If you're sure there is no function assigned to turn the smoke on and off, just a physical switch to power the smoke unit, indeed this makes no sense. With a switch, it sounds like they just wired the smoke unit across the rails, via the switch. Therefore the DCC decoder should have nothing to do with this, certainly not an address change.
Are you saying that if you put it back to address 3, it smokes, but set to address 7 it does not? Are you setting it back to address 3 by doing a reset, or actually programming it to address 3? If it's from a reset - maybe the decoder IS involved in controlling the smoke unit.
Also - when you were trying to program it on your Digitrax system - did you turn off the smoke unit with that switch? Having that turned on will almost certainly make it not work on the program track.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Hello friends, I have solved the problem: My friend has a Lenz command station. With this we had changed the adress of the Climax. But now I have an interesting problem: The locomotive smoke with adress 3 but she doesn´t smoke with adress 7 . Wow. this is horrible for me !!! The engine has no function for the smoke , only a switch... it´s crazy !!!
Yes, Digitrax does support this. Make sure no other locos are on the rails. THIS IS IMPORTANT. Then dial up address 00 and use Ops Mode programming (Po on the display) to set CV8=8. Then tip the loco off the rails for a moment, or turn off track power and wait a few seconds and then turn it back on. The decoder should be reset to all factory settings and run as address 3.
Programming an unknown address on the main "might" work if you set the CV with the desired value of the address "0".
BUT be very sure there is nothing else on the rails. It will be programmed too because address 0 is like a broadcast call to all listeners.
Reinhard
Steffen,
I don't have Digitrax so I may not understand fully.
Are you saying you cannot read CVs on your program track because you do not have the program track booster (PTB-100)? If you can read CVs, read CV8 and see if you get the Soundtraxx manufacturer readout (for a Soundtraxx Tsunami (is that what yours has?) it is 141). If it will read CVs you know it is communicating, so you can reset the decoder to factory settings by writing CV8 = 8, then turning power off, then on. It should be back to original decoder settings, including address 3.
If you cannot read CVs and have to program on the main, you can try addressing the loco with any addresses that might have been used, and for each do a CV8 = 8 reset. If somehow the decoded got "locked" by changing certain CVs, I don't know how you can change that without writing the appropriate CVs. (I'm not familiar with that.)
Another option, if you have a hobby shop with program track nearby, perhaps they can help you out.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Hello friends, I have bought a Bachmann Climax(Large scale) with factory installed Soundtrax Sounddecoder. I will change the adress from 3 to 7. But it is horrible... I run with Digitrax and programm with JMRI. But now the locomitive has forgot his own adress... What can I do ? I haven´t a PTB-100, but this cant´t be the on only solution. Can everyone help?
Greetings from Germany, Steffen