Hello everybody,
first and foremost: I'm kind of a noob when it comes to DCC systems, I have previously successfuly programmed roadnumbers into locomotives and also changed CV values for sound, acceleration and so on but that's about it.
Now I'm having a problem with my BLI Heavy Mikado
https://www.broadway-limited.com/5546usraheavymikadoatsf3275paragon3sounddcdccho.aspx
I was running it the other day with everything being fine until the locomotive just kept running and wouldn't react to any commands anymore so I manually took it off of the tracks so it wouldn't reach the edge of my layout and fall to the floor.
Now the locomotive won't react at all, neither does the sound or the light go on anymore. I also put it on the program track to try a factoy reset (CV8 to 8 with BLI) or programm a new number into it, but my throttle keeps saying: No Ak, which would mean "no acknowledgement".
I'm using a Digitrax DCS210 with a DT500 throttle.
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
to the forum. Your posts are delayed while you are in moderation.
We've seen newer newbies than you. You have an informative title and a succinct post. I'm guessing other locos still run normally.
Not a digitraxx guy but it sounds like you did what needed to be done.
BLI has their fans here and they praise their customer service.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I would reset the decoder and see what happens.
Simon
Try the rest on the main.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
For future reference, the DT throttles have two ways to cut track power, even for runaway locomotives. The emergency switch will stop locomotives by removing power to the rails, but so will pressing the "PWR" button followed by "N" at the top. If you do the latter, you need do nothing except to fix the fault if it's a rail problem or obstruction, and then press "Y" to restore power once again.
I wonder if there's a connection defect at a wire or a pin, or maybe a loose fit in a socket if it isn't hard-wired. Sounds unlikely, but...
If you acquire Add "00", whether on Paged or Ops modes, and do the CV8 change reset, you should get your decoder back on Add "03" unless it's defective.
" If you acquire Add "00", whether on Paged or Ops modes, and do the CV8 change reset, you should get your decoder back on Add "03" unless it's defective. "
DO NOT EVER DO THIS IN OPS AS YOU WILL REPROGRAM ALL ENGINES THAT ARE ON CURRENTLY ON YOUR LAYOUT. "00" is a broadcast address.
You don't specify an address when using PAGE mode, unless you want to program that address to the decoder.
Agreed. Don't programme a decoder in Paged Mode unless all other decoders are not receiving power and signal from the same system doing the programming, and don't use "00" in Ops Mode unless all other decoders are not receiving power and signal from the same system doing the programming.
Paged Mode is a program track mode. With anything but a DB150, this won't affect anything on the main. There is no address to acquire in Paged Mode.
But if the loco will not reset on the program track, yoou CAN remove all other locos, acquire address 00, and do Ops Mode - it can't read, but you don't need to read to do the reset. You do however need to kill the track power or at least tip the loco off the rails for the reset to work.
Address 00 using Ops Mode programming WILL program all decoders on the main track.
It's possible the decoder is "locked". Setting CV8 = 8 will re-set the decoder unless the decoder is locked. Setting CV8 = 254 will re-set the decoder, even if it's locked.
Also make sure the number the engine was running under didn't get used at some point as a trailing unit in a consist.
wjstix It's possible the decoder is "locked". Setting CV8 = 8 will re-set the decoder unless the decoder is locked. Setting CV8 = 254 will re-set the decoder, even if it's locked. Also make sure the number the engine was running under didn't get used at some point as a trailing unit in a consist.
I did that and it worked! At least partially.
I was able to reset the decoder setting CV8 to 254, this time it said "good". I then put the locomotive back on track and was fully able to control it (driving forward and backward, light, sound and so) on the default number 3.
I then set the locomotive back to the programming track and tried programming its number back to 3275 (which is the correct number for the locomotive) but then again my digitrax display said "No Ak".
Any clue on how to fix this?
Thanks and cheers from Switzerland
Clean the program track and wheels, make sure you have fairly beefy wires from the program track terminals to the program track, and turn off the smoke unit. They USED to have a little slide switch either in the smokebox or under the cab that truly turns off the smoke unit - it draws a lot of power and can interfere with the programming.
Which Digitrax system do you have?
You can also program it on the main, if it is running on address 3, you cna indicidually use programming on the main to set CV17 and CV18, and then CV29. Calculators to tell you what values to use are here:
https://www.digitrax.com/support/cv/calculators/
Are you directly changing the ID CVs? Not sure about the Digitrax DCS210, but I know on my Digitrax Zephyr I can just put the engine on the programming track and select reading the four digit address, which on a new engine would come up "0003". I can then put in the new number and save it. It will automatically put the correct numbers into the ID CVs, and even adjust CV29 if it's set to not allow extended addresses.
Maybe re-set it all again, then try just changing to the last two digits of the engine's road no. and see if that works?
I'm using a Digitrax DCS210 with a DT500 hand throttle.
The locomotive doesn't have a smokebox at all due to the small smokestack.
I set it directly on track and tried putting in a new number, I also tried changing CVs but whatever I try to program into it it says "No-D". Whenever I try to change any setting while on the programming track it says "no ak".
Lukas ATSFI then set the locomotive back to the programming track and tried programming its number back to 3275 (which is the correct number for the locomotive) but then again my digitrax display said "No Ak".
Isn't that the code for crummy data transfer across the connection, which would indicate crud on the programming track or wheels, or a poor data-frequency connection between the track and the 'computer'?
Perhaps checking the program track with a logic probe instead of a multimeter?
Yes, the command station isn't seeing the decoder's pulse.
The instruction manual seems to indicate there is a smoke switch on the bottom of the loco, near the cab.
What program mode are you using? If usif DIrect (Pd), try Paged (Pg) or vice-versa. Or just get it back to default address 3 and then program on the main using the calculators to set CV17, 18, and 29.
Hey, I like happy endings. Thanks for the update.