Bachmann and Digitrax don't play well

[Moses45]

I bought a Bachmann with decoder installed. After I bought it I discovered I cant program it with Digitrax. I under stand I Can install a resistor on my programming track, but this is territory I am not used to. Are there other options? Should I install a different decoder. Is that hard to do? Do you just wire each end of the resistor to one track?

[maxman]

Moses45

I bought a Bachmann with decoder installed. After I bought it I discovered I cant program it with Digitrax.

You are going to have to provide more information.  Which decoder came in the loco, a Bachmann or a Tsunami?  What makes you think you can't program the loco?  Which Digitrax system do you have?

[Moses45]

I can give any loco an address except the new one. It is an old Digitrax DCS50. It returns an error that there is an open circuit on the programming track. I don't know what type of decoder. It simply is market as "digital on board". I took the inspection screw off and can see the decoder, but no name. I hate to disassemble it. I have rad elsewhere where this brand can be programmed with Lenz.

[cacole]

Try programming on the main line instead of the programming track.

If it is a Bachmann DCC On-Board, the decoder was made by Lenz of Germany but is a very watered down version that even Lenz doesn't like to admit.

After changing to your long address, you need to also program CV29 to a value of 34 as a separate programming step to tell the decoder to run on the new, long address.  

[mfm37]

Have you tried direct mode programming? Lenz decoders prefer direct mode. If that doesn't work, try placing another DC engine on the programming track along with your DCC engine. Some extra load on the track helps with those decoders. That's the reason the 1k ohm resistor is suggested..

Martin Myers

[Moses45]

The train is set to 3 at the factory so I can run it. Will try the suggestions when I get back from an extended trip. Thanks to you all.

[PennCentral99]

It's starting to sound like there's a soundtraxx tsunami in it, may have to use the "blast mode" to program the address.

Let us know when your back from your "extended trip" and we'll advise.

[dante]

Re: the resistor

Get a 1k resistor and just lay it across the rails of the programming track.

Dante 

[jrbernier]

  If you have a 'sound' engine from Bachmann, it should have a Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder in it.  Sound decoders can be a problem to program,  Your Digitrax Zephyr has a special function available to handle these decoders.  Set CV7 in the DCS50 to a value of 'C' - This is 'Blast Programming' mode.  All of the programming track commands will also be sent to the main line.  Make sure there are NO other engines on the layout when you do this - They will be programmed!

  With only the new engine on the track, set the address - it should take.  Go to normal operation and see if you can 'acquire' the engine via the new number.

  Now - Set CV7 on your Zephyr to a value of 'T' - this sets the system back to the normal mode.

Jim

[bolter9]

I have a couple of Bachmann non sound dcc locos. I had to use blast mode with my zephyr xtra to program them in the main. Found that info on the bachmann forums.