Hi all, i have a small problem programming CV29. I have a few Atlas N scale locos, all with factory decoders in and have been trying to speed match some of them. Since these decoders dont have CV 5 and 6 i played around with the speed table using decoderpro, but i dont have a connection between the pc and layout, im just using decoderpro to calculate the values and then put them in manually on the programming track, im using a zephyr. The loco that i have a problem with is a GP38, decoder is a Lenz LEO63XF (i think this is the correct one, got it off the Atlas website). After i have put in the speed table values i changed CV29 to 18 (using only 2 digit address, is this value correct?) but then when i read back CV29 the value is only 2, i have resetted the decoder a few times but the problem stays the same. I also tried changing the direction of the loco, making CV29 = 19, this time when i read back the value is 3 so it seems it doesnt want to take the speed table bit, any ideas what could be wrong?
thanks
18 is correct to use the custom speed table with 2-digit addressing, 128 speed steps. WHich according ot the manual is supported. However it sure is behaving like there is no bit 4 in CV29, which wa smy first thought until I found the manual for both that 63 and the 62 and both say they support speed tables. They are both older low-end decoders and sometimes lack features, but that desn't seem to be the case here. Unless of course the decoder is not the LE063XF. Try setting CV29 to 16 and use 14/28 SS mode, see if it at least holds the value. The manual says it can use the speed table in 128SS mode, but you never know. Also make sure you have all values set in the speed table - skipping one might cause it to not activate.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy i tried setting CV29 to 16 but when i read it back it has also changed to 2. Then i took a GP40 that has the same decoder in and the same thing happened. I am suspecting now that these locos have a different decoder in that the 63 and think it might be best to get new decoders for them. I did a SD50 also that have the 62 in and with that one CV29 kept its value.
Can you read CV7 and CV8?
CV8 should be 99 for LENZ. CV7 should be 44 if it's a lenz LE063XF or LE062XF.
For Atlas (made by Lenz) CV8 would be 127.
The earliest Atlas N decoder equipped engines came with a digitrax decoder. Not sure if the GP38's used them or not.
I checked those 2 CV's and CV7 is 46 and CV8 is 127 so it seems CV7 is wrong, what would that now mean?
fanie I checked those 2 CV's and CV7 is 46 and CV8 is 127 so it seems CV7 is wrong, what would that now mean?
CV8=127 is an Atlas decoder
CV7=46 is 4 function 345 series like decoder
Here's a link on the Atlas website which matches CV7 and 8 for an N scale locomotive. A Lenz LEO63XF has CV7=45 not 46. See page 6 of the manual.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
Notice on the first document that is specifically for the Atlas model number decoder, bit 4 is always 0. There is also no mention of CV 67 to 94. That means no speed curve on the Atlas version. (CV8= 127) Atlas uses a stripped down version of the Lenz decoder. Also reading through the "features" on the Atlas sheet no speed curve is mentioned. One thing I've learned over the years is if it don't say it, it probably does not do it.
The Lenz decoder; CV8= 99 on the other hand, lists a value for bit 4. (16)
Martin Myers
fanieThe loco that i have a problem with is a GP38, decoder is a Lenz LEO63XF
fanieI checked those 2 CV's and CV7 is 46 and CV8 is 127 so it seems CV7 is wrong, what would that now mean?
Im pretty sure its a GP38 since i bought them brand new from nscalesupply. Anyway thanks for the help guys, i think what im going to do now is get a few new decoders and see how it goes then. I did some searching and found this decoder: Digitrax DN163A0, not looking for something fancy, it must at least just support CV2, 5 and 6, what do you guys think?
Digitrax DN163AO will work. TCS and NCE also have drop in decoders available for ATLAS N scale engines. All support the three step method and speed tables-your choice.
MRC has a sound decoder too but it doesn't support CV6 or adjustable speed tables.
Due to the lack of features included with ATLAS decoders, I have settled on my own method. I only purchase the model with no decoder and install a DZ123 or DZ143 decoder by cutting traces and soldering the wires to the modified analog board. Since the DZ125 (with BEMF)was introduced, that is now my official Atlas decoder.
I'm having the exact same problem. It only happens with the 127/46 version of the Atlas/Lenz decoders that come with the Atlas GP-40s. I purchased these locomotives new from the the vendor years ago with the intent of using them on the layout once I get to that point. I'm at that point now. Come to find out that the few that have the 127/45 decoder in them you can program CV29 bit 4 to turn on the speed table CV29=50 works just fine. On the Atlas 127/46 decoders it will in no way let you program CV29 in any way to include bit 4. I tried all sorts of combinations. CV29 seems to like to revert back to a value 34. The other problem is that the basic speed table for these decoders they omit CV5 and CV6 so your are left with CV2 for start voltage. When consisting this does not work as all the locomotives are speed matched but the Atlas GP 40s with the 127/46 decoders. the consist will be moving along at a nice 30mph pace and the GP40 will be trying to scream along at 120mph. So if you say they are SD-24 decoders, well they alsoput them in the GP40s and the Trainmasters and a few others. It seems the luck of the draw on what decoder came in the engine as I have two SP Black Widow Trainmasters purchased at the same time. One has the 127/45 and the other has the 127/46. The Trainmasters were purchased to run the commuter train, but can not consist them do to the 127/46 decoder.
AzBaja
Well Mr AzBaja, you've revived a 10 year old thread!
This means that first, it is unlikely the people who orignally contributed are still around, and second we are talking about really old tech!
I have never heard of Lenz decoders being used nowadays until now (that doesn't mean they aren't used though...). That means it is unlikely people will be able to give advice.
Perhaps you might want to consider a new, modern decoder for your locos. Decoders have really changed in the past ten years!
Good luck, maybe someone does know about Lenz decodes, it's hard to say...
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
Mr. SPSOT fan
I came accross this problem this week with some Atlas engines I have so this is very relvent for me as of today. That is why I looked it up and found the comments here. I have a Dozen or more Brand new in the box Atlas engines with those Lenz decoders from Atlas. Looking to see if anyone found a fix to the problem other than REPLACE everything... Sorry not made of money and would rather not spend $420 on new decoders for Brand new never used decoder equiped locomotives that I purchased around 9 or 10 years ago before the layout was operational or built. Next optionis to sell all 12 on eBay as New in the box never used Decoder equiped and let it be some else problem.
RR_Mel Randy is still around and I’m sure he will pop in. I’m sure he is much better today than he was back in 2009.
True, let's hope Randy sees this and he still uses Lenz stuff!
Lenz has also made some not so great stuff, for other people to resell. The very lacking early Bachmann DCC On-Board is an example. And unfortunately another example are these Atlas dual-mode decoders. They lack certain features, in the case of the Atlas, no speed tables.
It's not the end of the world, yoou cna match other locos to these. Or just run these together - there's no need for locooos to run in perfect lockstep to be able to consist them, close is perfectly fine, and a group of locos from the same manufacturer with the same decoder in alo of them should run plenty close to one another with no additional tuning needed.