I’ve discovered that my very basic Atlas DCC system is a Model A when it comes to working with advanced DCC locos such as the new BLIs I’ve recently purchased. I am able to run them although without accessing the advanced CVs. The problem is it lacks the programming current to change the default address on my 3 new BLI locos. From what I have determined, that is not a problem unique to the Atlas system. At rolleiman’s suggestion, I purchased some 1000 ohm resistors to increase the current draw but that didn’t do the trick. I think I am going to have to upgrade my system so that I can program the BLI locos and access the advanced features. I want to make sure I get a system that has enough programming track power to reprogram the BLI decoders. I’ve looked at several DCC guides and I see most systems have between 2.5 and 5.0 amps of power. Does this number necessarily correlate to more programming track power or is there another number I should be looking at. In addition to increased power, I need a system that has wireless control, preferably one that is compatible with the CVP wireless system I have purchased for my Atlas system.
I also saw in item in the Walthers catalog from DCC Specialties which is supposed to increase the current to the programming track but I’m not sure it makes sense to spend $60 on a temporary fix if I am going to upgrade my system anyway.
No, this is a problem for all units reguardless of how “advanced” they are. I have the same problem with my Digitrax and Lenz. The difference is both these have a “programming on the main” option. I don’t have to use the programming track. Just call up that locomotive number and program away wherever it sits. So that might be the feature you are looking for.
No, there is no correlation in these numbers and the programming ability. Those power numbers are the amount used by trains out on the track.
That would be any of them that use Express Net. So the notible exception is Digitrax which uses their own LocoNet. I use the CVP wireless with my Lenz.
If you want to use the programming track you will need this anyway. See my note above.
BTW “DCC Specialties” is the same company as “Tony’s Train Exchange”. They just use the “DCC Specialties” name when wholesale their products to others. In Tony’s catalog that unit is $49.95.
What you are talking about is “blast mode programming”.
Some more modern decoders, like the latest crop of sound decoders, are current hungry and won’t program properly on the programming track. This was not anticiapted by the initial designers of the DCC systems so you can end up with some decoders being virtually unprogrammable on the programming track. In effect, the evolution of high-tech decoders has outpaced the ability of most systems to program them!
Enter the Power Pax, a new programming track add-on that boosts programming track power, allowing you to do what’s called “blast mode programming”. Blast mode programming sends an initial burst of power (200 ma, still within the NMRA specifications for service mode programming thus avoiding decoder burnout) to the programming track for current hungry decoders to absorb, then sends the programming signal for the decoder.
I have added a Power Pax to my programming track leads and find my decoder programming woes are gone.
Newer systems are just now appearing that do “blast mode” programming, and don’t need the PowerPax. If you have a Digitrax Zephyr or the newest version of the EasyDCC system, they already do blast mode, so you do not need the Power Pax.
As others just mentioned, sounds like your best option would be to upgrade to a Lenz system. It will be compatible with your CVP wireless throttles, compatible with your existing Atlas equipment., and can program any QSI sound decoder equipment without buying that Power Pax equipment (you will need between a 10 and 20 ohm resistor, about 99 cents). Or you could just program them on the main
Your other solution would be to go with NCE. You will need to either buy a CVP base unit compatible with the NCE system so you can use your wireless throttles, or scrap all of you stuff from atlas and CVP, then buy all NCE equipment. To program your QSI equipped locos, you can either buy the Powerpax device or program on the main. One note here, NCE can program the QSI decoders, it just can’t read them. So you can change values but you cannot read them back to confirm the change.
Other option would be to go with the CVP system. Will need the wireless base unit for their system and scrap all the Atlas equipment. Not sure on their ability to program QSI equipped locos.
Over all your cheapest solution here is to go with Lenz. Get the Set100 as that is the better deal. You are looking at around $270 for the system and $40-$50 for a 5 amp power supply. You can use your Atlas Generator but it only puts out 2.5 amps. $1 for a pack of 10 ohm resistors. All CVP and Atlas equipment you already own will work.
Total as much as $321.
NCE Systems going to run you $325-$350, plus $40-$50 for a new 5 amp power supply, plus $100 for a new wireless base unit for your CVP throttles, plus $60 for the Power Pax device if you want to use the programming track instead of the main to program your QSI locos. Total costing you as much as $560.
CVP system costing you $229, plus $40-$50 for power supply, plus $100 for wireless base unit, plus $60 for Power Pax device??? if needed. Up to $420 total.
Thanks for the great input guys. I think I am going to buy the DCC Specialties to allow me to program the BLIs on my programming track. I’ll keep the Atlas system for now since it is able to run the locos. Right now, I am only running about half the fleet of locos and trains that I have planned so my Model A Atlas system should be OK for now. At some point I will upgrade to a system that will allow me to use all the way-cool advanced features of BLI and other sound decoders (doppler effect!!!). My Atlas Commander only has F0, F1, and F2 function keys which allows me to turn on the headlight, ring the bell, and sound the horn/whistle. It’s cool but I want more. I am just getting up to speed with my RF1300 wireless throttle from CVP. I don’t know yet whether it will allow me to access those advanced CVs.
I’ve got a Lenz-100 system and I’m very happy with it, in case you’re curious about going that route in the future. The Lenz-100 comes with an all-pushbutton throttle. I bought an add-on Lenz-90 throttle with the large analog speed control dial. It works fine, but I find that using it is very clumsy once I’ve used the Lenz-100 throttle. If you do decide to upgrade to a Lenz, go with the 100. (Lifetime warrantee isn’t a bad feature either, although mine has been completely trouble-free and I don’t expect to need repairs any time soon.)
The Lenz throttles use a standard 5-pin DIN connector for the control bus. I bought a bunch of the jacks for dirt-cheap on-line, and wired them up with 4-conductor phone cable. (One pin on the connector is unused.) This is a very thrifty way to do a control bus, and I’m glad Lenz used this particular connector. I think it’s more robust than the RJ-type connectors used for some other systems, and I can just solder wires to the lugs on the jacks rather than relying on a crimping tool.
I started with the basic Lenz Compact ( Atlas Commander ) I now have a Set 100 and 90 throttle, I still use the Compact for yard switching work. It will programme so you can use it as a seperate booster for a smaller area. then use the other sets as a main line booster.
