rrinker Not Ops Mode, Op Mode works the same on a DB150 as it does on a DC100 or Zephyr. However - since there is no program track output for the DB150, you CAN select Paged or Direct programming and it WILL every single time program EVERY loco left on the track. This is part of the reason I recommend that no one get a Super Empuire Builder set as their only DCC system - you're askign for mistakes to be made that are VERY frustrating, especially for a beginner. With a Zephyr od Super Chief (DCS100), if you accidently hit the Program button and switch to Paged or Direct, nothing will happen to the trains on your main track. --Randy
Not Ops Mode, Op Mode works the same on a DB150 as it does on a DC100 or Zephyr. However - since there is no program track output for the DB150, you CAN select Paged or Direct programming and it WILL every single time program EVERY loco left on the track. This is part of the reason I recommend that no one get a Super Empuire Builder set as their only DCC system - you're askign for mistakes to be made that are VERY frustrating, especially for a beginner. With a Zephyr od Super Chief (DCS100), if you accidently hit the Program button and switch to Paged or Direct, nothing will happen to the trains on your main track.
--Randy
Ok. We are saying the same thing. Your explanation was more detailed. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something in the earlier conversation about using Service Mode programming on the mains. With an SC or Zephyr that is a foreign concept.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
The NCE Autoswitch device will fix that shortcoming with the DB150, if you put it in Program mode it will disconnect power from the main track and route it to a seperate piece of track to use for programming. Ops Mode will still send program commands to the main track as it should. But Ops Mode does NOT program all the locos on the track unless you dial up address 00 or they all have the same address.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker Po Ops mode ONLY sends program commands to the address you have selected. Unless you select address 00 - then it broadcasts. The real danger with a DB150 is using one of the regular program modes - like paged or direct. Then it WILL program EVERYTHING connected to the track outputs. As above, I've heard the NCE autoswitch gadget will work equally well with Digitrax. This nifty device has a relay that will switch output to a different set of terminals when the DB150 goes into program mode. When you switch the track power back on, it flips the output to the other terminals which are connected to your main track. So that leaves you with Ops Mode programming to address 00 as the only way you'll reset bunches of locos. --Randy
Po Ops mode ONLY sends program commands to the address you have selected. Unless you select address 00 - then it broadcasts. The real danger with a DB150 is using one of the regular program modes - like paged or direct. Then it WILL program EVERYTHING connected to the track outputs.
As above, I've heard the NCE autoswitch gadget will work equally well with Digitrax. This nifty device has a relay that will switch output to a different set of terminals when the DB150 goes into program mode. When you switch the track power back on, it flips the output to the other terminals which are connected to your main track. So that leaves you with Ops Mode programming to address 00 as the only way you'll reset bunches of locos.
Is this issue primarily an SEB/DB150 issue since it doesn't have separate programming track outputs ? With the DCS100s in the Super Chief systems and the DCS50 in the Zeyhyr systems anything but Po mode goes to the programming track and isn't broadcast on the mains (unless you setup some type of switching arrangement to switch the programming outputs to the mains and not in an isolated block).
DANSGRANDPAPAThat gizmo they are talking about above sounds cool, but will it stop ALL programming on the main?
Ken,
Stupid is a harsh word dont ya think? I save it for leaving my KD height gauge on the rails when I turn on track power, banging my head into the bottom of the layout causing a 10.0 earthquake above and my personal favoright, dropping a small part on a shag rug.
I have the same system as you and know all too well the name of this song. The ops mode is such a cool feature, but the address WILL bite you. That gizmo they are talking about above sounds cool, but will it stop ALL programming on the main?
Doug
cudakenGoing to guess installing the battery will not stop this from happing.
cudaken NCE Auto-SW may not be a bad idea. How I happened to mess up is I have to UP 5's. I was changing the trains around so I could run the Big Boy on the out side A line with bigger turns. I all so decider to remove the smoke unit jumper and reset to default. Well I was rolling back and forth between the 2 UP 5's and that is when I messed up. Going to guess installing the battery will not stop this from happing. Cuda Ken
NCE Auto-SW may not be a bad idea. How I happened to mess up is I have to UP 5's. I was changing the trains around so I could run the Big Boy on the out side A line with bigger turns. I all so decider to remove the smoke unit jumper and reset to default. Well I was rolling back and forth between the 2 UP 5's and that is when I messed up.
Going to guess installing the battery will not stop this from happing.
Cuda Ken
Yes, I believe that the 400s reset to the main screen when they are pulled out whether or not there's a battery, so that somebody running with dancing fingers doesn' casually do something stupid.
-Morgan
I hate Rust
Mass re-programming has happened at my club at least three times. It can only be caused in four different ways.
1). Ops Mode programming an address when you don't have any loco address selected.2). Ops Mode programming an address when you have "00" selected as the active address.3). Programming an address in any other mode when you have DB150 boosters and you don't have the track outputs isolated while programming.
4). Programming an address in any other mode when you have DB150 boosters and you don't have them programmed or set to be booster-only.
If you avoid those 4 circumstances, you shouldn't be able to program all your online locos to the same address.
Paul A. Cutler III*******************Weather Or No Go New Haven*******************
cudakenYep, did it again, changed 14 engines address to 22 tonight!
Ken, if you have a PR3, program directly from the PR3 using DecoderPro. I use a programing track on my workbench. You can save the CV settings in DecoderPro. If you mess up a locomotive just bring up DecoderPro and resend the saved CVs to the locomotive. I gave up punching CVs in a DT400 a long time ago. Once you go to DecoderPro, you'll never look back.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
Ken, they say misery loves company. Well...I have done it once or twice. Except that I have a firm policy....no address changes unless the engine is isolated on my programming track/turntable lead. any other type of CV change is fair game out on the main, but not address changes....ever! That is because I use Paged Mode as the manual for the Digitrax SEB suggests.
There have been times when I was tired and forgot to check that I was in Ops Mode and I programmed a CV input only to have the Beeep, and all the non-QSI engines do their little stuttering shuttle forward...then silence. D'Ohh!! Oddly, I have never had to "undo" it because whatever I did didn't seem to affect any of the other engines when I restored power to the tracks. I could acquire any of them and toot the whistle, make them move.... Lucky, I guess.
Ken, don't do address changes out on the main....ever!
Yep, did it again, changed 14 engines address to 22 tonight! I know I can only change CV's on the main using PO mode. But, where I mess up is when I unplug the DT 400 from a UP 5 port and go to a different UP 5. I forget to check and make sure programing is still PO, seems it likes to go to a default setting. If I install a 9 volt battery will it keep the settings I have set?
Messing up again, Cuda Ken