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Discussion Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: kcstrains on February 03, 2017, 10:37:27 AM

Title: Programming Lockout
Post by: kcstrains on February 03, 2017, 10:37:27 AM
Guys, I think I screwed up.  I ran my Bachmann 4-4-0 on full DC before I was able to wire up my Digitrax DCC.  Once I did wire up my DCC, I could not obtain my locomotives address on my programming track.  I followed all the instructions in the manual including resetting to factory settings (CV 8) and unlocking the codes (CV 15 and 16), but nothing resolved the problem.  I tried "00" and "03" as an address and nothing.  Do you have any suggestions?  Is the decoder fried?  Thanks in advance for your help.  Phil
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: Ckrails on February 03, 2017, 12:01:33 PM
Just to clarify, you're sure your locomotive has a dual mode decoder, not just one of the DC boards that looks like a decoder?  I have a Spectrum 70-Tonner that has such a board and it threw me for a loop until I learned about what it was.
CK
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: kcstrains on February 03, 2017, 02:13:37 PM
Thanks for the responses.  It's a Baldwin 4-4-0 with DCC on board (Spectrum).  I had no issues on my previous layout.  Also, when I set CV8 to 008, I did recycle the power and there were no flashes.  Definitely not working on "03."  I definitely may remove the shell and check the connection, however, when the train is on a powered track, it definitely has sound like a locomotive at rest.
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: kcstrains on February 03, 2017, 03:01:18 PM
Richly,

Yes, it has sound, so I'm assuming the decoder is plugged in.  Phil
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: WoundedBear on February 03, 2017, 03:40:35 PM
Have a read through this thread for some Digitrax/Soundtraxx solutions. Sometimes a resistor is required, other times, like my layout, a booster is required. Do a forum search for Digitrax sountraxx tsunami programming and see what you find.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,31781.0.html (http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,31781.0.html)

Sid
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: kcstrains on February 03, 2017, 05:30:05 PM
Wounded Bear.  Thanks for the thread.  It enabled me to at least get back to "03" to run the locomotive.  That's progress.  However, I still can't program any of the CVs.  I tried resetting several times and inputting a new address, but to no avail.  I have another locomotive (an Intermountain F7) that is doing the same thing.  The common denominator is that they were both run on a DC-powered track.  I'm guessing this has something to do with the problem.  My other locomotives that didn't run on the DC-powered track are ok.  Phil
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: kcstrains on February 03, 2017, 06:10:50 PM
Another update.  If I program on the main line (no other locomotives on the track) in the operating mode, I can reset and I can assign an address.  However, when I go back to the programing track and try to display the address, it gives me either 0000 or 6282.  Remember, I don't have an issue with other locomotives where their programming addresses are fine.  This may have to do for now.  At least I can run the trains and assign them addresses.  Weird!!  Thanks for trying to help.  Phil
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: Len on February 03, 2017, 06:16:41 PM
Back when I was running my repair shop, it got to the point a soldered a 1k resistor to a piece of flex track mounted on a board specifically for using a Digitrax system to program Tsunami decoders.

Len
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: Hunt on February 03, 2017, 09:14:49 PM
Phil,
Running the Bachmann and the Intermountain factory equipped with SoundTraxx OEM sound decoder locomotives using DC  before DCC I do not think has anything to do with the problem you are having.

I may know what the problem is. But first I need to know what you have.

1) What is the Item number on the Bachmann 4-4-0 locomotive box label?
2) Are you using a Digitrax Zephyr DCS50 or Digitraz Zephyr Xtra DCS51 -- or what?
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: Nathan on February 03, 2017, 09:15:40 PM
Phil,

Does anyone near you have a different brand of DCC system you could try?  If someone has and NCE Power Cab that would be the one to try first.

Nathan
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: Hunt on February 03, 2017, 10:38:17 PM
Quote from: Nathan on February 03, 2017, 09:15:40 PM
Phil,

Does anyone near you have a different brand of DCC system you could try?  If someone has and NCE Power Cab that would be the one to try first.

Nathan
An aside - Nathan using another DCC system does not help identify what he needs to do to use the Digitrax system he has.
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: Len on February 03, 2017, 11:41:25 PM
If you're using a Digitrax Zephyr (DCS50 or 51) to program a Tsunami decoder this info from the Digitrax site may be useful:
http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB33/programming-soundtraxx-tsunami-decoders-with-digit/

I would suggest using a seperate piece of track connected to the A & B terminals for this operation.

Len
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: Hunt on February 04, 2017, 03:47:11 PM
Phil,
If you are using Digitrax Zephyr,  then using Digitrax suggested Blast Mode Programming, which Len brings up, is only part of the solution.




An aside regarding the use of 1000 Ohm resistor

1000 Ohm, ΒΌ Watt resistor across the programming track is required for CV read and programming  a Bachmann non-sound (Lenz based) decoder when using a Digitrax Zephyr(DCS50 or DCS51). The resistor is of no aid with programming any of the SoundTraxx OEM decoders made to date for Bachmann.

Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: kcstrains on February 06, 2017, 11:24:04 AM
Thanks for all the replies and offers of help.  Hunt, the item number for my Baldwin Modern 4-4-0 is 80126.  I use the Digitrax DCS 100.
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: WoundedBear on February 06, 2017, 11:28:10 AM
Quote from: Hunt on February 28, 2016, 04:16:46 PM
Quote from: Logger Mike on February 28, 2016, 03:56:03 PM

....does this failure to [write] the addresses have to do with the Tsunami Decoder? . . .

Yes --  the Digitrax DCS 100 requires a Programming Track Booster.

This is from the thread I said to look around in.

Sid
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: kcstrains on February 06, 2017, 12:07:20 PM
Sid, I did read this thread.  That's how I at least got the address changed.  However, the thread never finished about using the programming mode.  Do I really need a booster?  Phil
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: WoundedBear on February 06, 2017, 01:34:08 PM
In my opinion, yes, you need the booster. My Prodigy Advanced Squared couldn't do anything with the factory sound decoders either until I added the booster in to my programming track.

The booster has had no effect on any other sound decoder I have......they can all be programmed still. Only the factory Bmann sound decoders ever had issues.

Hunt says the DCS100 needs the booster. I trust his advice.

At some point you have to take a gamble.

Sid
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: Hunt on February 06, 2017, 02:41:27 PM
Phil,

The factory installed decoder in the Bachmann HO Baldwin Modern 4-4-0 is a decoder built by SoundTraxx using their Tsunami sound technology and Bachmann specifications.
(Do not confused with SoundTraxx aftermarket Tsunami, Tsunami2, Econami or SoundTraxx OEM Bachmann Sound Value.) 

You did not state which Digitrax throttle you are using, if your DCS100 firmware is current or if you are using any other equipped. Nevertheless, the Digitrax DCS100 no matter which throttle is used cannot reliably program Tsunami decoder using Programming Track (Service Mode).  Most of the time, you can program decoder address and other CVs using Ops Mode programming. Covered in Digitrax Tech Support Depot.

Using Programming Track requires a programming track booster. When using programming track best to use Direct (Pd) method. SoundTraxx recommends using their PTB-100 Programming Track Booster with Digitrax DCS100. Instead of a programming track booster you can use with some other requirements Digitrax or another brand standalone programmer.

Furthermore, there is the SoundTraxx Decoder Addressing Restriction --
When using OPS Mode, a SoundTraxx decoder will not allow you to change the type of address currently in use. In other words, the decoder will ignore a change from a short address to another short address or from a long address to another long address.
Workaround is to program short address to a long address. Then program from the long address to a short address and vice versa.
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: kcstrains on February 06, 2017, 03:09:40 PM
Thanks for all the advice.  For now, I will program in the operating mode and avoid the cost of the booster.  If it continues to be a problem, I'll buy one.  Phil
Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: Hunt on February 06, 2017, 05:35:46 PM
Phil in case you have not found it,

Click Here  (http://www.soundtraxx.com/factory/OEM_pages/bachmann/ho_modern4-4-0.pdf) for  Bachmann HO Modern 4-4-0  supported CVs and other info.  I have not compared the info in this file against the installed decoder.
 
Notice  - CV 30 value is 4. The CV function outputs F5-F8 and F9-F12 are listed as if CV 30  = 0 so you have to adjust them for CV 30 = 4 Function Swapping feature.

(you add the leading zero required by Digitrax to the above where necessary)


Title: Re: Programming Lockout
Post by: kcstrains on February 06, 2017, 07:30:38 PM
Thank You.