Using Decoder Pro without reading the CV values

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Using Decoder Pro right from the start, instead of using your throttle to program a decoder, Decoder Pro will have a complete file of all programmed CVs. This way the CV list will be updated when you “write a change” and all other CVs will be still at their default values.  We have not read any CVs but have on file, ALL CVs with their programmed values.   

 

Step by Step Instructions to achieve this: 

 

Note: Programming QSIs using Decoder Pro in “on the Main – POM” mode you have to disable the verbal acknowledgement, CV 62. Go to the “QSI Misc” panel and disable this CV.

 

  1. Place the loco on the mainline and operate with address 3 to confirm communications (C/S and loco talking).
  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 the “Open Programmer”
  6. Window “Program <new loco> on Service track” opens up. This “forces” a Roster Entry page instead of letting Decoder Pro read CVs 7 and 8 (Selecting the “Ident” button) and hence no reading of any CV.
  7. Type the loco number you want to program on the top “ID” field. In my case 3618
  8. 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 JMRI, lead by Bob Jacobson. Thanks Bob & All.
  9. Exit Decoder Pro and reselect Decoder Pro. This time select “Program on the main track…”
  10. Small “Ops mode ..”window opens, with a list of all the locos filed in Decoder Pro. Scroll down to the new loco you created in step 8 and select. In my 3618.
  11.  Programmer Format shows “Comprehensive” Click on Open Programmer.
  12. Window opens “Program XXXX on the main track…”. In my case “Program 3618 on the main track…” and the Roster entry pane is displayed.
  13. Select Basic tab. Basic pane shows.
  14. “Active DCC address” - One byte (short) address “ticked” Important leave, will change later. This allows Decoder Pro to program CVs 17 and 18 while the decoder still responds to “3”, otherwise CV 29 gets programmed to “34” and the CV 17 and 18 are left at their default values and the loco won’t respond.
  15. At the “Extended Address” Box and type in the loco number as in step 8. For me I wrote 3618.
  16. Select “Write Changes on Sheet” tab and Dec Pro writes the correct values for CV 17 and CV 18.
  17. Now you can “Tick” the 2 Byte (extended) address circle.
  18. Leave Primary address at “3”
  19. Select “Write Changes on Sheet” tab at the bottom. Dec Pro writes “34” to CV 29 (responding to 4 digit address).
  20.  Program any CV you want to change then exit Decoder Pro.
  21. Click on File (top left) and save all details for this “Basic” pane.
  22. Decoder Pro has now a roster entry for your newly addressed loco and all CV values have been saved.

 

When you want to program this loco from now on, open Decoder Pro and use the “On the Main – POM” mode. Program your CVs out on the track that is so much easier as there is no more returning to the Program Track and Decoder Pro remembers all the CV values. So now you see there is no need to read CV values. This is handy if your Command Station has problems reading some sound decoders without a Power Pax from Tony’s or PTB-100 from Soundtraxx.