Help! I have a beautiful Precision Craft Y6B with Loksound. I use a Lenz 100/LH-100 config 3.0. I love the system and have had success programing QSI systems. Well I have been running my Y6B for months as address 003 and without any accel/decel settings in CV 3/4 or volume changes. I'm not interested in reprogramming sounds - just the basics.
This weekend it was time to experiment and try to program a 4 digit address and some basic settings on the main using the Lenz; needless to say it turned out BAD. I still get sound but no comms with the loco. It doesnt go and I get no responce from the sound functions. Apparently I cant reset the factory settings either or I assume address 003 would work once again. I tried programing on the Programming track, service mode, but kept blowing the circut.
I admit I have hesitated buying the Loksound Programmer, not because I'm cheap, which I am at times, but because I only want to change simple settings and I dont always have good luck with computers. Again, I did all I wanted to do with QSI and hoped I could do the same with Loksound.
Please advise what my best options may be!
1. get the 47ohm (recomended) resistor to program or reset in service mode? will it work with Loksound? I'll try this anyway, nothing to loose.
2. buy the Loksound programmer; will it save the day?
3. replace a good Loksound decoder with another, such as a Lenz, if so someone can a good drop in decoder? this would be new ground for me.
4. get help from Loksound, Precision Craft or Tonys TrainExchange etc?
Thanks in advance.
I have not used Loksound, but with QSI, I have never been able to communicate with my NCE PowerCab in programming track mode. Instead, I have been able to set and activate the long address "on the main" in OPS mode. NCE isn't too happy about changing addresses this way, so what I do is first set the long address. The decoder will store the long address, but won't activate it. Then I reselect the loco using the short address and set CV29 to activate the long address with the 6th bit (value 32) set to a 1. Most locos can handle a value of 32 for this CV, unless you need DC operation or reverse direction, etc. After setting CV29, I select the loco using the long address and can run it.
If you can't get the loco to move on address 3 or your long address, you might have trouble. Maybe you could reset the decoder and try again. Does the Loksound have a way to get it to speak the CV values like QSI does?
Jim
Earlier in this forum was a thread about useing decoder pro without hooking to a layout. You can program on the main by CVs. The way the author of the thread explained was great. I have one Loksound decoder and have instaled and programed 4 for club members and will not buy another. While the motor part works great the whistle is a big disapointment for me.
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!
jim22 wrote: I have not used Loksound, but with QSI, I have never been able to communicate with my NCE PowerCab in programming track mode. Instead, I have been able to set and activate the long address "on the main" in OPS mode. NCE isn't too happy about changing addresses this way, so what I do is first set the long address. The decoder will store the long address, but won't activate it. Then I reselect the loco using the short address and set CV29 to activate the long address with the 6th bit (value 32) set to a 1. Most locos can handle a value of 32 for this CV, unless you need DC operation or reverse direction, etc. After setting CV29, I select the loco using the long address and can run it.If you can't get the loco to move on address 3 or your long address, you might have trouble. Maybe you could reset the decoder and try again. Does the Loksound have a way to get it to speak the CV values like QSI does? Jim
Jim, it seems to me that a great number of people seem to overlook the critical step of enabling any long address (a number higher than "127") by setting CV29 to the value that is specified by the manufacturer for the parameters desired in the long address configuration. As you point out, and I wonder if the OP has noticed it, CV 29 must have a value of 32 (for the Loksound decoders, 38 or 34 for most others) programmed into it, and then the engine will take instructions from the throttle when the new address is engaged on the throttle. As you say, that is easily done in Ops Mode on most systems...or should be.
-Crandell
I have the same loco although I use the Digitrax system. I could not reliably program the loksound decoder so I bought the soundtraxx PB-100 (I think that is the proper name). With the PB-100 you can program any decoder regardless of manufacturer.
Terry in Florida
CV29 is the magic key to the kingdom when changing a LokSound decoder to a long address. I have a Precision Craft A-B-A set with this decoder in both A units. Using an NCE PowerPro Wireless I programmed them on the main, one at a time, and then set CV29 separately to tell the decoder to use the new long address. Stepping through the NCE throttle's decoder configuration settings did not work, but programming CV29 as a separate step did.
I've sometimes had to do this with other brands of decoders, too.
cacole wrote: CV29 is the magic key to the kingdom when changing a LokSound decoder to a long address. I have a Precision Craft A-B-A set with this decoder in both A units. Using an NCE PowerPro Wireless I programmed them on the main, one at a time, and then set CV29 separately to tell the decoder to use the new long address. Stepping through the NCE throttle's decoder configuration settings did not work, but programming CV29 as a separate step did.I've sometimes had to do this with other brands of decoders, too.
I just do it automatically exactly this way. I do understand, though, that some of the systems just don't seem to be able to scare the instructions past some decoders minimal input energy requirements. What's a guy to do?
Try running it from address 3 again. I tried programing my loco when it didn't have power () and did that and eventualy was able to program it.
Jim & Chuck,
That's weird. I have a Trix 2-8-2 Mike and a PCM F3 A-B; both with Loksound decoders in them. I had NO problems programming either one of them with my Power Cab to a 4-digit address on my programming track.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I read that an OEM Loksound 2's sounds could not be reprogrammed. This turned out to be false. I took the 2 from my Trix Mikado and reprogrammed it as a Diesel. Unless there is a protection fuse blown by the OEM, 3.0's should be reprogrammable.
Hal