DCC System – Program Track Problems.
Since
sound decoders were released, DCC systems have been having trouble reading the
CV values on the Program Track. Programming on the
The
problem stems from the fact that most DCC systems offer a protected, current
limited program track to test decoders after initial installation. Being a
wiring installation by a modeller of varying skills, this could have led to a
mistake in the wiring connection. The DCC system manual suggests to install the
new loco on the Program Track and attempt to read CVs. If the system cannot,
then there is a message stating this. The modeller should then recheck all
wiring and repair the installation until the system can read CV values.
A
loco with incorrect wiring, if placed on the Program Track, the decoder, loco
or DCC system would not be damaged.
With
sound decoders becoming popular first released by Soundtraxx and then from Broadway limited with the QSI
chip, users of DCC system were having problems with reading the CV values. The
cause is that sound decoders have on board capacitors that when the programming
on the protected program track, causing the system to think there is a short
due to the inrush current charging these capacitors exceeding the systems set
criteria, As sound decoders and RTR
sound locos have become more popular, more modellers have become effected.
Tony’s
Train Exchange released a program track booster, the Power Pax
that amplifies the current to the program track and allows the CVs to be read.
Many have been sold and fitted to DCC layouts.
Soundtraxx
has released the US$60.00 Program Track Booster
– PTB-100 available only from Soundtraxx that enables reading the Tsunami CVs
on the program track.
I
find that I only need to read CVs on the program track occasionally, so the
purchase of either of the above “booster” an unnecessary expense. You don’t
have to read CVs to program a loco decoder.
A
better alternative for all DCC users, irrespective of brand, would be to buy an
NCE Power Cab that can
read all sound loco CVs on the program track and doubles up as full feature
entry level DCC system. At US$139.95 from Tony’s
this unit could be used as a backup DCC system or as a dedicated programming
system that would allow you DCC to be used as normal during programming of
decoders. For clubs this would be a great advantage. For NCE users the Power
Cab can be used as an extra Procab for your layout at a slightly higher cost of
a standard Procab. See Tony’s review of the Power
Cab.
Programming decoders.
To
program a decoder and this includes selecting a 4 digit long address, does not
require CV values to be read. Reading CV values is just a feature that is
available. Programming most decoders (Feb 06) can be done by using Programming on the Main – POM feature
that most DCC systems offer. If your system has this, just follow the system
manual instructions to use this great feature.
Programming
on the
All
adjustments (programming) of CVs can be done using POM, except some systems
don’t allow you to change CV 1, the short address.
Always
place a newly installed decoder onto the Program Track to test for incorrect
wiring – faulty installation.
What to do if your system cannot
read CV values of these sound decoders.
All
is not lost. You can do everything you did on the program track on previous non
sound decoders, using POM, except some systems don’t allow you to change CV 1.
This includes giving your loco a long address, so that it can be run on your
layout if you are using long addresses for loco IDs.
To
give you decoder (loco) a long address you have to give values to CVs 17 and
18. Depending on the DCC system will depend how you can do this. If the DCC
system does not have an “Extended Address Calculator” in the system that allows
you to just “insert” the loco number, then you will have to use any of the
available “calculators” to work out the two values. Click here for Tony’s calculator.
For the NCE procedure to change address, see below title.
DCC
systems that have the calculator will just prompt you for the required long
address when you want to give a value to CV 17 or 18. The system may have a
menu that includes changing the address of the loco, like my PHP from NCE.
If
you want to still read CVs then you may have to buy a Power Pax
from Tony’s.
The Soundtraxx Tsunami programming
on the Program Track.
The
much awaited new sound decoder from Soundtraxx, the Tsunami,
CVs cannot be read on the Program Track without a Program
Track Booster PTB-100 from Soundtraxx, It can be programmed including
adding a long address by using POM.
Using other methods instead of the
program track boosters.
Modellers
have come up with methods that may or may not be approved by the manufacturer.
When I get more news on how to do this with each system, I will add a section
for that manufacturer.
As
an NCE user I have already modified my command station. See the NCE section
below. While I have done my NCE system and I know that it works, I am using
other modellers suggestions and taking there word for it that it works. This is
a guide, so carry out whatever method they recommend. I do not take
responsibility of what you have done to your system, I am only offering a
suggestion on an alternative to a US$60 program track booster. I will leave it
up to you.
DCC Systems.
NCE:
Purchase a Power Cab or see my article for the history of the initial mod from NCE
and what I have done to read CVs on the Program Track without the PTB-100. As noted
in the article, carrying out the mod will void your NCE warranty. To do it will
be at your OWN RISK.
Lenz:
Ian said on the DCC for Sound Yahoo
group on 28Jan06.
Has anyone thought of putting a resistor in one of the wires to program
track. This was the cheap and easy fix for QSI decoders. For a Lenz set 100/90
a 10ohm resistor did the trick, other systems I don't know. As I don't have any tsunami's I do not know
the answer but I am sure someone will give it a try.
Iansa
James asked
Ian ,
Is the resistor put in line (in series) or across the track (in
parallel)
James & others, the resistor is fitted in series (in line) in one of
the feeder wires to the programming track. Different value resistors may be
required for other systems(trial & error).For QSI's Lenz LZV100 needs 10
ohm, the older Lenz O1 sets required a 20 ohm. The values may be different for
Tsunami's, I don't know.
Give it a try the very worst that can happen is, it won't work no other
harm will be done. And, at only a few cents per resistor the bank a/c won't
suffer to much either.
Happy DCCing Iansa
Ian
was replying to an email that asked how to install the resistor. I spoke to Ian
and he assures me that Debbie Ammes from Lenz North America suggested this
“fix” to read CVs
Digitrax:
Don said on DCC for Sound Yahoo group on 27Jan06
I have been successful in programming the Tsunami on the program track
without a programming booster, using only my Digitrax Zephyr, and a 1000 ohm
resistor across the rails. I could not get
the 4 digit address to "take" using PAGE mode, but was successful
using DIRECT mode. DIRECT mode worked
the first try, and I was able to program all other CV's this way. I was also able to program everything but the
address on the main in OPS mode. Give it
a try before you spend money on a programming booster that you may not need.
I have also found that the Zephyr will program QSI equipment without
using additional equipment, only the Zephyr.
I have found, however, that it is always a good idea to check (or write)
CV 29 last, before quitting programming.
For me, the correct value is usually 34, as I don't use analog
conversion.
Changing the Address with NCE.
Marcus
said on NCE Yahoo group on 28 Jan o6.
With the new eeprom, you don't even have to have the
"formula/calculator" for CV 17 and CV 18 values. The PHP does it all
for you.
Select the CURRENT address of the loco.
Press Esc/Prog = Prog on the Main
programming.
Press Enter = Current loco address shows in display.
Press Enter = POM for current loco.
Display shows 1 = ADR 2
= CV 3 = CFG.
Press "1" to CHANGE current loco address.
Select "1" = LONG or "2" = SHORT to change address.
Prompts for either short or long address.
Type in required address and press "Enter".
Screen now shows the changed address.
Loco can be operated NOW at this changed address.
Looks difficult and may seem hard to remember, but you don't have to
think at all. With the Procab's plain English prompts on the screen and NCE's
ingenuity, the operator is guided all the way.
For a loco operating on 3 or any short address, to change it to the LONG
address, required only 10 button presses and the loco has never seen the
Program Track.
How easy is this - it could not be easier. POM is fantastic.