Changing Locomotive Address's

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hey,

I have one locomotive and it is a atlas B23-7 #2011, and the address is #003, on my NCE powercab, or its just the factory default address, anyways, i want to change the address to the locomotive #2011.

How would i do this?

tjsingle

2

Which decoder?

Typically, you put it on the programming track and programme the 4 digit address. Your best bet is to read the manual that came with the DCC system.

David B

3

its a atlas qsi sound decoder, that came standard in the locomotive. Its the sound locomotive

4

Note that the following technique works well for decoders that dont like to be re-addressed on the programming track…

OK, to programme the address, you will need to use OPs mode programming.

  1. Remove all other locos from the main.

  2. Select locomotive (03), make sure it responds and enter OPs mode programming (programming on the main…again refer to your manual…)

  3. We need to programme CVs 17 and 18. In OPs mode programming, set CV17=199 then set CV18=219. (wait for verbal response). Here is a great tool: A CV17 and 18 calculator…

http://ruppweb.dyndns.org/xray/comp/decoder.htm

  1. Then we need to programme CV 29. Set CV29=34. (wait for verbal response). This is another great tool: The CV29 lookup tool.

http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/cv29-lookup.htm

  1. Enjoy.

David B

5

David;

I have never heard of "decoders that don’t like to be re-addressed on the programming track. Can you give us some examples?

I have heard of newer decoders whose write back current on the programming track is too low to be read by some command stations. In the case of my Digitrax Zephyr putting a 1k ohm 1/4 watt resistor in parallel with the programming track rails corrects the problem.

Best!

6

Hmmm…

OK, from my experience, here are a few decoders that dont like to be re-addressed on the programing track.

  1. QSI-anything.

  2. Soundtraxx Tsunami

  3. N scale Lenz (Atlas locos)

  4. Digitrax SFX Decoders.

I cant think of any others right now, but every now and then a decoder just doesnt behave properly on the programming track. What I have written above is a walk around to buying a programming track booster.

David B

7

I can attest to that! Two of my DZ125’s were an absolute pain in the butt to readdress on the progframming track. I’d set the address, the loco would respond then I put it on the main and it wouldn’t come up under the new address, only #3. I finally programmed them on the main and had no further trouble.

8

When doing OPS mode programming, there is no need to remove the other locos from the main as long as they don’t have the same address as the one you are wanting to program.

You should be able to use the address programming routine of the PowerCab instead of going through the trouble of using the CV calculator if you turn off the verbal response(If you don’t turn off verbal response, the decoder will be responding while the PowerCab is trying to write additional CV’s).

9

TJ,

Changin an address on your NCE PowerCab is very, very easy. Get out your manual and follow the step by step instructions.

First, remove all other lcoos from your layout. Then throw the PowerCab (PC) in to “Use Programming Track” mode. This will automatically switch the PC into programming mode. Follow the menu on the display. it will walk you through each step and prompt you for responses. Don;t forget to activate the long address.

If this fails to do the trick, use “Program on the Main” to change the address. Again, the PC will walk you through, and so will the manual.

10

Sometimes. Depends on the day of the week or the stars are in the right alignment. Ops mode programming is best done WITHOUT the other engines on the track. We have used Ops mode several times and in a couple of instances have had to reprogram other engines because they have been reprogrammed to the same address. I know I have done it once and now remove the other engines.

There does seem to be a trend to the Ops mode problems. It does like to grab the higher end sound stuff. It ignored two Bachmann’s with no FX and grabbed both of the QSI’s. SOP for our club now is to pull all of the other engines or put them on spurs that the power can be turned off and then program.