Programing track?

[armchair]

 I would use an isolated pro. track. I learned the hard way on my first dcc set, the atlas system. I was careful not to to have any wheels cross the gaps,but sooner or later it WILL happen  . I fried that system . On my new system I have a dedicated program beside the command station, I use the Easy Dcc wireless system & they recomend keeping the leads as short as posible to the pro. track . I am glad I learned this before I fried the new system !  The abandoned siding is a good idea also.  luck, Randy....

[BRVRR]

Mikesmowers,

My layout is powered by a Digitrax Zephyr. My programming track is camouflaged as an abandoned siding near the front of the layout, convenient to the command station.

I use the programming track for setting the address on a loco and sometimes a few other things. Most of my programming is done in OPS mode on the layout or with DecoderPro.

The advantage of the 'abandoned siding' is that it is only connected to the programming ports on the command station and is completely isolated, with no access, from the main layout.

I'm sure there are many other 'methods' of establishing a programming track, separate or connected, but I feel the safest with a separate track, whether or not it is a part of the layout.

Do what you think is best and will work for you. Good luck.

[jbinkley60]

mikesmowers

 I am in the process of building an N scale layout and am running a Digitrax  Super Chief. I am thinking of using the end on one of my yard rails as a programing track. What I am thinking is to lay the track as usual and cutting insulating gaps into it. I am thinking of making two cuts on each rail about 4" apart, this will insure that NO current from the tracks will ever get to the programing track. Will this work or am I asking for trouble?

  Also,  I have been told to program an Atlas loce I need a 1K resister, can this be mounted into the wiring possible with a switch, or do I need to make a jumper wire? Anyone ever heard of this?    Thanks,    Mike

Mike,

Here's an entire thread on the topic from a week ago.  You may find it helpful.

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/145396.aspx

I have a  Super Chief system and have never had to place a resistor across the programming track.  On the newer Atlas QSI7 equipped decoders I have had to program the long address using Direct mode instead of Paged mode programming. 

 

[HHPATH56]

 Your double cut insulation sounds OK, but I still prefer to use a separately mounted 3ft Progamming track, that can be placed on a workbench, for Programming your locos, (in case someone else is operating your layout, who does not know the purpose of the toggle switch for the two operations.)     Bob Hahn

[mikesmowers]

 I am in the process of building an N scale layout and am running a Digitrax  Super Chief. I am thinking of using the end on one of my yard rails as a programing track. What I am thinking is to lay the track as usual and cutting insulating gaps into it. I am thinking of making two cuts on each rail about 4" apart, this will insure that NO current from the tracks will ever get to the programing track. Will this work or am I asking for trouble?

  Also,  I have been told to program an Atlas loce I need a 1K resister, can this be mounted into the wiring possible with a switch, or do I need to make a jumper wire? Anyone ever heard of this?    Thanks,    Mike