Not on the Zephyr, or other Digitrax command stations besides the now discontinued DB150. The program track is a limited power outputstrictly for programming - and it's a good way to test a decoder with less chance of frying it if you miswire it. The same is true of the full size NCE sets too. Programming on the main gets you full DCC power to program the loco, but there is no reading of CV values, you cna only set them. For many things - who cares? You're changing the CV because the current value is not somethign that suits you. Especially somethign like volume. Just keep writing higher values until it is as loud as you want it (or smaller values if it's already too loud).
The whole reason things like the PTB-100 and Powerpax exist is because the progrm track has limited current output and on some sound decoders and locos with keep alives, it's not enough to actually program the decoder.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
The advantage of a programming track is that all the power goes to the loco that is being programmed, instead of half a dozen sound locos sucking up power all over the layout. I use a short piece of track, and a double pole, double throw switch, to throw the whole output power to the programing track. I have had few problems doing it this way.
Well he never did say he DIDN'T have a program track. But for something like volume - Ops mode on the main lets you hear the results immediately, no moving the loco between the main and the program track and back.
I'm just an NCE guy at the end of the bar. Is there a reason why no one suggests the OP just hook up a programming track?
CV 63 is the master volume, it is not hard to change just because it is an ESU decoder. Nor do you need a Lokprogramer to do it.
Individual sounds make use of indexed CV's. You have to change CV 32 (the index) to a specified number to access CV's in the 200-400 range. I wouldn't dive into that if you are having trouble changing CV 63
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Somewhere in their instructions they have the steps needed for systems that can;t access high numbered CVs.
Page is somewhat old, Phys is a REALLY old programming method, don;t even both with that one. Dir is mostly what you want. Ops means programming on the main, you cannot read back. But Ops will program just about anything. Skip the step of hitting the CV RD button in Ops, it will never work. Just conitnue on and select the CV you want, and then the value you want. Only the loco with the address you have selected ont he throttle will get programmed. So select the loco and verify you have control of it, then go to Ops Mode and set the volume CV.
In general, sound decoders can be harder to program because...well, not sure exactly, but I think it has to do with them drawing more power than regular decoders. I find sometimes in page mode I can program CVs, but can't read them back so it can be a bit hit-and-miss. There are programming track boosters that can help, but even with them reading CVs isn't guaranteed.
ESU (Electronic Solutions Ulm, located in Ulm Germany) Loksound decoders can be difficult because they have so many options built into them. For some CVs you have to put a number into one CV first, to open up access to the CV you want to program. Using Decoder Pro in a PC hooked up to a programming track can help, but I've found even that doesn't always work. ESU has their own programming software you can buy, that's probably the only sure way to program their sound decoders.
Hi Everybody,
I have an Intermountain SD40-2W that is DCC w/ sound, the manual says it’s an ECS LokSound decoder. I’ve had this engine for a period of time, and I’ve always found it very quiet compared to my other sound engines. I decided to try and program the volume tonight, and I was having some trouble.
My system is a DigitraX DCS 50, and the decoder manual says the CV I have to program for general volume is CV63. However, I am new to this whole programming thing and haven’t figured out how to decide which programming mode to use.
When I try to program in PAGE or PHYS, I get a message reading “D nA” (which I don’t know what that means). When I try to program in OPS or dir, the decoder ”clicks” for a little bit before reading “d nr“ (I’m assuming decoder not Responding). I try to write a value to the decoder, and I get no response.
Can anyone give me some insight, or at least point me in the right direction? Again, I’m very new to this, and some guidance would be greatly appreciated!