I recently received my second Bachmann 4-4-0 (this one has DCC and sound) and have tried to program its decoder on the main (I am using MRC Prodigy Advanced) and have had no success (didn’t have any success with its sister either). A local modeler seems to feel that the engine is not able to be programmed on the main; but must use a programming track. OK fine…but what are the CV values? While reading the MR Product Review on this model, the writer suggested the following: CV#2 = 15, CV#3 and #4 = 5. My Prodigy Advanced also wants data on CV#5 (Top Voltage) and I cannot find this value anywhere. Has anyone else programmed this locomotive? What CV values did you use? Unfortunately the “manual” that came with the engine is next to useless.
Incidentally, this is a sweet running little engine that “breezes” through my Peco small radius turnouts. The sound quality is good and it seems to have no problem hauling 8 - 10 36’ cars. I would appreciate any information you can give on the CV subject. As always: thanks!!
My 4-4-0 came DCC on board, no sound. I put a Micro/Tsunami decoder in it. As fas as I know, the 4-4-0s with sound now have a factory installed Tsunami.
I purchased a Consolidation with the factory installed Tsunami.
While the engine runs and sounds great I couldn’t even change the address using a MRC Prodigy Express on the programming track or the main. I have the same 3.5 amp power as the Prodigy Advance.
I contacted MRC who told me that I need a programming track booster with the Tsunami. By the way I can programme QSI, Digitrax and of course MRC but not Tsunami!
I have the NCE Power Cab so I do not have that problem and I only use the Micro-Tsunami. Someone else might be able to comment. I know NCE sells a booster so NCE must have known that this could happen. Good luck.
I have appealed to model railroaders on the Bachmann forum…surely most of them have had success with programing the 4-4-0. It does look that a programming track booster is necessary for the MRC Prodigy Advanced. Thanks for replying.
I appreciate your time in replying to my question regarding CV programming. In your post, you refer to “OPs mode programming” and I would like you to explain what you mean by this term (I have looked in other sources and can’t seem to find it mentioned). The MRC Prodigy Advanced has two “modes” of programming: “programming track” and “on the main”. Am I missing something here? To date, I have not set up a programming track as all my other locomotives will very nicely program on the main. Apparently the Bachmann 4-4-0 is not in this group.
This will be the first real “programming” I have done since re-entering the hobby. I have only changed the addresses of my other engines so I appreciate you understanding and assistance.
If your decoder AND system support it (most do, but not all), OPs mode programming is nothing more than programming your locomotive while it is running on the layout (not the programming track). Some DCC systems use the term (main line programming) or (ops mode programming) or (programming on the main)…it doesnt matter, they all mean OPs mode programming.
If you are interested in OPs mode programming, your best bet is to look it up in your DCC system manual.
I put in a Tsunami in to a Spectrum 2-8-0, and did need a progamming track booster, so if that’s what’s in the 4-4-0, there you go. I got a the digitrax one on ebay for under $40.
Wow Im glad I have a Power Cab. The P.C. has the extra power in program track mode to program anything. I have done every make of decoder with out a problem. I even address the Blueline decoder and TCS decoder at the same time on the program track. The P.C. even has a built in amp meter for diagnostics and eficiency purposes.
You MRC should program the Tsunnami on the main but you will not be able to read CVs. Set CV29 to 34 first then set CV17 and 18 for your address. CV2 is the start voltage going to the motor. CV3 and 4 is acceleration and deceleration CV 5 and 6 is motor top speed and mid speed.
If you are doing “program on the main”(OPS mode) then DO NOT program CV29 first. Remember that when doing OPS mode programming, you have to tell the command station the address of the decoder you are programming. If you enable 4 digit addressing by programming CV29, then the decoder will stop responding to the 2 digit address and won’t take CV17 and 18 when you try to program them.
I have the MRC Prod. ADV. Sqared2. The soundtraxx PTB100 Program track booster is your best bet. I have tried the PowerPax booster and it would not read back CV’s on my system. But now with the PTB100 I can read and write CV’s on my bachmann loco’s with tsunami decoders. I had to get the chuffs right. It has worked fine with all my other decoders also.
My thanks go out to all of you that took the time to respond to my situation. Thanks for the advice on contacting/joining the Bachmann Trains forum…I didn’t know it even existed! After sifting through all the suggestions, I feel the best course of action is to purchase a programming booster. Being a relatively new to DCC, I think the KISS principle would be my best option (that is: purchase and use a programming booster like the Soundtraxx unit). As it stands, I have two Bachmann American 4-4-0s to program and am anxiously waiting for Bachmann to release a Mogul (yes, I know Roundhouse already has one…I prefer Bachmann) so some additional programming is in the future. I do wish the N.D.& C. had a ten-wheeler in the past; but the largest engine owned, by the road, was one lone Mogul.
I sincerely hope all of the readers/responders to the MR Forums realize how helpful your input has been. Given your guidance (and some sweat equity on my part) the Newburgh, Dutchess & Connecticut RR will run again. Thank you all so much.