Which DCC system is the best?

[Aikidomaster]

I did not mean literally "say". What I meant was that the throttle that I was using to program the locomotive would print on the LED read out that the command had been accepted. It has been a few months since I have tried programing, so I do not remember the exact "word" that was used.

My thought is to try it again. Step by step and comment on the Forum what I have done and whether or not that particular step was successful. Then, folks such as yourself could help me correct what I might have done wrong. This type of thread would be very helpful to me.

Again, thank you.

[simon1966]

Yes, Craig, do that.

Make sure we know what throttle you are using?   Probably a DT400, but we should not assume that.  Also what the locomotive/decoder is that you are trying to program? and exactly what it is you are trying to program.   There are enough Digitrax users here, and plenty with the Super Empire Builder to be of assistance.    One short coming of the SEB is that it does not have CV read back so it is not so easy to confirm that a program step has been achieved.

[Comrad_Durandal]

While we're keen on helping you - you might find more real-time conversation with an expert more helpful and less frustrating - hence the suggestion that you call DigiTrax with the decoder manuals handy.

[wjstix]

Keep in mind some decoders have the ability to be "locked" by the user, so you (or anyone else) cannot make changes until it is unlocked. It could be you have decoders that have been locked in the past. Might be if the decoders / engines have been sitting for a couple of years that could affect their ability to be programmed.

Anyway I would suggest you look at buying a Digitrax PR3, hooking it up to a programming track and to your computer, and then doing the free download from the web of JMRI Decoder Pro. I didn't have much trouble programming decoders with my Digitrax Zephyr, but I've recently started using Decoder Pro and it makes it a lot easier especially with sound decoders where there are many options. It kinda takes the decoder info and translates it into plain English. If your system doesn't read back CVs I would think it would especially helpful.

http://www.digitrax.com/prd_compint_pr3.php

http://jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/html/apps/DecoderPro/index.shtml

You hit "read sheet" to read the current settings on the decoder. Then you go in and make the changes you want, and hit "write sheet" to program the changes:

[Lake]

Craig, you may already know these things so if so just ignore them. Are you pushing the Y button after entering the four digit engine number when it asks you to before hitting exit?  Many people forget to do this step when programming in a 4 digit engine number.                                                      I have even done it and wondered why the address did not take.

Also try doing a factory reset if you are having problems. Then reprogram the CV's.

As far as the power districts and reverse loops, I just followed the instructions in the manual that came with my Digitrax PM-42. It was way more soldering then I ever wanted to do though. I had to read the instruction over and over many times to get it correct for what I wanted, but it all worked out.

Other brands have screws to attach the wires, but I did not learn this until I had already started on the PM-42.

I just took it one step at a time until I figured it out. If I had a way of having a computer in the train room I would use JMRI as it and many other after market items will interface with Digitrax. I bought Digitrax for that reason. And I am very

 

[Aikidomaster]

Well, I do not think that is the locomotives. They are Broadway Limited N&W Class A and Class J's. I suspect that it is more of a procedural issue. Believe it or not, I have a learning disability. I am dyslexic. For me, it is more than just reversing numbers. I am a great oral and physical learner but not so good with reading. After I have done some task or heard about some subject in a lecture, I get a lot out of books, journals, etc. But, I have no such aids in my neck of the woods.

I am going to add the PM42's to my layout in the next couple of weeks. As a matter of fact, I have built a new shelf under the layout for all of the DCC equipment including programer/booster and power supply. I am going to be extra careful with each step to make certain that my setup is not the problem. From there, I will try programing again.

And no, I don't have to worry about the bills. I hold black belt rank in Tae Kwon Do, Nihon Goshin Aikido, and American Freestyle karate. I have been a martial artist since 1972. I am tempted to use those skills on the Digitrax system (once in a while).

[galaxy]

While I admit I cannot help with your Digitrax system, You have titled this "what DCC system is best"" a topic that DOES get beaten to death. Perhaps a better title would have been "help me program my Digitrax" instead as THAT seems to be the gist of you thread.

I try my best to treat each "beaten" post gently as I realize the question asked is very important to anyone asking it and is new to them.

Your title leaves it open for anyone to specify "their system is best". You will get as many answers as there are systems available. It's a bit like asking "which is the best car to buy?".

In answer to your title question, though, I have to say if you 18 locos or less, perhaps the Bachmann EZ Command with 5 amp booster is for you. YOu CAN program 2 locos at one 2 digit address, AS LONG as you are NTO running them at the same time. # 10 on the EZ C can run a DC loco, and turns into a function key for lighting. It is SIMPLE to use and program with 2 digit addressess.

It does have drawbacks, if you want to play with your sound effects etc, it won't do that. If you want to program by your 4 digit loco's number for an address it won't do that. It works fine for me for now. and I would recommend it. I also know CudaKen here has expressed dissatisfaction with him more expensive DCC COntroller that burned out, but fortunately he had hs EZ C to fall back on to run some trains.

I have printed little "roof stickers" witht eh 2 digit address on it and attached to the roof of the loco, so I can find it by written description on the controller listing, or by looking at the top of hte loco in question. I can imagine that prototypes MIGHT do a roof painitng of a loco's number on its roof so as to be read from the tower top, or "from the sky".

I DO hope to upgreade in the future to perhaps the DIgitrax Zephyr Xtra with 3 amps, and if I ever get a house where i can have a larger layout than my small one now, I will get a booster to go with it. However, I have read enough posts and threads liek yours where people have had trouble with ANY system.

{I am also dyslexic, so if my words are  not "right" to the rest of the world, they may look  "right" to me.}

[rrinker]

 Keep in mind, the Super Empire Builder cannot 'say' anything - it has no CV readback and cannot tell you the value of any CV. It's plug and pray that the decoder accepts the value. The throttle will always say OK, but that is NOT a confirmation that the decoder settings changed, only that teh command was accepted by the system.

 Since the Super EMpire Builder puts full power on the track for programming, there usually isn;t a problem with sound locos. These aren't Broadway Blue Line locos, are they?

When you click the knob and the display changes to AD4= and you enter the desired address, after you hit Enter it then prompts you with AD4=y? You ne3ed to press the Y/+ key to acknowledge you want to change to 4 digit addressing. You don;t have all day to do this, there is a timeout. Also, there is no harm in pressing Y more than once.

 If this still does not work (and after programmign nearly all my locos with this method, not even bothering with JMRI for a simple address change, it shouldn;t be a problem), the alternative is calculating the values for CV17, CV18, and CV29 and programming those individually. A suitable calculator is here: http://www.2mm.org.uk/articles/cv29%20calculator.htm

 Program CV17, then CV18, then finally CV29 based on values from the calculator. Turn track power back on and try the new address.

                                  --Randy

 

[Aikidomaster]

Comrad,

I tried contacting Digitrax by phone 4 times and never got through. So, I gave up. I am moving my power pack, boosters, and district managers to a more central location and easier access. So, with that in mind, I am going to go step by step through the manual (AGAIN) with the new setup. I plan to start a new posting on Model Railroader Forum. I will ask my fellow modelers to help me with any problems that I have along the way. Hopefully, this will work out better.

[Aikidomaster]

Simon1966,

I am using the DT440 throttle for programing. By the way, the Broadway Limited locomotives are NOT the Blueline ones but rather those equipped with sound.

[rrinker]

 We've programmed those just fine on the club system, which is a DB150 and a DT400 hooked to a short section of track (no one is allowed to program with the system that runs the actual layout - which is a DCS100 plus 3 DB150's). So the exact same setup you've tried with hooking up a short section of track to the track conections, independent of the layout. I KNOW this works fine with the built-in handling of CV29, because not everyone at the club knows anything about DCC and they've been able to set their addresses. No one is running their Paragon 2 steam locos around on address 3. The only one we had poroblems with at the last show turned out to be an MRC decoder, but with some workarounds I was at least able to get some stuff set on my programming system which is a PR3 and my laptop with JMRI. The MRC decders generally do not read back even on a system that can do readback (again, the Super EMpire Builder/DB150 cannot read - the PR3 can), yet if I read only 1 CV at a time is seemed to work. WIth JMRI, usually you cna put a loco on the program track and there's an option to read every CV int he decoder to store a baseline config - the didn't work with the MRC decoder.

 When did you call Digitrax? Hopefully not just the other week when everyone was away at the NMRA convention/National Train Show.

 But try just the basics. 2 wires to a short piece of track, big enough to hold the loco. Pres the Prog button until you see Pg in the bottom middle of the display. Turn the left know counterclockwise until you see AD2=???. Click the right knob so it says AD4=???. Key in the address you want. Press the Enter key. The display will come back to Ad4On?=y. Press the Y/+ key. It should come back to Ad4On?=y. Press Y/+ again for good measure, then press the Exit key. Press Power then Y/+ to turn the track power back on. Select the address and your loco should operate.

 

                                --Randy

 

[richhotrain]

davidmbedard

Akido, If I give you my phone number, I can talk you through a programming.  If you are interested, just shoot me a PM.  I wouldnt do this for just anyone.

David B

David, at this point, aren't you kinda just beating a dead horse?  

Wow, I am feeling the love here.  Let's hope Akido takes you up on your generous offer.

Hey, why don't you just post your phone number here so any of us can call you whenever we feel the need?  

Rich

 

[Hamltnblue]

Wait until Akido gets the international Phone call bill

He'll learn that David's love for him is expensive.

[hectorgonzales]

davidmbedard

Akido, If I give you my phone number, I can talk you through a programming.  If you are interested, just shoot me a PM.  I wouldnt do this for just anyone.

David B

David please check your PM from me. Thank you.