sound like you didn't use program on main. If you used PD, PG or PH (I think that's the 2 letters use for the other programming options) you should have gotten a beepr 2. You need to hit the power button on the throttle and the Y/+ button to turn the DB150 back on. Make sure the black dot is on solid and not flashing. See the manual for where the dot is if you're not sure.  Joe

[selector]

You have to remember to use the correct programming mode for the type of CV changes you want.

Digitrax recommends PAGED MODE for address changes.  That mode changes all decoders getting power from the DB150 at that moment.  So, you have to do this with all other locos removed or on a switchable and isolated length of rails nearby that you can easily hook the DB150 up to for only this one purpose....changing addresses.

All other programming can be done in OPS MODE, which you access by continuing to press "Program' on your throttle until it reads that in the display.  OPS MODE targets the one decoder whose address you have already changed, and that is active (blinking) in the display.  No other decoders will be affected unless they have the same address.   For example, if you have another address of "03" and programme a new loco still on that address in Paged Mode, both locos' decoders will make the change you input via the throttle.

PAGED MODE = Address changes only.  Use a separate track or remove all other decoders from the rails.

OPS MODE = all other CV changes for sounds, motion control, lighting.  You can do this once you do the address change, acquire that new address on the throttle to make it active (blinking), and no other decoders will accept those changes because they all have their own unique addresses at the time and will ignore the changes you are inputting to the new loco.

Crandell

[rrinker]

 Remember the DB150 does not have a seperate program track output, so if you select a program mode - it WILL program EVERY loco sitting on the main.

 The only except is Po, Ops Mode programming on the main - that only sends program commands to the specific address. Though Digitrax does allow Ops Mode to address 00 which is a broadcast to all locos ont he track.

 NCE has a device called the Auto-Switch that can be used with a DB150 as well that switches the track power to a dedicated program track when a program mode is selected.

                  --Randy

[Roadie]

That is what I try to do but I probably try to do it  to fast 

I have had my zephyr for a couple of yeas with no problem programming on the main just not having good success with the new db 15

Thanks for all your help and advice I will try them all and see if I can get it solved will update 

[rrinker]

 Do you still have the Zephyr? Hook it up like I did, use the DB150 as a booster only, the Zephyr as the command station. That way you get the dedicated program track and readback of the Zephyr, witht he 5 amps from the DB150. All you need is a Loconet cable between the Zephyr and the DB150, and a jumper wire between COnfig A and Ground on the DB150. If the Zephyr is not also connected to the track, no ground wire between it and the DB150 is needed. My Zephyr is stuffed up under the benchwork, I only use my DT402 and DT400 to run and program, never touching the Zephyr console.

 Using just the DB150, you just have to remember to select Po for Ops Mode so that it truly is only programming the addressed loco, any other program mode on the DB150, Pg for Paged, Pd for Direct, etc. will program ANYTHING on the track, not just the last selected loco. Po will work like Ops Mode on the Zephyr, and program only the loco that is selected - unles there are more than 1 locos with the same address, or if you use address 00.

                   --Randy

 

[Roadie]

Thanks Randy I will hook up my Zephyr as you described 

Thaks again

Clyde