Is anybody running a power booster to their Prgram Track? (up the voltage to that track) heard that may be required to program thes units.
I am haing a time programing a BLI and Genesis units. Also reading them
Set-up
Dcs-100
Decoder pro
Program track is on the bench connected to the program out put from the DCS-100
Thank you
P.S. What mode ? Page, Direct etc?
Can’t use the DCS100. See ad in MR for the new LocoBuffer USB to use DecoderPro
Sorry should have been more clear[:I][:I]
DCS-100
Locobiffer USB
Laptop
Seperate program Track
Decoder pro works fine on ALL but the BLI and Genesis units, saw and ad for a BOOSTER for the program track
Thank you
No booster, but it seems something’s a bit different with the Zephyr, it seems to be able to program just about anything (except I’ve seen mention of Lenz issues - but I don;t use any Lenz decoders). I’ve been able to program QSI, ESU, and Soundtraxx just fine (old Soundtraxx LC, no Tsunamis yet). The alternative to using a booster is to program such locos on the main using Ops Mode. With QSI at least you can change the address in Ops Mode. Didn’t try with the Loksound. ANd a good trick to maybe help with the QSI - make sure the lights are off, AND mute the sound. Don’t leave it off the rails for long - this is where having the program track as part of the layotu with a toggle switch can help - keep it powered until you are ready to program, it seems to keep the capacitor charged.
–Randy
Haven’t had a problem programing BLI on my Digitrax. I also have a DCS 100, Locobuffer II, laptop & programming track. I did use some stranded 18 G wire to my programming track, with only about a 3 foot run. Maybe that has something to do with it. I did have problems with connecting with the locobuffer untill I downloaded a newer version from JMRI ( I think its 6. something). Now everything works flawlessly. What version of JMRI do you have? Do you have large enough wires to you programming track? Is it clean? Just some ideas for ya! Good luck [:)]
Good points will check, As far as JMRI it is the latest beta version that was recommended on their group site.
Wire, now taht could be it, I can run #12awg to the computer room then step it down to the track. As far as clean it is new track and wiped each time.
Thank you.
I can program every decoder that I have (100LC,QSI, Tsunami) in Ops Mode with my Super Empire Builder. Also, I can program on the main using Page mode, but I use a program track. If you can’t get a 4-digit (extended) address to come alive for a QSI, don’t forget to program CV 29 with a decimal value of 38 after you have set your address. The decoder won’t recognize its own name unless you do that. So, when I use Page Mode and input an extended address, the power is killed to the track immediately when I hit enter. But, the address has been taken by the decoder; it just needs to be enabled by changing the value in CV29 to 38, exiting, and then dialing that new address on a throttle. The QSI decoder will come alive, and you’ll get your sounds.
Thank you, so it is not volts it is address of the CV that was the answer.
Could be. All I can say is I read the instructions in the Digitrax DT400 manual, and could not get the results that the manual said I should get. So, I did everything on a programming track in Page mode, and when the DB150 shut down the power to the track when I pressed “enter” to enter the address, I did not do the next steps as directed. Instead, I powered up the track using the DT400, entered Ops mode, acquired CV 29, and dialed the right knob up to 38. I pressed “enter”, and nothing happened. On a hunch, I exited programming, manually dialed the new address on my throttle, and the QSI decoder came to life. No sounds or activity until I actually dialed in the address and clicked the encoder (throttle knob).