I bought an inexpensive Bachman DCC Loco. For the price it runs fine, and the deocder repsonds properly. But I have problems trying to program anything… even changing its address (I have a Digitrax Zephyr). When I do an CV read or CV write in Page or Opns programming mode, I get a “D nd” error. Any thoughts on what’s wrong?
Thanks,
Jack
Are you using a programming track? Some decoders won’t let you program on the main.
Those bachmann decoders are real low end Lenz products. I don’t think they support Ops Mode programming. Try on the program track with Phys mode instead of Paged. Or maybe Direct.
–Randy
Maybe an e-mail to bachmann would help
Hey, I solved the problem! Thought I would post my results in case it helps someone else. Thanks, everyone for the suggestions. Randy, I can’t believe I never thought of trying Phys or Dir… so did at your suggestion, but they both errored out too. Cheese, I contacted Bachmann Customer Service at your suggestion. Their “DCC Guy” was kind enough to call me back, but said he couldn’t help, because he “didn’t have any information about Digitrax.” (How do you manufacture DCC locomotives and not know how they work with a Digitrax command system, I wonder.) So, as with so many things in this hobby, just started “trying stuff.” On the Ask Bach-Man web forum I found a comment saying someone had success putting a 1000 ohm resistor across the program track with the locomotive since the decoder in the Bachmann didn’t draw enough current for the Digitrax Zephyr to see it. Now I wouldn’t know a resistor if it bit me, but thought maybe if the idea is to draw more current while programming… another loco might do that. So I placed an analog loco along with the Bachmann on the program track and everything worked like a charm. I guess I’m lucky I didn’t blow something up… but what the heck, the Bachmann loco with decoder cost $25, and the analog I put with it is also a disposable cheapie. Anyway, DRG&W FT-A running fine at the address I wanted!
-Jack
jxtrrx
You can get a handful of the 1K ohm resistors at Radio Shack for about a dollar. Add an alligator clip to each end and fasten it to your programing track. This little trick allows Zephyr owners to program any Lenz/Atlas decoder without problems. I think the idea originated with the technical people at Digitrax.
There is a photo of my resistor on my Website. Once on site pu***he “How’d You Do That?” button. Site link is in my signature.
My MRC command 2000 had that hint in the instructions,about thr restor.
Jim
Thanks for the resistor info. Allan, enjoyed your website very much. nice work.
-Jack
jxtrrx,
Thanks for the kind words Jack. The website is still very much a work in progress.
So, other than the difficulty in programming, how is the loco (assume it’s the GP40) as a model?
Jeff, It’s actually a DRG&W FT-A. I bought it on the internet for $25 including the factory installed decoder. It’s not well detailed, and doesn’t have the smooth (or very slow) running ability of my Atlas or Kato engines, of course and its noisier-- but for $25 I think its a good little piece. It seems to have plenty of power and is a good puller. I use it as my layout “tough guy” when I’m testing unproven or possibly dirty track, and don’t care much if it falls over while experiencing one of my notorious rail joiners. For the price, I would recommend it.
-Jack
i have one of the companys GP40s. runs almost as good as a Kato. it has about as much detail is my athearn Geeps but i can live with that. i use it along with my GP18 when its not with my SD45 or running alone