Deprogramming decoders: is it possible?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hey everybody. I’m in sort of a dilemma. I have an atlas master dcc system and was wondering if it is possible to erase each decoder’s adress to reprogram them because I did a few transplants (from one loco to another). The odd thing is that the manual does say anywhere if it is possible to deprogram decoders. Another thing, if this doesn’t work out is it possible with a Digitrax zephyr?
Thanks
Dave

2

hit prog and get 08x8 and hit enter. Thats how i do it…But i use a DT400 should still work on the Zephyr

3

I don’t think/know if the process is called “deprogramming”. I am unfamiliar with the Atlas Master System. If I want to change a locomotive’s address with my Zephyr, I just place the loco on the program track and program in a new address.

4

I have 1 atlas decoder and it will not lose its Address i have tried changing it but i can’t. All i can say is call Atlas

5

Dave,
In a word, yes. The term you are looking for is reprogram.[:)]
Somewhere in the literature for the decoder there is a section about returning the decoder to factory specifications. For Lenz decoders, they make Atlas decoders, change CV8 to a value of 8 or 33. That will reset the address to"00" and you should be back to factory settings.[:D]
For Digitrax Decoders CV8 should have a value of 8 for factory settings.[:D]
If you are using a Zephyr to reset your Lenz/Atlas decoder. There is a trick to programing Lenz/Atlas decoders. Make sure the functions, ie: lights etc. are off, put a 1k ohm resistor across the programing track, you can’t change address on a digitrax system in OPS mode. Then program as normal. Learned that one the hard way![:I][:D]

6

With most decoders and DCC systems, all you need to do is progarm the new address into the decoder without having to “de-program” the decoder first. The only other thing that may need to be done is to change CV29 to indicate changes from a long to short address, or vice versa, if your command station does’t automatically configure CV29.
.

7

Thanks everybody for the help[:D] But I’m sorry I didnt mention that I have an atlas DCC system and not a digitrax one. I just looked in the manual and found the section on resetting CV’s and adresses but it did’nt work, and all of my decoders are either Atlas or NCE and are NMRA certified. Could the unit be defective? Anyways, I’ve decided to buy a Digitrax zephyr.
Dave

8

Just enter a new address, it should over write the previous one.