I have a problem. The problem is that I have a Broadway Limited 3751 4-8-4 Paragon series HO scale steam locomotive and when I try to read or write to it the PowerPax says there is a short, but when I put the loco on the main it runs fine and my Digitrax Zephyr DCS50 system says there is no short. So; does anyone have a solution to this problem?
Thanks!!!
I have a Broadway Limited Paragon 2 Series Reading 4-8-4. Using my MRC Prodigy Advanced (2) Squared. I can Read the Address on the Program Track using my Power Pax. It does not usually Read any thing on the first attempt though. Perhaps it is taking a few seconds for the sound capacitor to charge. After the first failure to Read, everything works O.K. on further Read attempts.
I was able to Program the Paragon 4-8-4 to the 4 Digit Road Number after a few attempts before I purchased the Power Pax.
Unable to program the Road Number or Read or Write any CVs on a new Bowser C-630 is the reason I purchased the PowerPax.
Yes I unplug it when it does that and no mater how many times I plug and unplug the power supply It still says there is a short.
Turn the smoke unit off by the switch. The smoke unit is on by default and will register as a short because it basically is a short. By turning it off by the switch you should be able to read and write with your PT booster.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
If you ever had the Power Pax connected to your track and applied track power at the same time, you have destroyed it. The instructions that come with the Power Pax warn very specifically that it can be immediately destroyed if track power is ever applied while it is connected.
After getting an NCE Power Pro system I have never needed the Power Pax.
I dunno, I can program anything on my Zephyr with no booster. Haven't tried a new Paragon II decoder, don;t have any. But the smoke definitely has to be turned off. My PR3 does handle the Paragon II just fine, I did a booming business setting addresses for fellow club members when the T-1's first came in (we ARE a Reading club after all).
You shouldn;t be getting track power into the PowerPax, the Zephyr has a dedicated program track connection do runnign track power should never get mixed up with programmign track power.
All else fails, Ops Mode ALWAYS works.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
cacole If you ever had the Power Pax connected to your track and applied track power at the same time, you have destroyed it. The instructions that come with the Power Pax warn very specifically that it can be immediately destroyed if track power is ever applied while it is connected. After getting an NCE Power Pro system I have never needed the Power Pax.
To clarify, you can destroy the Power Pax by connecting it to your main line track. The Power Pax is designed to be connected to the programming track. Here is the specific written warning included with the Power Pax:
WARNING: If the PowerPax output is energized inadvertently by contact to an external power source the unit will be DAMAGED. This can occur if a PowerPax assisted program track, even though isolated, makes connection to the mainline by dragging or running a loco across the gap ... the loco will transfer current from the mainline to the program track. You can prevent this by installing a dead unpowered section of track between the programming track and the mainline longer than your longest loco! Do not use a DPDT switch unless it has Center OFF.
Rich
Alton Junction
No I did not apply the track main power to it. The locomotive is a old paragon series not the new Paragon 2 series. Do you think I need a resistor to make it work?
Thanks for your help.
The older Paragon locos came with QSI decoders. Turning off verbal commands was a fix for the read back. I can't remember if it was CV62 or 64. This must be done on the mainline before the programing can be done.