Programing DCC loco

[dadret]

I'm trying to program my new Proto 2000 2-8-4 Berkshire with DCC and sound using my MRC Prodigy Advance and have run into a new problem.  Programing on the main track I follow the MRC instructons and put in a new address (1235) and I get a verbal readout back "CV18=1235" which is what should happen.  But when I enter the 1235 address the loco will not respond-it will only respond to the default 03 address.  The loco works fine using the default address.  I have reset all the CVs to factory settings using the reed switch but I still get the same thing.  I've programmed several locos this way but this is the first time this has ever happened.  I'll contact MRC and Walthers but thought I might get an answer here faster.  Any ideas?  (Note: 1235 is the loco Number)

[tstage]

I'm trying to program my new Proto 2000 2-8-4 Berkshire with DCC and sound using my MRC Prodigy Advance and have run into a new problem.  Programing on the main track I follow the MRC instructons and put in a new address (1235) and I get a verbal readout back "CV18=1235" which is what should happen.  But when I enter the 1235 address the loco will not respond-it will only respond to the default 03 address.  The loco works fine using the default address.  I have reset all the CVs to factory settings using the reed switch but I still get the same thing.  I've programmed several locos this way but this is the first time this has ever happened.  I'll contact MRC and Walthers but thought I might get an answer here faster.  Any ideas?  (Note: 1235 is the loco Number)

David,

I would encourage you to start using a separate programming track to initially program your locomotive addresses.  It's not so much a problem with locomotives that already come with the decoder installed from the factory - e.g. like your Berkshire.  However, if you install (or plan on installing) decoders yourself, it's a good safety net for keeping your decoder from accidentally getting fried, if you somehow wire it incorrectly.

Tom

[dadret]

I have a seperate Programming track but most of the time locos with the Quantum System can't be programmed there because they require more current to operate than standard decoders (I'm not smart - thats from page 17 of the Loco Operations Manual)  I had already tried programming on the program track and it didn't work.  I guess I could invest in a power booster for the program track someday.

[selector]

I don't want to step on anybody's toes since I am one of the great unwashed DCC-wise, but QSI decoders do well with on the main programming in Ops mode with my Digitrax Super Empire Builder.  Have you tried Ops mode with your MRC, and made sure only the one loco is on the track for safety?  Another thing to try is to mute the sound so that the decoder doesn't have to do its initial current suck.  You can mute it with F8 through the 03 address since it is responding to that.

Finally, if David's suggestions don't seem to work, try programming CV29 to 38.  I do that to all of mine, and then dial in the new address....they come to life as soon as they get the new extended address enabled via CV29.

Sometimes it is good medicine to do a reset before you try new steps just so that you are not peeing into the wind with a cross decoder that is getting more and more scrambled.

[Gandy Dancer]

try programming CV29 to 38.  I do that to all of mine, and then dial in the new address....they come to life as soon as they get the new extended address enabled via CV29.

I think that will be the ticket in this case.  You have to tell the decoder it is now supposed to have a 4 digit address.

[jalajoie]

I always follows davidmbedard method when programming a QSI sound decoder.

Jack W.

[dadret]

Thanks for the help-got it working right now.

[MisterBeasley]

Thanks for the help-got it working right now.

For reference, was it the CV 29 thing that did the trick?

[jktrains]

You can program in a new long address into the decoder, but you still need to activate the long address or in other words you need to tell the decoder which address, long or short, it it needs to use when looking for commands. CV29 does this.

jktrains

[joe-daddy]

As others have suggested  you have options:

 

1 - Program on the main which can be tricky

2 - Power booster for your program track

3 - My Lenz will program QSI just fine if you use a resistor to keep the current overload from tripping on QSI and Soundtrax

Joe 

[dadret]

I think the problem was that Prodigy is supposed to automatically change C29 to accept a four digit address, and it has always done this on other engines I have, but it did not, and will not, on this particular loco for some reason.  I'm far from a DCC expert but I know enough about electronics to know they don't always do what they are supposed to do.  I actually programmed it using a two digit address and it works like it should.  Since I'm still a DCC rookie I'm not yet real comfortable changing CV values (I think the part in the manual that says don't screw around with C29 unless you know what your're doing intimidates me a little).  I got a procedure from Walthers on how to program the loco (and its basically the same as what was suggested here, just a little more detailed).  As soon as I get a Program Track Booster I will do it.

[Anonymous]

Maybe they need to print a special set of instructions for me in Cartoon Form... these numbers and values strain my coffeepot in the morning.

If my Cheif and DT400 prompts me for Enabling after a Ad4=???? entry I dont need to worry about any CV's like 29 etc right?

[selector]

To be perfectly honest, and I hope this doesn't invite a flood of anti-Digitrax gloating, I have not been able to get good results with that DT400 prompt.  When I press Y+, the loco address adds one to its value, which is anything but intuitive.  So, I get around it by (this is with a DB150, recall) pressing enter to get the DB150 to beep and shut down track power.  This is automatic, and I have to restore track power with the Y+.  Then, with a now silent QSI decoder sitting in front of me, even thought the power is on, I do nothing but re-enter programming, but Ops mode this time, and acquire CV29.  I programme 38 to it, and immediately the QSI comes to life with sounds.  On the odd chance it is still silent, dialing in its new address and clicking the encoder always, but always, brings it to life. 

I have become distrustful of the enable adress prompt.

[jalajoie]

Maybe they need to print a special set of instructions for me in Cartoon Form... these numbers and values strain my coffeepot in the morning.

If my Cheif and DT400 prompts me for Enabling after a Ad4=???? entry I dont need to worry about any CV's like 29 etc right?

Yes it works with every non sound decoders.

Will not work with QSI sound, after setting the 4 digits address you always have to set CV29 manually, even with booster or resistance on the programming track.

Every time I have to program a sound decoder 4 digits address, I alway program CV17 CV18 and CV29 manually, easy fast and foolproof.

Jack W.

[Anonymous]

To be perfectly honest, and I hope this doesn't invite a flood of anti-Digitrax gloating, I have not been able to get good results with that DT400 prompt.  When I press Y+, the loco address adds one to its value, which is anything but intuitive.  So, I get around it by (this is with a DB150, recall) pressing enter to get the DB150 to beep and shut down track power.  This is automatic, and I have to restore track power with the Y+.  Then, with a now silent QSI decoder sitting in front of me, even thought the power is on, I do nothing but re-enter programming, but Ops mode this time, and acquire CV29.  I programme 38 to it, and immediately the QSI comes to life with sounds.  On the odd chance it is still silent, dialing in its new address and clicking the encoder always, but always, brings it to life. 

I have become distrustful of the enable adress prompt.

Hm.

I will keep the Cv 29 = 38 in mind if there is a problem with the DCS 200.

Where does the CV 17 and CV 18 come from and why should I think about those?

[jalajoie]

Where does the CV 17 and CV 18 come from and why should I think about those?

Normally you don't have to worry with CV17 and CV18, brute force programming of these CV may be handy when programming a long (4 digits) address with stubborn sound decoders.

Address are store in the decoders in the following manner:

CV1 store the short (2 digits) address.

CV17 store the high byte of the long (4 digits) address.

CV18 store the low byte of the long (4 digits) address.

CV29 among other things tell the decoder which of the short or long address to use.

Here are two links that may be helpfull.

http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/cv29-lookup.htm

http://ruppweb.dyndns.org/xray/comp/decoder.htm

Jack W.