As I stated before, I just got back into the hobby after close to 20 years. I have decided to go with DCC operation. I know less than nothing about DCC. I purchased the Digitrax Zephyr Xtra system. I just recently purchased 3 DCC engines. A spectrum SD-45, a Bachmann GP-30 and a Spectrum GE-44 Ton Switcher. I have been able to get the SD-45 and GP-30 running, but only in the 03 mode. I have been unable to program the four digit engine number, I keep getting d nr error message, the manual say something about, it can not read the decoder. What do I do to correct this? Also the GE-44 Ton switcher will not respond to any programing. I noticed on the box it states that it is DCC ready, did I just purchase a DC loco that will need a decoder installed? Like I said, I know less than nothing about DCC. I am really worried that I might be in over my head. I have just purchased an Atlas Gold line GP-40-2 with QSI sound, it should arrive next week. Have I bitten off more than I can chew?
DCC ready means that the loco is easy to install a decoder. Usually there is a plug for the decoder to plug into. Usually there is a dummy plug that allow the loco run on DC.
I hope you didn’t put that particular loco on powered track with DCC. The motor will be fried with the DC dummy plug in place.
Generally, it means that the motor is wired and/or has a 8-pin NMRA socket ready for a DCC decoder. In reality, some decoder installs are easier than others.
And, in the case of the Proto 2000 S1 switcher, it means absolutely nothing. Even though the box says “DCC-ready”, the motor brushes still have to be isolated from the chassis or your decoder goes poof
Tom
Merely putting a DC loco on DCC track will not fry the motor. If it is left there not in motion for long periods of time, it will overheat and damage can eventually be done.
While I don’t have any now, I have run DC engines on DCC with zero stretching for hours in the past. Not all DCC systems have that capability.
You’re running into the infamous Bachmann cheap junky decoder problem. Those Bachmanns that come with DCC already installed use an old Lenz-designed decoder built for them that is not even sold by Lenz since the current Lenz economy models exceed it. They usually work for programmign if you connect a 1K resistor across the program track rails. Eventually you may want to replace them with better decoders - even the $12 NCE D13SRJ (when purchased in a 10 pack) is a FAR superior decoder than those Bachmann ones. It’s great Bachmann makes it possible to buy a $50 locoa nd it already has DCC< but, well, you get what you pay for sometimes. What’s more annoying is that they use that same cheap decoder in the otherwise superb Spectrum steam locos, which aren;t $50 locos. Unless you get the sound version, which has a Tsunami sound decoder.
DCC Ready unfortunately is just a marketing term. SOmetimes it means all youhave to do is plug in a decoder, other times it just means that yes, you CAN put a decoder in this loco if you want to - which is true of ANYTHING. You cna put a decoder in anything - just the level of effort required varies.
–Randy
With some models it means that installing a DCC decoder is a simple matter of plugging one into a socket.
With others it means practically nothing other than marketing hype because the model has no decoder socket or the loco must be rewired to accept a decoder.
DCC ready means “motor is isolated from the frame”…nothing more.
David B
But not always! See Proto2000 S-1 switchers for example. Says DCC Ready on the box. Orange motor wire connected right to the frame.
Motor brushes isolated from the track pickups, I’ll buy that as a definition.
–Randy
As you can probably guess, once you see a DCC ready loco you are interested in, post it here and we’ll buy it before you, oops, we’ll tell you what will be involved.
Randy,
I am still the proud owner of a fried decoder that I installed in one of those exact little buggers before I knew better.
Rich
Just wanted to thank everyone for their input. I disconnected the power from the programming track. The two DCC locos are both running. One loco I was able to program the 4 digit road number into it and it was accepted and works fine. The other a Bachmann Spectrum loco still will not accept the 4 digit road number, it will only operate at the default 03 setting. Another problem with this loco is it is running very slowly at full throttle. Is this a decoder issue or motor issue?
Try the resistor across the program track that I mentioned in the other thread, A 1K resistor should be fine. One lead of the resistor to one rail, the other lead to the other rail, of you rprogramming track. Give that a try. I presume that Bachmann Spectrum loco came with a decoder - in which case it is the Bachmann ultra-cheap decoder and often required the resistor to put an extra load on the program track.
–Randy
As for the Digitrax system, you bought a system that is not user friendly, especially for beginners. This is a system for folks that like to troubleshoot and have all the bells and whistles at the expense of complication. You might have to find someone nearby that is a guru with this stuff, as you’ll be asking for more help then than with other DCC systems. It’s heavily marketed but not the best for the reasons just stated.
…OR…he can read the manual before pushing buttons.
Assuming that someone has to be a ‘guru’ to use a Digitrax system is insulting to the intelligence of people in this hobby.
David B
This ‘ease of use’ thing is REALLY getting tired. EVERY system does the basic operation the EXACT same way. Use the somewhat cumbersome DT100 throttle of a Digitrax system that hasn’t even been made for nearly 20 years is NOT a valid comparison on the useability of various systems.
There also is this persisent MYTH that Digitrax systems require you to manually set CV17/18/29 to program a 4-digit address. Absolutely not true.
There is a persistent myth that it’s hard to hook up a Digitrax system. The terminals are clearly labeled and the user mauals show a clear picture right int he front of what plugs in to where. ANd IMMEDIATELY walks you through selecting and runnign a loco. I’ve read the other manuals - some of them have pages of information before they even tell you how to hook the darn thing up, yet Digitrax gets rapped for supposedly not having a ‘getting started’ section. What?
And then there’s Loconet. Single bus for the entire system, not a seperate command station and throttle bus, and more capable than any polled system. And certainly no harder to hook up than any other, in fact maybe EASIER than some that still start with individual wires at the command station instead of a plug and socket like on all the downstream devices.
–Randy
Just because it’s too complicated for YOU does not mean it’s too complicated for most people who are actually willing to read the manual.
I found my Super Chief manual to be very easy to read and comprehend, and the system very simple to set up and operate.
My 4 year old grandson has no difficulty at all operating the trains.
There are valid personal reasons why some people prefer a different system, but ease of use certainly isn’t one of them.
I consider myself a Digitrax guru. That being said, I picked up an NCE throttle at the last train show and made more then one mistake trying to get a train running. So much for the intuitive thing. Had the same trouble first time I tried an MRC throttle.
Maybe it’s just what you get used to doing. I have trouble with the windshield wipers on my wife’s car, That’s because the wipers are on turn signal lever of my own everyday vehicle. They are on the other side of the column on her car. She can’t understand why it’s so hard for me either.
Oh and what the heck does the comment about Digitrax systems have to do with “DCC ready” anyway?
Martin Myers
OH yeah, I left one out - Cab address - all the others seem to have a cab address, and certain devices can only use certain ranges of addresses. No such thing in Digitrax, just plug in your new throttle and it works.
–Randy
Woodman,
I have to commend you for having the mettle to jump into DCC. I got back into mrr a few months ago, after a 17 year absence, but have known for a few years that I would go DCC. However, doing so seems fraught with many pitfalls. When the manufacturers command, and probably rightfully so, between $200-500 per loco- for sound & DCC- what guarantee do I have that placing my new loco on my tracks won’t fry it?, or that it will work at all. Although I worked in the computer field for 38 years, I am not a programmer, or electrical engineer. And for hundreds of dollars I don’t think I should have to be. As far as I am concerned it is the fault of NMRA. Nothing should be sold as DCC, or DCC ready unless it is plug & play. If there are 28 sounds available they should all work out of the box. If I don’t choose to use them, so be it. Now from this thread I have found out that DCC ready could mean nothing, I have to program supposedly DCC locos, that Digitrax may require an advanced degree (was my choice until today), in addition to BLI and MTH having DCC issues now Bachman has problems as well. I have read and printed articles that state, that other than reverse loops, DC to DCC should work without a hitch. The more I read about DCC the bigger the nightmare seems. I hope it works out for you in the end, but I think it will be a long time before I plunk own a $2000 for a DCC system and some locos.
Glenn
I too find it amazing that people don’t read or update themselves before commenting. It goes to show that once people have a perception about something it’s hard to break. Digitrax earned the perception of being difficult but fixed it long ago but they still have the title
A very similar scenario is Bachmann. They went through their time of poor quality. Today they rank with the best in quality but they are having a problem shaking the reputation they earned long ago.