Adding loco number as address on Atlas Quantum decoder

[Alanf]

I just bought an Atlas Gold machine with DCC sound and I can't get the address to change on my Prodigy Advance 2 program track. The instructions in the loco box mention to try on the main line if the program track doesn't work as the Quantum decoders with their sounds etc take extra charge to encode. The Prodigy instructions are rather sparse and I believe I should remove all other locos from the main before programming the address on this new unit, is this assumption correct?

[richg1998]

Always make sure there are no other locos on the track when programing. That is a well known issue.

I have a Atlas with factory QSI install and it works OK with my NCE Power Cab on the main or program track. I have not used your type of controller.

There is a suggestion around that some use. Put a 1000 ohm resistor across both rails if there is a programing issue with a DCC controller.

Rich

[jalajoie]

Most of the time, the problem with QSI decoders is that CV29 don't register the proper value to use 4 digits address. Simply program on the programming track a value of 34 or 38, your choice, into CV29.

[tstage]

One small reason why I'm glad I chose the NCE Power Cab.  I've never had issues programming addresses into sound decoders on the programming track.

Tom

[jalajoie]

I also have the same experience with my Power Cab, I think since the Power Cab  came to market after QSI sound decoders, NCE gave it more power to the program track output.

I have no problem writing any decoders on the program track of my Zephyr and can read any decoders with it using blast mode.

On a Super Chief system that was purchased in 1999 well before the advent of QSI decoders, we can read and write most brand of sound decoders. Only early QSI and some Soundtraxx need a booster to read them.

An Empire Builder will write anyhing.

[tstage]

[quote user="jalajoie"]I also have the same experience with my Power Cab, I think since the Power Cab came to market after QSI sound decoders, NCE gave it more power to the program track output./quote]

Jack,

That was my understanding, too, about the Power Cab.

Tom

[Truck]

I have the Pod. Adv. 2 also with a soundtraxx program track booster, it will not program the Quantum neither. If you read the insrtuctions that came with the loco it should have a special procedure section for programing short or extended address' it is a little more involved than just setting one cv. I did mine in OPS mode this way. I also notice when MRC gets involved everybody brags about what their systems can do and how great they are, and forget about how to help the guy out with his post. And Alanf if you can not figure it out I will try to post the instruction section of the manual I have.

                                                                  Truck

[rrinker]

 Simplest way - use Ops Mode. Select the loco and verify it is runnign on the default address. Make sure nothing ELSE is on the track that isusing the same address, or it too will be programmed. Use this calculator: http://www.2mm.org.uk/articles/cv29%20calculator.htm to get the required values for CV29, CV17, and CV18. Use Ops Mode (Program on Main) and set CV17, CV18, and finally CV29. The loco should stop responding. Select the new number and verify that it runs. There's nothign special about these decoders, they generally program easier than a Tsunami. There are two things that mess it up: having the verbal response turned on, which is fine for Ops Mode - it shoudl speak each CV as you set it in confirmation, but not so good on a progrma track. Second is the delay - most systems send the CV29 value before the QSI decoder can accept it. Even with verbal response off, there is a delay equal to the time it take it to speak the address before it will accept andother CV to be programmed. SO what usually happens is CV17 and 18 get set but CV29 doesn't even when you answer the correct prompts on the DCC throttle. So try that first - just program the proper value of CV29 - 17 and 18 may indeed be already set.

                                       --Randy

 

[ClinchValleySD40]

Yes, your assumption is correct.   If you are changing loco address on the main, be sure all other locos are off the track or they too will have the new address.

[Hamltnblue]

Best thing to do is visit their site and see what they suggest:

http://www.atlasrr.com/DCC/Special%20Procedure%20for%20Operations%20Mode%20Programming.pdf