Zephyr problem

[Blind Bruce]

I had my Zephyr packed away for almost a year and now it has a strange problem.

I only have an oval right now with no gaps and feeders every three feet or so. The Zep powers up with "loco" and my BLI diesel switcher begins to run and the sound is on. But I have not even entered the address yet. I entered the correct address but it has the same symtoms, no control, no bell or horn, it just runs very slowly and has the generator whine.

I tried other locos with the same result although the BLI is the only one that actually moves.

Any suggestions? Can the command station be "reset"?

BB 

[Don Gibson]

SOUNDS LIKE your DCC receiving modules are not programed. What has changed?

You need to hear from somebody that shares your DCC system.

[CAZEPHYR]

I had my Zephyr packed away for almost a year and now it has a strange problem.

I only have an oval right now with no gaps and feeders every three feet or so. The Zep powers up with "loco" and my BLI diesel switcher begins to run and the sound is on. But I have not even entered the address yet. I entered the correct address but it has the same symtoms, no control, no bell or horn, it just runs very slowly and has the generator whine.

I tried other locos with the same result although the BLI is the only one that actually moves.

Any suggestions? Can the command station be "reset"?

BB 

 

If the LOCO is spelled out in the window, select the correct address for the model and press the loco button.  That engine should not be controllable.

 

[Hoople]

I had my Zephyr packed away for almost a year and now it has a strange problem.

I only have an oval right now with no gaps and feeders every three feet or so. The Zep powers up with "loco" and my BLI diesel switcher begins to run and the sound is on. But I have not even entered the address yet. I entered the correct address but it has the same symtoms, no control, no bell or horn, it just runs very slowly and has the generator whine.

I tried other locos with the same result although the BLI is the only one that actually moves.

Any suggestions? Can the command station be "reset"?

BB 

[Blind Bruce]

While I was waiting for a reply, the Zep was powered off but not unplugged. When the power button was pressed,The BLI started to move right away. I pressed loco and the correct address blinked. I pressed "exit" and the engine was controllable. I then stopped it and put in reverse and the engine would no longer respond.

Still wondering what to do.

BB 

[Trekkie]

This is a guess, nothing experience behind it.

I would try and re-program one of your locos, or maybe reset the decoder & reset the zephyr to defaults. Maybe something that is stored in the items over the last year of not use got corrupted in memory due to lack of power applied to refresh it.

[wjstix]

While I was waiting for a reply, the Zep was powered off but not unplugged. When the power button was pressed,The BLI started to move right away. I pressed loco and the correct address blinked. I pressed "exit" and the engine was controllable. I then stopped it and put in reverse and the engine would no longer respond.

Still wondering what to do.

BB 

I think you shouldn't have pressed "exit". 

I suspect what happened is the loco was running the last time you used the Zephyr, it hadn't been brought to a stop. When you powered up, it started running as per it's last instructions.

When you pressed LOCO (above) and the engine number started flashing, that means that number was the last one you used on the Zephyr...essentially it's asking you if you want to run that loco no. again, or want to input another ID.  If you press LOCO again while it's flashing the engine no., it will stop flashing and you will have acquired that engine, you should then be able to control it. 

Otherwise, while it's flashing, try putting the loco no. in again and then hit LOCO again. If that doesn't work, put the loco on the programming track and make sure you have the right ID no. for it. 

[BRVRR]

Bruce,

Stix has the right idea. When you pushed "Exit" you dispatched the loco.

Every once in awhile I experience the same problem with my Zephyr when the grandson just turns off the power to everything without bringing all of the throttles to stop.

BLI locos are touchy! I have a couple that had to be reset because of turning the power on and off too quickly. Before going to that extreme, put your loco on the programing track, push the program button until you see "page" in the window. Push "Loco" until you get 2 or 4 digit in the window. This depends on the number you are using for the address. Push the "read key", the key with the + sign. The Zephyr should tell you the address. With some BLI locos you might have to do this a couple of times to get a reading. Don't forget to "Exit" the programming mode.

If the address matches. Be sure you have the right throttle selected, Main (Zephyr), or one of the 'jump  ports' they sometimes confuse the issue. Put the loco on the track and try again. Push "Loco" type in the address you want and push "Loco" again. The address should remain in the window. Advance the throttle and see how it goes. If all of this doesn't work, I would suggest resetting the Loco. If none of your locos are responding, reset the Zephyr and try again.

Good luck!

[Blind Bruce]

Is there a procedure for resetting the Zep by itself?

[Stevert]

Is there a procedure for resetting the Zep by itself?

Yes.  Set OpSw 39 to "c".  See section 28.0 on page 46 of your manual for details.

 

Steve 

[rrinker]

 Steps to reset: Press PROG. Press SWITCH. Key in 39. Press C. Unplug the power cord and wait a few seconds, then plug it back in. All reset.

When selecting a loco, press LOCO, key in the number, press LOCO (witht he speed knob at stop, you don't want any surprises). When done running, make sure the loco is stopped and press LOCO then press EXIT.

 

                            --Randy