I installed a TCS Z2 decoder into an HO scale Bachmann 44-ton switcher a great while back, and although it ran good I have finally gotten around to programming. Everything runs perfect, but there are a few things that wouldn't work.
I have Rule 17 lighting programmed, which according to TCS the lights should dim when stopped (speed step "0") or when (default) F4 is pressed, but neither of these occur. The lights do dim properly according to direction of travel. Is there a problem the programming (my fault) or do I just not understand the affect (also me)?
I also tried to program for braking (default F6) for braking application affect, but it would not function. Followed directions via TCS. Is there a problem here or did I just not understand again?
Can anyone help please?
Note: I program my decoders at a model rr club layout. They have a separate programming/run track fed by a Digitrax DCS100 (Super Chief set IIRC).
Did you set CV61 to 49? This is BEMF on (1) + Dim when Stopped (16) + Opposite Dim (32). Oh wait, add another 8 for the brake - although the Z2 might not have that feature. So CV61 should be 57 to enable all the features you want.
You may also have to adjust CV64 so the dim is really dimmed - if you used the stock bulbs it should be OK, but for LEDs I usually have to make it 2 or 3 to actually see a dim that is noticeable different from the bright.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Yup did all that. Had CV61 at 57 for all mentioned, had CV for brake rate set at 20 so it wouldn't be too sudden but enough to tell if it was working. I am pretty sure I read that all TCS decoders came will all affects features but maybe I did misunderstand that.
As for the lighting, as mentioned I have CV 61 with the value for it. I tried adding the proper values to CV49 and CV50, respectively, for FOF and FOR but no affect. The loco is only an industrial switcher so being able to dim the forward facing light with a Function button really isn't too important.
My 44-tonner certainly is the little engine that could. I would like to get a few more to have a 2 or 3 unit consist for those "long" 14 car op session trains.
I'm thinking this feature might not be enabled in the Z2. I just teseted with one of my locos that has either a T1 or a DP2 in it, I had CV61=33 so I got opposite dim but not dim while stopped. I changed CV61 to 57 to get opposite dim, dim while stopped, brake, and BEMF. Dim when stopped worked, as did opposite dim. I had no brake effect with F6 though, either running or while coasting down on momentum, activating F6 did nothing. This might be something for the new WOWSound decoders.
F4 did dim the headlight before and after making the other changes - dunno why yours won;t do that.
The Z2 manual is found here. http://tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Literature/Decoders/Z_Scale/Z2/Z2.pdf
Set CV49 = 40, CV50 = 40, CV61=49, CV62 for what you have for lights (LED or bulbs), CV123=32.
The braking button control is in this manual and should be on your Z2 decoder. http://tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Technical_Info/Tech_Manuals/Comprehensive%20Programming%20Guide.pdf
Hope this helps you out.
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!
The CV settings are correct. The Z2, and the DP2, and the T1 manuals do not mention the brake option, but they don't mention a lot of things - then you have the full reference manual which does have all that stuff, but there is a notice that not all decoders have all the features.
They also don;t mention which firmware revision - TCS has made changes over time to the decoders but doesn;t always update the revision number CV to reflect any diffferences. The fact that mine behave the same way, ie, no brake action with F6, leads me to believe this is not yet implemented or is only in certain decoders - possibly the new sound decoders since having a brake with a sound decoder makes a lot of sense as there is both a physical effect plus a sound change when the braking is engaged.
I actually printed out the second page of the Z2 decoder manual for a place to keep track of my CV values. Here is my list:
CV29 38 (128 steps, dual mode, 4-digit address)
CV17= 209 and CV18= 92 (for address 4444, hey it is a 44-tonner!)
CV61= 57 for BEMF enabled w/button control, dim when stopped, opposite dim, braking function
CV136=2 for BEMF function button
CV64=12 for dim brightness
CV2= 7 (crawls at 1 scale mph in step 1)
CV6= 42 (about 10 scale mph at 50% throttle)
CV5= 128 (30 scale mph at full throttle, again it is a 44t switcher!)
CV3= 15
CV4= 15
CV49= 40 for Rule 17 forward and reverse
CV50= 40 for Rule 17 forward and reverse
and that's it. I didn't see anything marked for CV 123 though.
Berkshire.
Download the comprehensive manual that I linked to earlier. It has a lot more info than the little paper that comes with the decoder. The comprehensive manual will go more in depth and has all the features that will help you understand what happens when a CV is changed.
That's where the info on the brake comes from, it's not in any of the standard instruction sheets, it only shows the options for BEMF button control and the dim on stop and opposite dim.