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re-programming a loco

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Posted by DigitalGriffin on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 3:15 PM

Put it on the programming track

Read CV 8

Take this # and match it up to Manufacturer ID chart here:

 

http://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/appendix_a2c_s-9.2.2.pdf

 

Go to MFG website and look up their decoders manual.

Decoder Reset procedure is generally the same for all model decoders from 1 manufacturer.

 

 

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

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Posted by tstage on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 3:00 PM

You can use either CV8=8 or CV30=2 to reset a TCS decoder.  Here's a handy link for the manufacturer's decoder resets from Tony's Train Exchange:

How To Rescue a Faulty Decoder

Even gives you the manufacturer ID number.

Tom

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Posted by wblock on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 9:17 AM
I have't looked inside, but it says factory installed TCS DCC
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Posted by wjstix on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 9:07 AM

It wouldn't hurt to take the body shell off and see what kind of decoder it has. Different decoders have different ways to be re-set etc.

BTW, just a dumb question, but...are you sure it has a decoder in it? Kato engines normally come "DCC Ready", at least all the ones I have came that way. I had to add a decoder to it.

Stix
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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 7:14 AM

One reason that I prefer the Programming Track is that NCE systems (Power Cab and Pro Cab) only read back CV values on the Programming Track, but not on the Main. You can write CV values on the Main, but you cannot read CV values.

Rich

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Posted by Guy Papillon on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 7:03 AM

Having a separate programming track is a good practice with the NCE Power Cab. However, you can temporarily use your "main" track as a programming track MAKING SURE THAT NO OTHER LOCOMOTIVES ARE SITTING ON THE TRACK.

Guy

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 5:32 AM

wblock

It's a Kato, non-sound. I do not have a programming track, only the main. I simply tried to select the loco by entering its road number before programming and expected it to run. Not very smart. Now if I try to program it properly, nothing happens. I made sure no other locos are on the layout anywhere.

 

Kato doesn't manufacturer its own decoders, so you need to do some further reasearch.

My first piece of advice is to set up a programming track, as recommended in the Power Cab manual.  Simply wiring the Power Cab to your layout is not advisable because problems such as the one you are experiencing can and do occur.

Once the programming track is set up, check the Manufacturer ID by reading the value in CV8 and the manufacturer version number by reading the value in CV7. That will tell you which decoder is installed in your locomotive.

Next, you can reset the decoder to factory values in one of two ways, depending upon the decoder manufacturer, either CV8=8 or CV30=2, or both.

Finally, you can program a unique cab number in your decoder.....on the programming track.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by hon30critter on Monday, November 9, 2015 9:58 PM

wblock:

Did you set the PowerCab to address '3' or '003'? Selecting the default locomotive address on the PowerCab can be a bit confusing because if you select address '003', which is how the default address reads on the display, you have actually selected a long address, not the default. Just input '3' for the default address. No zeros.

Dave

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Posted by richg1998 on Monday, November 9, 2015 9:37 PM

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.

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Posted by richg1998 on Monday, November 9, 2015 9:08 PM

Please read the manual. When you select programming option with the Power Cab, the track becomes the programming track automatically. That is why a few have re-programmed all their locos at one time. Yes it has happened.

Some with the power cab and a few engines set a section of track for programming separate from the layout. A complete isolated section of track or a siding that can be isolated by a switch.

Rich

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Posted by Jacktal on Monday, November 9, 2015 8:52 PM

Dialing a wrong adress shouldn't change any setting at all,simply dial 03 and the loco should run like nothing happened given this is a brand new decoder equipped loco.

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Posted by tstage on Monday, November 9, 2015 8:49 PM

The fact that you intially tried operating your locomotive using it's road number before programming it shouldn't make any difference at all.  It will only operate on address "3" until you program it properly to another address.

Try resetting your decoder in programming track mode by changing CV8 to "8" and pressing ENTER.  That's the most common reset sequence.  Your locomotive should then operate again on address "3".  If that doesn't work then there are a couple of other ones to try.

Also, it's always wise to initially program your decoders using programming track mode vs Programming On the Main (POM) mode.  You'll be less likely to fry a decoder is there is a problem with the wiring.

Tom

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Posted by wblock on Monday, November 9, 2015 8:30 PM

It's a Kato, non-sound. I do not have a programming track, only the main. I simply tried to select the loco by entering its road number before programming and expected it to run. Not very smart. Now if I try to program it properly, nothing happens. I made sure no other locos are on the layout anywhere.

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Posted by richg1998 on Monday, November 9, 2015 7:35 PM

I have the Power cab. Issues like this, on the programming track, I select CV8, enter 8. Cycle power off and back on. Loco then runs on 3.

I then go through the programming sequence in the manual. There you will see the code that tells you what brand of decoder.

Rich

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Posted by Mark R. on Monday, November 9, 2015 7:26 PM

You're going to have to elaborate a bit more than that.

What brand of engine ? Sound or non-sound ? 

All decoders come from the factory with an address - usually the default address of 03. What EXACTLY did you do that you think caused it to not run ?

Mark.

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re-programming a loco
Posted by wblock on Monday, November 9, 2015 7:12 PM

  I made a really stupid mistake and took a new loco and simply treated it as though it already had an address. I guess I was to anxious to get it going. Now it doesn't run at all. Is there a way I can start over and do it properly? I have an NCE Powrecab system, but I have no idea what brand the decoder is.

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