Programing on the main line?

[Anonymous]

[?]Please helpI just bought two broadway switchers and a sd-40 also broadway too.I have a digatrax zepher and I can't program on the programing track.Could somebody help walk me through the steps to program a 4 number adress into the train

[jrbernier]

Why can you not program on the 'programming track'? That said, if you are going to program engine numbers on the mainline, make sure no other engines are on the track - you are 'broadcasting' to all decoders with that address and they will all be programmed to the same address! The Zephyr manual show how to program the addesses........

Jim Bernier

[Anonymous]

There is probably a yahoo group on line for your DCC system. That may be a good place to post this question. I don't have any BLI locos, but I have heard that many (or perhaps most) DCC systems have some problems programming them. I understand that there are some quick fixes such as a resistor of a specified value in series with the programming track, etc. See if there is a Digitrax Yahoo Group and go from there. Good luck.

[johncolley]

My understanding is that with the QSI sound system draw there is not enough voltage on the programming track. Programming on the main should be straightforward if you have the BLI manual for your engine(s). I have a pair of E-7's and I have gotten everything down but the consisting, so I call them both the lead number and have the second one running reverse with the bell silenced, because they will get out of sync. The two horns are a nice effect, though, so I kept that on in the second unit . Another thing I did was download the FREE "mobile decoder manual" from Digitrax. It explains all the CV's. A great service to us all, thanks Digitrax!

[ClinchValleySD40]

Lack of power on the programming track was a problem I had trying to program sound locos. i got one of those program track power boosters and it works like a champ now.

[DigitalGriffin]

i don't think programming the address on the main is supported. You'll have to use the program track. Sorry Brian.

On a side note: I have two QSI systems, and 2 soundtraxx. Both program fine on the Lenz LZV100 program track output. I don't see why people have so many problems with this....but then again, I may have gotten lucky.

[rrinker]

I replied to your original post on the subject with some instructions.

--Randy

[Fergmiester]

If this works like the Empire builder then you will have to scroll through the "Prog" (program) menu. When the "Pg" comes up, you're in the right set up. Now should be able to program your Loco just make sure no others Locos are on the tracks.

[rrinker]

Nope, Zephyr works like the Chief, dedicated programming track, or true Ops-Mode programming on the main - it will ONLY program the addressed loco on the main, not any and all locos left sitting there (although there have been reports that it WILL boradcast program if you select address 00 and program to that - since 00 is a broadcast address, also used by Digitrax for the analog loco).

--Randy

[rexhea]

To Program a four digit address using DT400 Throttle
Loco on programming track
Push program button for Pg (Page mode)
Select first CV (ad2=???)
Click (DT400) right throttle once for 4 digit address (ad4==???)
Enter address.
Hit Enter
exit

REX

[jwr_1986]

Our club uses a zephyr and I was able to program a DH123 decoder in ops mode to a differant address. It depends on how the decoder is set up. If you do go that route be safe and isolate the locomotive, nothing should happen to any others but why take the chance. As for programming BLI locomotive on the programming track you will need an add on part called the powerpaxx by DCC Specialties. Loystoys has it for $50 at http://www.loystoys.com/dcc-specialties/dcs-pax.html It provides the voltage required to allow programming a BLI locomotive. The reasons BLI's are such a problem is because they can work on DC. In order to pull it off they use huge capacitors. These capacitors suck up the tiny bit of voltage applied during prograimming before it can reach the decoder. If you have multiple BLI units and you start up the system with them all on the same power section the high in-rush current (Fancy name for dead short) caused by the capacitors charging will often cause the system to go into short protection and shut down. Hope this has helped.

Jesse

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rexhea

Programming a Loco's address can only be done on the programming track.
All other programming can be done on the mainline using Ops mode programming.

To Program a four digit address
Loco on programming track
Push program button for Pg (Page mode)
Select first CV (add???)
Click (DT400) right throttle once for 4 digit address
Enter address.
Hit Enter
exit

REX

NOT true for QSI sound decoders.. There is a set of offset mapping CV's that allow you to program CV's 17 and 18 on the main, indirectly. See my original reply to the first time Barent posted this question, or the QSI full manual.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

I have programed the four digit address into a BLI on the main in OPS mode programing. I've had no trouble programing any of the CV's in OPS mode.

Why buy that booster when you can do it in OPS mode on the main?

Bob

[jwr_1986]

Loys Toy's page about that booster mentions that the Zephyr can be set up to temporarily program like it has that booster on it. I can't find any reference to that in the manual but I'll call them and find out.

Jesse

[jwr_1986]

I just got off the phone with Loy and as always he was very friendly and extremely helpful. He said to get the zephyr to program in what is called blast mode you must set OpSw 7 to the closed position. Then after you are done you need to go back and set it to the thrown position.

Here are the instructions from the manual.

Changing DCS50 Option Switches

1. See the DCS50 Option Switch Table that follows to decide which option
switches you want to change.

2. Press the PROG key. The display shows the last decoder programming
mode used by the DCS50.

3. Press the SWITCH key. The display shows the last switch used by the
DCS50 and its commanded position.

4. Use the numeric keypad to enter the number of the Option Switch you want
to change.

5. Press the c/- or t/+ key to set the OpSw to the setting desired.

6. Press EXIT when finished. The DCS50 display will show -cS- to indicate
that you are running in command station mode or -br- to indicate that you
are running as a booster/throttle only.

So that little ttrick should save you $50. A big thank you to Loy of Loy's Toy's for his help in this matter. Hope this helps.

Jesse

[rexhea]

QUOTE: NOT true for QSI sound decoders.. There is a set of offset mapping CV's that allow you to program CV's 17 and 18 on the main, indirectly. See my original reply to the first time Barent posted this question, or the QSI full manual.

Randy
I stand corrected. I forgot about QSI's use of the CVs. I know better than to use absolutes. [:I]

Bob
Your right. You can program the QSI and other types addresses in Ops mode with the Chief and not affect the other locos. [:I]


After doing a bit more research, I see that there are many variables to this. The type of decoder itself and the type of system that is used for the programming. My post has been revised to show only the Chief, 4 digit, Page mode, DT400 throttle.

I should have stayed out of this one since I don't have a Zephyr.[(-D]
REX [:D]

[rrinker]

I'll squirrel that little bit away in case I ever need it in the future. A lot of people talk about how the Digitrax manuals are too complicated - I think they need to release a detailed TECHNICAL manual that explains little secrets like that. I'd pay extra for that kind of information.

Keep in mind that if you do do that, make sure ALL OTHER locos are off the track, because it WILL program them all. For QSI-equipped locos at least, it's not really necessary, you can alter the addresses via regular Ops Mode programming that WON'T change every other loco left on the track.

--Randy

[rexhea]

Randy,
I don't think the Digitrax manuals are too complicated, just badly written with a poor order of content. Like you, I wi***hey did have a more complete manual even if it was an optional purchase.

REX

[jwr_1986]

I'll definately agree with you guys on the manuals not including enough info. In this case that's a setting that if used incorrectly could have disasterous consequences for regular decoders but I shouldn't have had to dig to find it. maybe what we need is one of those books like brady and Nintendo power publish for video games but for digitrax equipment. A perfect example is OpSw 2 in the Cheif manual says not to change it. But if you are going to use a DCS 100 or 200 as a booster you have to. The big problem I see is that they use the set manuals for almost everything rather than publishing seperate manuals. The aforementioned problem with the super chief manual is most likely caused by them assuming that all you have is the starter set.

OK, I'm done venting. Anyway a great source of information on all things digitrax is the digitrax yahoo group. Sign up for it and you can get daily digests of the conversations in your e-mail. These guys (and gals) really know what they are talking about. If you own anything digitrax I would recommend joining that group. Do note though that alot of the stuff is way over my head and I read manuals like they are great literary works. Good luck.

Jesse

[rrinker]

Yup, already on there.

Well, OpSw 07 is listed in the back as one of those "DO NOT TOUCH" things. I'm curious as to what the other "DO NOT TOUCH" ones do. I'm sure most if it os related to factory testing or something, but you never know - just look, there's OsSw 07 that lets you change to do DB150-style broadcast programming.

The Zephyr manual is pretty good, but because they tried to keep it simple there's other things left out. Things a first timer doesn;t really need to know, but things that DO come in handy once you're beyod the basics. The newer version of the Super Chief manual isn't too bad, there's a simple quick start at the beginning which is plenty to get you connected to the track and running a train. The rest of it though is more a reference than an instruction manual, it just lists every feature and option of the throttle and command station, not much on how to use it.

--Randy