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Digitrax and InterMountian Programing Help Needed

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  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 20, 2012 5:12 AM

Duane,

Before you do anything else, reset the decoder to factory defaults and do it on the main line, not the programming track, because the programming track is probably not receiving enough power to read the decoder.

Rich

Alton Junction

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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Sunday, August 19, 2012 5:52 PM

 Follow Simon's instructions for Blast Mode, then instead of trying to program the address or anything, set CV30=2. Keep Blast Mode turned out, but tip the loco or just lift it off the track. It should now be reset to factory defaults with the address at 3. Now proceed to program the desired address.

                          --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 89 posts
Posted by damigg on Sunday, August 19, 2012 5:30 PM

Thank You Simon

The link is great and I printed it out. But alas I still have dead locomotive.

But I promise I will get this figured out and I know it will be something simple.

I am just disappointed on how difficult I have made this and that I am bombarding all of you with these sill questions.

Later

Duane

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Metro East St. Louis
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Posted by simon1966 on Sunday, August 19, 2012 4:32 PM

http://ikm.digitrax.com/questions/1452/DCS51+%28Zephyr+Xtra%29+Operating+Cheat+Sheets

Read these.   It means that somehow with all the key pounding you have assigned the loco to another throttle, who knows maybe the jump throttle. 

It is asking you if you want to Steal control.  Hit the Loco key to say yes.

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

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Posted by damigg on Sunday, August 19, 2012 4:23 PM

Now i get StLo flashing .  I am getting close to giving up and going to tharapy. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Metro East St. Louis
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Posted by simon1966 on Sunday, August 19, 2012 3:52 PM

A quick search of the Digitrax web site support section produces this

 

 

Programming Soundtraxx Tsunami Decoders with Digitrax Zephyr
Article Details

Last Updated 17th of May, 2012

 

Zephyr Xtra (DCS51) and Zephyr (DCS50) systems can program Soundtraxx Tsunami decoders using Blast Mode Programming on the Mainline.  Blast Programming will program EVERYTHING sitting on the main line track so, you MUST remove everything from the track that you are not programming or use an isolated programming track.

You will not be able to read back CVs using Blast Mode Programming

To use Blast Mode Programming with Zephyr, close Option Switch 7.

1. Press the "PROG" key.

2. Press the "SWCH" key.

3. Press "7".

4. Press the "c" key (located just below the "9" key).

5. Press the "EXIT" key.

6. Program the Tsunami decoder using Direct (dir) mode.  Be sure that ONLY the loco with the Tsunami decoder is on the track during programming!!

When you are finished programming, you must reset Option Switch 7 to "t" to disable Blast Mode Programming as follows:

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

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Posted by damigg on Sunday, August 19, 2012 3:23 PM

Now it just says Busy

  • Member since
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  • From: City of Québec,Canada
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Posted by Jacktal on Sunday, August 19, 2012 3:09 PM

You may have mistyped a number and given it some weird adress that you can't read so you're lost.Connect your test track to your A & B track leads to make it a temporary main.Then set your command station to "ops" mode.If "ops" mode doesn't see the decoder,you can toggle between three other modes til you get one that works.Then give CV8 a value of 8...it should reset the loco to original settings.

Then give CV29 a value of 34,then,as said earlier,CV17=222 and CV18=44.It should then respond to the desired adress.

  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, August 19, 2012 2:24 PM

damigg

I have lost all function to the locomotive. All I have is engine sound. no other functions work. No forword no reverse, bell, horn, lights nothing works. I think I just screwed up bad.

Nah, you probably need to reset the decoder to factory defaults and then start over. 

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    May 2012
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Posted by damigg on Sunday, August 19, 2012 2:17 PM

I have lost all function to the locomotive. All I have is engine sound. no other functions work. No forword no reverse, bell, horn, lights nothing works. I think I just screwed up bad.

  • Member since
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  • From: City of Québec,Canada
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Posted by Jacktal on Sunday, August 19, 2012 1:26 PM

And if this still doesn't work,unplug your prog. track from the prog. terminals and connect it to the A & B terminals and use "OPS" mode.The prog. track terminals may still not have enough power,your main track leads should.

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  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
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Posted by JoeinPA on Sunday, August 19, 2012 1:10 PM

jalajoie

damigg

I did the what the manual instructed but it wouldn't take.

Try programming a value of 34 into CV29.

If this doesn't work program the following  CV17=222, CV18=44, CV29=34

Damigg

Try the bolded procedure above using programming on the main.  Be sure to follow the order exactly.  This has worked for me with Tsunami  decoders. The Zephyr doesn't seem to like to program sound decoders on the program track.

Joe

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada
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Posted by jalajoie on Sunday, August 19, 2012 12:16 PM

If I am not mistaken this is a Soundtraxx sound decoder that is installed in your loco. These are not easily readable in a standard programming track. To do so you need a programming track booster or use the blast mode on your DCS51. However even with blast mode it may fail reading sometime due to poor electrical contact.

In your case don't waste anytime trying to read the decoder simply write the value without reading first and make sure your have good contact between your loco and the programming track..

Jack W.

  • Member since
    May 2012
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Posted by damigg on Sunday, August 19, 2012 11:58 AM

No matter what direction I go I get a flashing code[ d nr ]

Is there anyone in the Des Moines , Iowa area that could show me hands on just what is going on?

You all are giving me great pointers and direction i am thinking maybe hands on would be good too.

Thanks

Duane

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada
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Posted by jalajoie on Sunday, August 19, 2012 11:15 AM

damigg

I did the what the manual instructed but it wouldn't take.

Try programming a value of 34 into CV29.

If this doesn't work program the following  CV17=222, CV18=44, CV29=34

Jack W.

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 89 posts
Posted by damigg on Sunday, August 19, 2012 11:03 AM

I did the what the manual instructed but it wouldn't take.

  • Member since
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  • From: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
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Posted by CNR378 on Sunday, August 19, 2012 10:58 AM
Phoebe Vet

CNR378
The proceedure is really simple.

Press 'Prog' button lower left corner.

Press 'LOCO' button until it displays AD4

Enter 4 digit address - 7724

Press CV-WR button.

Being a sound decoder you may have trouble reading the decoder but that should really affect a write. If it does you may want to get a 'programming track booster' such as a Soundtraxx PTB-100 or try the Zephyr in Blast Mode. Peter

I was concerned that the extra numbers from numbering the steps might confuse him.

And I'm confused because this new forum format didn't format my message as I made it. Peter
  • Member since
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  • From: Charlotte, NC
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Posted by Phoebe Vet on Sunday, August 19, 2012 10:24 AM

CNR378
The proceedure is really simple.

Press 'Prog' button lower left corner.

Press 'LOCO' button until it displays AD4

Enter 4 digit address - 7724

Press CV-WR button.

Being a sound decoder you may have trouble reading the decoder but that should really affect a write. If it does you may want to get a 'programming track booster' such as a Soundtraxx PTB-100 or try the Zephyr in Blast Mode. Peter

I was concerned that the extra numbers from numbering the steps might confuse him.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

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Posted by maxman on Sunday, August 19, 2012 10:23 AM

damigg
But really could not find anything that pertained to my make and model. So it is still set to address  03 .

Maybe I'm mistaken, but were you under the impression that you needed instructions specific to either the Digitrax decoder or the Intermountain loco to change the long address?  If so, that's not the case.  The instructions in your DCC system operator's manual should apply without regard for the decoder or the loco manufacturer.

  • Member since
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  • From: Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada
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Posted by jalajoie on Sunday, August 19, 2012 9:29 AM

I hate to say this but the instructions you were looking for could be found easily on pages 21 to 24 of the manual.

 

Jack W.

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
  • 252 posts
Posted by CNR378 on Sunday, August 19, 2012 8:33 AM
The proceedure is really simple. 1. press 'Prog' button lower left corner. 2. Press 'LOCO' button until it displays AD4 3. Enter 4 digit address - 7724 4. Press CV-WR button. Being a sound decoder you may have trouble reading the decoder but that should really affect a write. If it does you may want to get a 'programming track booster' such as a Soundtraxx PTB-100 or try the Zephyr in Blast Mode. Peter
  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 89 posts
Digitrax and InterMountian Programing Help Needed
Posted by damigg on Sunday, August 19, 2012 6:31 AM

I am really really new to this so please bare with me.

One of the first things I did when I decided to recently get into Model Railroading was to build a program track. I did this for sort of a practice run an roadbed ballast and track. Now that I am to the point of my layout construction of laying roadbed then soon track I decided to get a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra and an InterMountian ES44DC BNSF locomotive with sound.

I have been all over the internet trying to get some sort of instructions on how to change the address from 03 to the number on the locomotive (7724). I looked at and tried to follow the directions of some how to instructions. But really could not find anything that pertained to my make and model. So it is still set to address  03.

Sorry for the NooB questions but I really want to learn this.

Thank you So Much For Your Help

Duane

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