That's why I use JMRI for all my decoder programming.
It puts everything, for all decoders, into plain language*, sets all the indexed CV's when necessary, and does all the calculations for me. I just click off the options I want, tell JMRI to write it to the decoder, and save a copy for future reference or later resets/reprogramming.
*Plain language, not just plain English. I am aware of at least Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, Czech, and Catalan translations built into JMRI.
Maybe I should have worded it differently .... both Digi-Trax and TCS decoders will work and program just fine, it's the manuals that are a huge difference. TCS's manual is written in plain English that is easy to understand, while Digi-Trax manuals can be rather hard to decipher at times if you want to program something more complex .... especially if you are new to them.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
In my fleet I have both TCS and Digitrax decoders. They both work fine.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
DH123D or DH126D if you don't want BEMF.
DH163D or DH166D if you do want BEMF.
And Digitrax decoders aren't "harder to program" than any others. You put them on the programming track (or use OPS mode if you prefer) and set the CV's just like you would with any other brand.
The Athearn RTR SD40-2 has a 'quick plug' setup. The older ones had a 9 pin 'JST' connector on the open end with a 8 pin NMRA setup on the eng that plugs into the light board.. Some of the newer ones have the 8 pin end hard wired to the light board. Any standard 9 pin JST decoder should be able to plug into the loose end. Note that many wired decoders have a 9 pin JST just under the end of the shrink wrap. Unplug the Wired JST from the decoder, unplug the shorting plug from the end of the Athearn jST and plug the two together -done. Many TCS/Digitrax/NCE decodershave the JST , even if they are wired.
Here is a link to an install of a TCS M1 decoder in your engine:
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Athearn/SD40-2/SD40-2.html
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Ok I'll go with Mark...thank you for the info.
Willy6:
Mark knows what he is talking about.
Personally, I'd follow his advice because he is up to date on DCC. He has helped me a lot, as well as many other forum members.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
For starters (light them torches !) I wouldn't get a Digi-Trax decoder. Get yourself a TCS T1 decoder. It will plug right into the 9-pin socket. Much easier to program with straight-forward instructions.
I have an Athearn RTR SD40-2 with the "DCC Quick-Plug Equipped". I went on Digitrax's website to find a decoder and they list a bunch for this locomotive which was confusing to my DCC novice experience. I just want a basic non-sound easy to install Digitrax decoder...any suggestions would be appreciated.