Programming decoders including Sound.

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A lot has been asked and said about programming loco decoders, especially since the first RTR Broadway Limited sound locos with QSI chips appeared on our layouts. Prior to these RTR locos, sound in our locos could only be added by installing a Soundtraxx after market decoder, that was beyond the skills of a lot of modellers and these only operated with DCC. Since the introduction of the RTR BLIs and others, that run on DC as well as DCC, sound has become popular. At the moment it has been reported that most of the RTR sound locos with the QSI chips are being sold to owners of DC layouts. This is probably because layouts controlled with DC are still the majority of total layouts. With the advances in DCC and the decoders becoming smaller, more features and cheaper and along with systems with more features becoming cheaper, DCC layouts will become more popular.

These BLIs etc with QSI chips and some of the Soundtraxx especially the new Tsunami, have caused some angst amongst DCC users. These users are used to reading the value of the CVs, prior to programming and some Command Stations, when reading a CV value, comes back with a message “Cannot read CV” or similar depending on the DCC system.

The reason the Command Station gives this result, is because the C/S thinks there is a short on the Program Track due to the sound decoder’s higher Inrush Current exceeding the C/S’s threshold for current limiting on the Program Track, to protect the decoder and system, if there was a short on a new decoder installation.

Most of all the newer decoders including the sound units, support Programming on the Main, POM, type of programming and commonly called “Operations” mode, that allows the decoder to be programmed while the loco is on the mainline (layout). POM allows you to adjust CVs while you are using the loco, but in most cases, you have to have the loco stationary. This reduces the inconvenience of returning the loco to the dedicated Program Track and if only one DCC system, a break in operations that most people would not tolerate if on a club layout or a few operators on a home layout. Programming would have to be “after hours”. Using POM makes “matching motor speed characteristics” etc much easier. All CV values can be changed using POM and this includes the short and long addresses (CV1 – short and CVs 17 &18 - long) depending on the DCC system. My NCE system allows this.

POM programming has one slight (depending on the user) disadvantage. It cannot read the CV values that some users are used to, while programming.

To program a loco, it is not a requirement to read the CV values, it is just that users are used to it and this has created some sort of “security blanket” for those users. I don’t understand why seeing the value of something you are going to change is necessary, except maybe a stating point to change a CV. No value displayed in POM, just insert a value and you can see the results as soon as you return to running the loco, by operating the throttle. Some decoders allow CVs to be changed while the loco is moving eg. DSD100-LCs allows volume changes while running.

POM programming is a command to change a CV value with an address attached to it, and this command action is just like sending a command to a loco, for example, increase the speed of the current loco, change direction, turn on the headlight etc. These commands have an address attached to them and only the decoder with the exact same address, responds. It is for this reason that all the locos on the layout, don’t move, when the ”speed knob is turned up” when addressing, say loco 4512. This is basic DCC, independent control of all locos on the layout.

Some have reported that they have programmed all the locos on the layout. Unless there is “operator error” in trying to do this POM, it is impossible to program all the locos on the layout. Operator error cannot be guarded against by the manufacturer. Some basic understanding of what happens on your layout, will confirm this. It has all to do with addresses. The only way you can program all locos is do a Global Command and this is possible by using address 0. Why someone would use “0” for an address while trying to address say loco 4512, is certainly beyond me. In fact a global command is exactly what happens when the Emergency Stop button is pressed to stop all the locos on the layout for what may be an emergency for whatever reason.

Reading the decoder CV values in these sound decoders required some form of program track booster. A Power Pax from Tony’s fitted to the Program Track allowed reading CV values of the early Soundtraxx and QSI decoders. Along comes the Soundtraxx Tsunami (latest sound decoder) and the CV values cannot be read even with a Power Pax, depending on the DCC system. Soundtraxx recommends a Program Track Booster PTB-100 to enable reading CV values. Another unit that has to be purchased to replace the Power Pax, what next?

Since all programming can be done on the Main, POM, I have found it unnecessary to return to the Program Track, apart for 1. Doing a decoder reset on a decoder that has gone all “screwy” and has lost its address and 2. Checking an initial decoder installation utilizing the current limit on this track to protect the decoder and system, if there is a fault with the decoder installation causing a short. It is not necessary for one of these program track boosters, if you become used to not having to know the CV value prior to programming. Knowing the CV value is just not necessary. Some of you are saying, this is rubbish, read on.

When a decoder comes from the factory, whether it is installed in the loco or is an after market version, it comes with all the CVs at the default value. When this loco or decoder (in a loco) is placed on the track some form of programming must be carried out. This will depend on the user, and will start from just changing the 2 digit address or allocating a 4 digit address just to run the loco on the layout with other locos present. Users that tinker with CVs to get optimum performance and special effects etc will change from between a few CVs eg. CV2, 3,4, and CVs for lights (decoder specified), to many CVs eg user downloaded speed tables multiple CVs for sound etc, but many of the CVs that are in the decoder will not be change and hence these will be still at their default values.

Bye the way a loco run quite ok just using the default values and I am sure many DCC user are operating this way. They have only given the loca a new address. So in a lot of cases CVs don’t get changed.

Decoder Pro a free decoder programming utility that can downloaded from the Internet is a great way of storing your loco roster complete with CV values and provides an easy way to set up you specific loco’s features eg. headlights, speed tables etc. If you use the procedure outlined below, you don’t have to read any CVs in Decoder Pro either, so these extra boosters are not necessary. Just look and try before you start saying not possible. This is because of the great people who are producing Decoder Pro, load in all the default values for all the decoders that are available, baring the latest, latest releases and probably some really early ones.

So if you have a Tsunami or QSI decoder, you can successfully program the decoder including changing the address and loading a user defined speed table without a Program Track Booster.

If you still find you need a P/T booster then just go ahead and purchase one. The problem is not going to go away, if we continue to use our existing DCC equipment. DCC manufacturers are always improving their products. Look at the new NCE Power Cab an entry level DCC system that does read CVs on the program track of all the sound locos. A great full feature, complete DCC starter kit.

So for my mind, and as my mate Erik has done, our Program Tracks are gathering dust under the layout because reading CV values is for the “birds”

Using Decoder Pro without reading the CV values

Using Decoder Pro without reading the CV values of the decoder using a Soundtraxx Tsunami that requires a Program Track Booster from Soundtraxx. My NCE DCC system could not read the CV values. I have since modified my NCE Command Station to enable reading Tsunami and any other sound loco.

My mate Erik told me this is what he does and he exclusively uses Decoder Pro to set up his locos and makes all of the adjustments using Decoder Pro. So I have tried this and written the steps below how to do it.

To make this work, one has to get out of your head, the necessity of reading CV values to program a decoder. This is some sort of “security blanket” that just is an old mother’s tale that some DCC users have got used to, and just won’t let go off. Since DCC system and decoders that are capable of programming on the Main (POM) type of programming, the Program track is not necessary and can be located under the layout to gather dust.

The only reason that I can see to use a program track is when a decoder has been corrupted and that it has lost its address. It has not necessarily reset. It just wont respond to any address. POM requires an address, so if there is no address, then the decoder will not respond to the command when using POM. This troublesome decoder may be reset on the Program Track because here there is no requirement of an address. You will not have to read any CVs just, in most cases write “2” to CV 30. Check decoder manual about reset procedures.

I assume all have Decoder Pro installed in their computers and the computer connected to their DCC system. If not all this can be done from instructions at

http://jmri.sourceforge.net/download/

Anyway enough of the preamble, lets get into it.

It looks complicated but if you have used Decoder Pro you will be able to just whiz through it. This is nothing new and probably a lot of people are doing it this way anyway, like Erik.

Programming without reading CVs using Decoder Pro.

Simply put, you are assigning, by giving your loco ID number (eg 3618), to an already made up Decoder Pro decoder specifications sheet, complete with default values, by selecting the relevant decoder from the decoder list that opens up when you use the Use Programming Track selection.

Now that the correct pane with all the CVs and default values has been filed and saved against the Loco ID, address, you open up Decoder Pro using the “Program on the main track” selection and change only the CVs that need changing to give the decoder the features you want eg. Volts start, med and max, momentum, light and sound selections etc. These are easily changed using Decoder Pro’s plain English prompts for each of the available options against each feature. All the other CVs are left at their default value for correct decoder operation. All this, without reading a CV value. Easy hey.

Step by Step Instructions to achieve this:

1. Set loco on the mainline and operate with address 3 and operate loco. This confirms that the loco and Command Station are talking to each other.
2. Leave the loco on the mainline.
3. Open up Decoder Pro and select “Use Programming Track…”
4. A window with all the Manufacturers listed opens. Select the manufacturer and model. In my case “Throttle Up (Soundtraxx)” and selected “Tsunami Steam”.
5. Select “Comprehensive” and then select “Open Programmer” Window “Program <new loco> on Service track” opens up. This “forces” a decoder page instead of letting Decoder Pro read CVs 7 and 8 (Selecting the “Ident button”) and hence no reading of any CV.
6. Type the loco number you want to program on the top “ID field”. In my case 3618
7. Click on “Save” and close window. This makes a decoder entry in Decoder Pro for the required loco. In my case, 3618 with all the CVs set at their default values as written by the wonderful people at Decoder Pro, lead by Bob Jacobson. Thanks Bob and others.
8. Exit Decoder Pro and reselect Decoder Pro. This time select “Program on the main track…”
9. “Ops mode ..”window opens, Select from Roster list is displayed. Scroll down to the new loco you created in step 5 and select. In my 3618.
10. Programmer Format shows “Comprehensive” Click on Open Programmer.
11. Window opens “Program XXXX on the main track…”. My case Program 3618 on the main track…” Roster entry pane is displayed.
12. Select Basic tab. Basic pane shows.
13. Leave “Active DCC address box the same at “3”.
14. One byte short address “ticked”
15. Primary Address “3” the same.
16. In the “Extended Address” Box and write loco number as in step 5. For me I wrote 3618.
17. Select “Write Changes on Sheet” tab at the bottom to write the CV values for CV 17 and 18 that Decoder Pro worked out, that correspond to the new 4 digit (long) address that is required. Decoder Pro is still addressing the decoder by the short address “3”.
18. Tick the “Two byte (extended) address” on the Active DCC address window. Now this window is highlighted.
19. Click on Write Changes on Sheet”. Now Decoder Pro writes to the decoder’s CV 29 a value of 34.
20. Click on File (top left) and save all details for this “Basic” pane.
21. Select the new 4 digit address on your throttle. Now the loco responds to the new 4 digit address. In my case 3613 using my NCE throttle and hopefully your loco responds to your new 4 digit long address too. All this without reading a CV value.

Note: I noticed with the QSI, I had to exit Decoder Pro after I set the decoder to respond to the 2 byte extended address, to change the volume of my Eureka 620/720 diesel rail motor and to use Decoder Pro in Operations mode, POM, you have to disable the verbal acknowledgement, CV 62. Go to the “QSI Misc” panel and disable this CV.

As the decoder in the loco comes from the factory with all the default settings or the loco has had a reset done on it, all the CVs except CVs 17, 18 and 29 will be the same in Decoder Pro as they are in the Loco. This all done without reading a CV even in Decoder Pro.

Now I can change any of features of the decoder using Decoder Pro and their plain English statements for each decoder feature. No need to work out the CV value. Just select the option you want. This is especially useful with the Tsunami, with all of its 200 or so CVs. A lot of these will stay at their default values.

For example, under the “Speed Control” pane you can manufacture a speed table or adjust Volts Start, med and max to modify the way the PIC in the decoder controls the motor. Under the “Lights” pane you just select the option of how your headlights operate eg Rule 17 dimmable etc you want . Under the “Sound/Volume control” pane, you can adjust the sound levels of sound locos. This method of adjusting sound volume is really great in Decoder Pro especially for QSI decoder that need two CV values to do this.

All of this is accomplished without the inconvenience of going back to the Program Track just staying “on the main track”..

See how you go, especially you fellas that don’t have a program track booster.