Once again I come here to the Forum, hopefully for an answer; but also to "vent" - respectfully. First: Previous successful programming of decoders (from TCS) continue to bring much pleasure (only problem has to do with "operating" vs scenicking ). However, past experiences with programming decoders are hardly "painless"; have been successful only during/after communicating with "techies" at Digitrax or TCS.
I am using the Digitrax "Super EMPIRE BUILDER" with a DB150 command station and DT402 throttle.
Yesterday's attempt (following word-for-word instructions in manual's page 83/84) to program a decoder in an Atlas GP-7 resulted in two outcomes:
1. The loco suddenly "ran away" as though under full power; would only stop after shutting the system down. Fortunately, I had a block at the end of the programming track. But, the loco would not stop spinning its wheels.
2. The "Power" light on the DB150 began to blink rapidly - unlike the normal slow blink when first powered on.
So, whenever I try to "reprogram" or "reset to factory default", the "power" light blinks rapidly; only stops when I shut the system down. I am puzzled, to say the least; this is certainly NOT PAINLESS! Anyway, anybody ever have similar experiences? I hope to solve this via tele-conferencing with either/both tech people at Digitrax and TCS.
Thanks, guys
Your GP-7 "ran away" while it was on the programming track? I can not imagine what would cause this but I would inspect your wiring between the DB150 and the programming track. Are you sure it is isolated from the rest of the layout wiring?
Digitrax has a pretty extensive knowledge base here: http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/product/DB150/ See if you can narrow down the problem you are having and find a cure by checking out the information there.
Of the hundreds of engines I've had on my programming track all I ever notice is a quick blink of the headlight and maybe a brief nudge of the motor weather I'm using either DecoderPro or the Digitrax throttle for programming.
I'll be interested to see what others have to suggest here... Ed
DB150 doesn;t have a 'program track', the whole layout is the program track, or whatever is connected tot eh track outputs.
Now, what programming mode did you use? Po is ops mode and you cna typically do anything except change the current address (ie, if using a 4 digit address, you can;t se another 4 digit address, only a 2 didig address, and vice-versa). Track power remains on, program commands get sent to whatever loco address you have selected.
Pg and Pd are paged and direct programming on the programming track. On the DB150 this means broadcast programming, to any decoder sitting on track connected tot eh Rail A and Rail B terminals. Track power gets turned off when doing this, so when completed, you needs to hit the Power and then the Yes button to turn power back on.
Resetting a QSi is best accomplished witht he magnetic wand or jumper, whichever the partocular loco is equipped with. It seems to work more reliably on DC powered track, and you need to tip the loco off the rails to complete the reset. It's possible it got some odd programming if you were working with one of the indexed CVs and didn;t set the index values first, in other words, it ended up programming a different CV than you thought. A reset is definitely in order. If it doesn;t respond in DCC then about the only way you will be able to reset it is with DC powered track and the wand.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
As Randy mentioned, the DB150 does not have a dedicated programming track. It is very easy to get into programming track mode and send out changes to any locomotive on the layout if you are not careful! An engine taking off at full speed indicates that the decoder did see power on the rails, but no DCC Signal. Many times this is caused by loose wiring or rail joiners. I would consider two items you might want to invest in:
1 - An NCE Auto-SW - The power out of your DB150 feeds into this unit, and it feeds the main track and a dedicated programming track. If a 'service mode' command is sent out, it routes it to the dedicated program track. And yes, this NCE device will work with your Digitrax system.
2 - JMRI - This is a free download. You will need an old computer and a Loconet interface(either the Digitrax PR3 or the RRCircuits Locobuffer USB work fine). This allows you to program CV's on your engines with simple drop down screens. And you can 'save' your roster info, so if there is a problem, you can reload the decoder from your saved roster info. Trying to remember what you did, and documenting it is very tiring; and a false press of the button on a throttle can destroy all of you work.
As I mentioned, an old Windows computer(like my old 600 mHz/1/2 GB of RAM 'clunker)' powered the club layout for a number of years - it was 'slow' but it always worked. We now have a 1.6 Ghz/2 GB of RAM machine that is used for the club railroad - , it has Win XP and works just fine. You can buy a new Windows machine for around $300 if you so desire, but JMRI does not have a lot of system requirements.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I also use the SEB with the vaunted old DB150. It's track outputs are full power...always. It HAS NO "programming track" terminals or output posts on its little plug insert module on which the wire inserting holes are found. When you programme a decoder using the DB150, in other words, you get different modes, but no reduced programming track voltage that you would get with other models of DCC systems.
You must programme your Address first to get the decoder off the "03" address and able to respond to all other programming instructions for the other CV's you want to change using OPS MODE.
So, you enter programming, and the first mode flashing on your DT400 is "PG", which is paged mode. That's GOOD. Use that one preferentially to change your address...the first thing you should do as a policy.
The throttle display has "Ad2" flashing on the left. If the cab number of the locomotive is higher than 126, and you wish to programme the decoder with the cab number, you must click the right side encoder to get the flashing text to read "Ad4". Then, you use the right side encoder to dial up to the correct digits, and hit enter.
The DB150 will beep and the throttle display will offer you to set the extended address with "Y?" or something like that...I'm doing this at my computer and don't have my throttle handy. You press the "Y" key at the top of the throttle and the track power will go off. No blinking red LED on the face of the DB150. It's a nice automatic feature to finish programming the decoder that so many people miss...just ask Randy, who has to remind people to do this about six times a year.
Exit programming mode, dial in the new address, and give it some throttle. Your engine should now respond to the new address. From there, always carefully press the programming button and watch for Ops, or PO to show up on the fourth press. From that mode you can change CV2 if your engine is slow to move, and all the other CV's. My first action is to halve the Master Volume CV value from it's default value of "Flippin' ridiculous."
Why is your locomotive running away at high speed? It is doing this because you are missing the step of selecting the correct/best value for your DCC system and decoder in CV29 which controls the long address. If you don't click the "Y?" prompt, your long address won't be enabled, and you probably realize this. However, you must manually set the value, in Ops Mode, to a value of 34 to disable the decoder's ability to interpret its track signal/voltage as being pure DC voltage. When it does this, it runs away at the voltage it senses, which in a DCC system in HO setting is near 15 volts. Zowweeee....we're off to the races from a dead start!
Good luck.
-Crandell