My only experience is with the Super Empire Builder, but the Digitrax instructions suggest that only address changes should be done using Paged Mode, and I would think all decoders might do better on a programming track or in Paged on the Main (Digitrax) for address changes and CV29 quickly added for long addresses...at least, that is what I do. But, once the address and CV29 configuration are done, it goes on the main for Ops Mode/Programming on the Main for all other changes...and they TAKE! I have found Tsunamis to be the most resistant to changes with some CVs. But, once I alter a CV's value on the Main with the DB150, there's no hesitancy.
Crandell
Thanks again all,
Looks like I'm back up and running again and got the changes implemented.
Obviously I'm not a DCC/Electronics/Programming "techie". Still, it seems like there are just way too many choices out there for the casual user. I guess it reinforces what I've said since I converted over to DCC three years ago............... "DCC can be as simple or as complicated as you wish it to be".
Ha, it would be so simple if I was just content with only changing loco I.D. codes........................
Thanks again!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
If you're using a long address (> 127), with DC on, CV29 is probably 38. Make it 34 to turn off DC.
http://www.2mm.org.uk/articles/cv29%20calculator.htm
Save this, handy calculator for CV17 and 18 and also CV29.
The only Digitrax system that seems to have issues with programming is the SUper CHief/DCS100 system. The DB150 in a Super EMpire Builder has no problems programming anything, but that's partly because it doesn't have a low power program track. It also can't read back. My Zephyr has never had a problem, and I don;t even use Blast Mode.
AT the same time. my PR3 ALSO reads and writes Tsunamis and others in standalone mode - using the supplied PS14 power supply, I never bothered to get a higher voltage one. It's always just worked. Other people say they can't get it to work until they move to an 18V power supply. I was even able to get JMRI to read an 'unreadable' MRC decoder - although it wasn't painless. I had to read individual CVs on each page, if I tries to read a full page at a time it timed out.
For most things like sound levels and CV2/6/5 settings, I almsot ALWAYS do that in Ops Mode anyway, so I can get instant feedback of the change, rather than program, move loco to main, move back to program track, etc. Ops Mode is perfectly safe, it only sends program commands to the addressed loco, so if you select 103 and 607 is also on the rails, only 103 will be programmed. Don't sweat it. You can't read back, but for doing these sort of things it's not exactly critical.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
What does one enter in CV29 to turn it off?
Also while you're at it set CV29 to turn off DC operation. That item if left on will sometimes cause a runaway loco.
Springfield PA
Well, the problem(s) are resolved!
Apparently the way to program Tsunamis is using the OPs programming. I was able to change the speed functions of the B units, and the sound levels as well. Actually, it was easier doing these in OPs programming as opposed to the BLIs QSI decoders on the programming track.
Now I've also learned another thing.............. In this Stewart consist, the A units have NCE decoders, and the B units have motor/sound Tsunami decoders. So when programming, one needs to do them separately.
THANKS ALL for your help! Without you guys I'd probably have given up on trains years ago.
YIKES, thanks for the correction!
I just got the Digitrax manual and was fixin to read up on it. Hopefully I would have caught the error in my assumption, but I wouldn't bet on it. THANK YOU !!!!
mobilman44 Folks, I have never used operations programming. I assume that means using the OPs mode, and having the programming wires hook directly to a layout track. AND, I assume that means that no other locos should be on those tracks as well - or they will get affect too. Is that correct?
Folks,
I have never used operations programming. I assume that means using the OPs mode, and having the programming wires hook directly to a layout track. AND, I assume that means that no other locos should be on those tracks as well - or they will get affect too.
Is that correct?
No. The programming outputs and the track outputs should NEVER be connected to the same track.
OPS mode programming is a command station mode that sends the programming commands out through the track outputs instead of (or maybe as well as - I've never checked) the programming track outputs.
So you'd leave your programming and track outputs connected separately, and just put the loco on the main track instead of the programming track to program it in Ops mode.
BTW, I should mention that I use a Digitrax PR3 with an 18v power supply in stand-alone programming mode to program my Tsunami's, as well as my QSI's, my Soundtraxx LC's, and of course my Digitrax sound decoders. Works perfectly every time...
BTW, I still have a runaway B unit. It will power on as normal, but when I turn the throttle to speed step 1 it takes off full blast. Turning the throttle back to zero worked a couple times, but I also had to cut the power to stop the loco.
My sanity is waning......................
It always puzzled me as to why Zephyr users rarely have issues with programming Tsunami and other sound decoders when other Digitrax users do. Both Randy and I are Z users BTW. So I asked Digitrax about this. The DCS100 and the DB150, the brains of the Chief and the Super Empire Builder are quite a bit older than the Zephyr having been introduced in around 2000. The Z came later. The Z program circuit is a more modern design and has more oomph as a result. Furthermore there was the one time secret blast mode available. I am not sure it the Xtra versions of the command stations have changed, but I don't think so as they are still using the same basic unit as the brains. It is remarkable how long system like these and the NCE Powerhouse have actually been on the market!
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Hi once again,
Well, things have gone from bad to worse.............. After doing more to try to resolve the bell problem, I found that when put on the layout one of the B units goes "full blast" on speed step ONE. The other unit goes from stop to fast equally thruout the speed range. I attempted to reprogram CV2, and my efforts didn't work.
Sooooo, I shut down the power, did the "duck under", and shut the door behind me.
How in the world can I be so successful in programming BLI locos with QSI, and such a failure working with Tsunamis???????
mobilman44 Hi, To add more info.......... I'm using a 5 amp Digitrax Super Chief, with a second 5 amp booster. I suspect I'm doing some steps out of order or missing something......................
Hi,
To add more info.......... I'm using a 5 amp Digitrax Super Chief, with a second 5 amp booster.
I suspect I'm doing some steps out of order or missing something......................
Just because you have a five amp system with a five amp booster does nothing for the programing track, only the the track the trains run on get that kind of power. As others suggested use OPS mode programing, if you do not have a program track booster.
And if you do buy one I would recomend the Soundtrax PTB100. I tried the POWERPAX one and it does not perform as well as the Soundtrax one. Ecspecially for reading back CV's. They both cost about the same so why not get the one that will work better. That is my thought on that.
Then again "rrinker" (Randy) programs his with out any boosters and his Digitrax system, maybe he will reply to this this post. He is pretty sharp with Digitrax.
Truck.
I suggest you make your changes using Ops mode programming. Using Ops mode avoids any problems with the reduced power of the programming track. You also do not have to move back and forth between the layout and the program track to test your changes. In fact, many decoders will accept Ops mode programming changes immediately even while the loco is running.
With a Tsunami, I always power down the program track, I,e, lift the loco off the track, and power back up.
Some with the issue with the Tsunami clip a 1 k resistor across the rails.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
If you are using a Chief or Empire Builder then in all likelihood the program track is not giving enough oomph for the Tsunami. Look at this http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/powerpax.htm I have never had a scrap of a problem programming sound decoders with my Zephyr, but I know it can be an issue with some of the other systems.
You can also try programming on the main.
After successfully changing all the sound CVs on a number of BLI QSI equipped locos, I've come to a stumbling block on two Tsunamis that I bought for Stewart FTs. These are powere/sound chassis.
I downloaded the manual, detached these B units from their NCE decoder equipped A units, and put them on the isolated programing track. Using the Digitrax DT400 controllers, I changed it to Pd (direct) programming mode and did the following:
- changed CV 129 to "250" value (range of 0-255) to increase the airhorn
- changed CV 130 to "50" value to lower the bell sound.
- changed CV 128 to "150" to lower the overall sounds.
All changes were met with a "good" on the controller after input. So then I exited programming, put the B units on the layout, and found that nothing changed - the bell is still obnoxiously LOUD, and the horns are just OK. Overall sound is OK as well.
I then went back and forth and attempted various degrees of change, etc. - with no alteration to the sound whatsoever. I also tried Pg programming as well, and that didn't work either.
Given there are two identical units with the same "no results", I am obviously doing something wrong - or omitting a step or ???
Please, can anyone shed some light the situation? My ears are still ringing from those bells..............
Thank you!