DCC Programming booster

[TheK4Kid]

 Tony's Train Exchange has a DCC programming booster, which is very reasonably priced,

and I was wondering if my MRC  Power Staion 8 DCC booster would alow me to do the same thing,

programming instead on the main line, with no other locos on any of the main line.
I have some BLI  Paragon  steam locos with QSI in them that I am programming with my NCE Pro Cab but I get a "can't read the CV number" on the screen of my Pro Cab.

I was able to program one loco, but my J1 2-10-4 gave me some problems. Several features don't work,
such as directonal control and the headlight function.

These are all still new in the box locos, I bought several years ago.
I have 5 of them altogether, all different locos.

Would the MRC booster bring the current up high enogh to do the main line programming, or get a programming booster from Tony's?

 

Thanks!

 TheK4Kid

[Graffen]

I think you will need the programming booster. Some DCC-sound decoders need the power boost to react to programming, and you will most likely not have success with POM using a regular booster as they dont work in the same way as a programming booster, as far as I know.

[cacole]

I do practically all of my programming on the main line with an NCE Power Pro 5 Amp system.

It's not necessary to remove anything from the layout if you know the address of the item you want to program, at least not with the NCE system.  The ProCab throttle asks what address the decoder has that you want to program, and then to what address you want to change.

If the MRC system is not like that, then you may need the booster.  SoundTraxx also makes a booster that may be cheaper than Tony's, and you can leave it permanently connected to your track.  With Tony's booster, if you mistakenly leave it connected at the wrong time, you blow it out.  Tony's also requires a separate power supply, whereas the SoundTraxx booster doesn't. 

[simon1966]

To the OP, an MRC booster is not the same thing as a program track booster.  The MRC booster could be used to power a second power district on your layout.  The Tony's program track booster is used to help program on a program track.

I don't use the NCE Pro cab, like you do, so NCE folks will have to address the question about the ability to read back CV's when programming on the main.

[rrinker]

 Definitely can't read back in Ops Mode. The only system that can do that is Digitrax, when usign Digitrax transponding decoders with the rest of the transponding system indtalled (BDL-168 detectors and RX-4 transponding detectors). Maybe Lenz with Railcomm and Railcomm decoders can also read back CV values in Ops mode.

 It's not really a big deal. The only CV setting you really NEED to remember is the address. If you want to store all CV settings, program with DecoderPro, it automatically saves everything with the loco roster entry and you can easily look up the settings or reprogram the loco if the decoder gets reset. You don't even need a computer interface, you can make all the settign changes and view the All CVs page in DecoderPro and any that are red are changed fromt he default - use your handheld to program all those CVs and the values, and the decoder will have the settings you selected.

                                      --Randy

 

 

[TheK4Kid]

 What if straight out of the box, you don't know what the loco was set to at the factory, unless they are all set to "3"

I have the NCE Power Pro with the Pro Cab hand held.
I'll give programming on the main a try and see if my BLI J1 accepts it.
I have six BLI engines, an M1a, an M1b, two T1 duplexes, a J1, and a GG1, all in Pennsy logo.
I have about 20 other steamers and two F3 units I would like to put  DCC decoders in.

I was looking around and money wise I may be ahead to pick up a Power Cab system, as it
would give me another hand held.
I have two Pro Cab hand helds now.
Tony's has a reasonably priced programming power booster., actually less thaan the Soundtraxx unit.
But a Power Cab system gives me what I need anyway for programming, and can serve also as the 3rd of 4 handheld
cabs

I'd actually like to have four hand helds on my layout.
It is 24 feet long, by 6 feet wide with a center backdrop on it,but then again, I may take the back drop out
My two outer loops are approx 35 and 33 inch radius at each end of the tables, so I can handle some big
steam engines, the two biggest units are a pair of  2-8-8-2 mallets
and do something different than I originally planned on.
I have two outer loops as my two main lines running the entire length of my tables.
I designed  it so it is made up of three 6 by 8 tables bolted together end to end.
The legs also bolt on and it is like a bed slat framework with two inch foam top. It can easily be dissasembled and moved in a few hours, and it fits easily up my basement stairs as three main pieces.
All three tables are liht enough in weight for two people to easily move up a staircase.
This was one of my deciding factors in using foam tops.

I do have room to add on, but this project is big enough to finish for now, before  I create more work than I can handle.
Right now I am pressed for room  to install my  Walthers 130 foot turntable I have plus a roundhouse.
If I add on another table, I can have these plus a nice staging and switching yard.
I have an idea, why don't I invite a bunch of you guys over to my house, and we will have "work party"
and I can pick everyone brain on how to finish this project? LOL! :)

My basement workshop shelves have more kits, track, roadbed and etc, than the local  hobby shop !
This doesn't include all of my RC airplane kits ( at least 30) that take up other shelf space!
I'm hoarding for retirement if that ever comes! LOL!

 

TheK4Kid

[rrinker]

 Well the standard IS to set them 3. But if it's not, Digitrax allows you to program to address 0 wich broadcasts to any loco on the track so you can set the address to a known value. Dunno which if any of the others can do that. I've actually never had a problem WRITING on the program track, even with older QSI decoders in BLI locos. The new aftermarket QSI decoders don;t have the current inrush problem of the QUantum OEM decoders. Digitrax and Loksound sound decoders also have no inrush problem. Only Soundtraxxx has decided not to design their circuit such that it has no inrush problem, preferring to make youbuy their program track booster. Sorry, no thanks - the others have proven you CAN make a souind decoder that doesn't constantly cut out yet doesn't need special programming attachments.

                                          --Randy

 

[TheK4Kid]

 Randy, Interestingly my J1 was set at 2 from the factory

I tried 3 and it just sat there. Set it at 2 and it took off!

 Go figure!

 

TheK4Kid