My test programming QSI with Digitrax Zephyr

[rrinker]

I say QSI because the loco in question was an Atlas Trainmaster. But it's the same QSI hardware found in BL locos as well as the P2K sound units.

First, I have BEEN adjusting the settings on this and other QSI locos with Ops Mode programming with zero problems (first thing out of the box - TURN DOWN THE VOLUME! [:D]). Tonight I was running the Trainmaster and decided to try for myself regular programming on the programming track.
So I pulled my train to a stop. Turned off the headlight. Hit F8 to mute the sound. Picked up the loco, and put it on my programming track. Switched to Direct Mode programming - and had absolutely NO trouble reading and writing any CV I wanted. It worked fine! I do NOT have a PowerPax or any other sort of boosted programming track, the wires run right from the back of my Zephyr to the track.
The keys I think are runnign the loco first - this charges the capacitors that cause the trouble. And mute the sound, no sense in having the sound system try to fire up while on the programming track.
Again I stand by my contention that, with Digitrax at least, the PowerPax is NOT required.

--Randy

[jwr_1986]

You say you used direct mode programming (Not paged like normal)? You may definately be right about the capacitors. The zephyr is actually capable of programming QSI decoders in paged mode without the powerpax by switching OPSw 7 to closed (It changes it to broadcast mode like the DB series boosters have). The Empire builder can without a problem. As for the chief I don't know. My info on the zephyr comes from Loy's Toys.

Jesse

[AntonioFP45]

Thanks for your input. Very helpful for DCC newbies like me.

10-4![;)]

[dacort]

I have a Chief and have programmed my BLI ATSF 4-8-4 with no problems on the programming track in paged mode and in ops mode on the main. The only thing I couldn't seem to do in ops mode was set the address. I don't have a PowerPax or anything special on the programming track, just the two wires to the DCS100.

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jwr_1986

You say you used direct mode programming (Not paged like normal)? You may definately be right about the capacitors. The zephyr is actually capable of programming QSI decoders in paged mode without the powerpax by switching OPSw 7 to closed (It changes it to broadcast mode like the DB series boosters have). The Empire builder can without a problem. As for the chief I don't know. My info on the zephyr comes from Loy's Toys.

Jesse

I did not have to change OpSw 7 - and I would be careful about doing so. Simply because of what it does. If you don't take all other locos off the track when you do that, they too will be programmed. Even if the program track won't work, Ops Mode on a Zephyr or DCS100 works just fine - it has full power at that point too, and it's directed programming, not broadcast.
FWIW, my programming track consists of two sections of Atlas Code 100 track joined in the middle with a terminal joiner (a homemade pair - section of #20 wire soldered to two joiners), about 4 feet of #20 wire, and then connected to the Zephyr. The permanent siding I will use onthe real layout as a programmign track, with a toggle to select between programmign and running, I haven't installed yet, but as that will be part of the permanent wiring it will have a section of #1 wire running from the Zephyr to the toggle switch.
I will give it another try and see if Paged mode works - I was able to read all the CV's with DeocderPro using Paged, so I syspect I can program CVs as well.

--Randy

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dacort

I have a Chief and have programmed my BLI ATSF 4-8-4 with no problems on the programming track in paged mode and in ops mode on the main. The only thing I couldn't seem to do in ops mode was set the address. I don't have a PowerPax or anything special on the programming track, just the two wires to the DCS100.

If you don't have it, go to the BLI or QSI site and get the FULL Quantum DCC manual. Over 140 pages. In there it shows how to use indexed CVs to program the address in Ops mode. Originally, that's how I did everything, because of all the "you can't do that, it doesn't work" postings in various DCC groups - plus the fact that it's more effective to change the volume in Ops Mode when it's actually making the sounds. The Atlas is the first one I changed address in Ops Mode, because in THEIR version of the manual they hav a page detailign EXACTLY what CVs to program to set the address, and they actually LIST all the addresses - cab numbers for all the numbered versions of the Trainmaster. So i didn't even have to bust out a calculator to do it.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dacort

I have a Chief and have programmed my BLI ATSF 4-8-4 with no problems on the programming track in paged mode and in ops mode on the main. The only thing I couldn't seem to do in ops mode was set the address. I don't have a PowerPax or anything special on the programming track, just the two wires to the DCS100.

The three BLI 4-8-4's that I have all came with instructions on a 5" X 5" card on how to change the addess. I followed their instructions, in OPS mode on the main, and the address were changed with no problem.

Quoted from the instructions
1) set CV 49 to 129
2) set CV 50 to 17
3) set CV 56 to 206
4) set CV 50 to 18
5) set CV 56 to 167 for 3751; 168 for 3752; 169 for 3753 and so on up to 178 for 3762
6) change CV 29 to 34 to allow operation with your new extended address.

This worked for all three of my BLI's, I don't know about the Proto's and Atlas locos.

Bob

[rrinker]

Yeah that'll work on all the QSI decoders. The GG1 and M1A I have didn't have a card like that, the Atlas is the first one that spelled out the procedure in the manual, although it is also in the full Quantum DCC manual.

--Randy