I have the Digitrax Super Empire Builder with the DB 150 command station/booster. While I have been running trains with this system for sometime, I am just starting with the programming aspect. I have a BLI class J (N&W) #611. As with all of these, the default address is 03. I want to program it to, well, 611. I powered up the system and had the DB 150 turned to ops . I pressed the PROG key on the DT 400. The display went to Ad2 = ???. I pressed the Right toggle and the display went to Ad4 == ???. The CVNo Pg dAt on the bottom line. I entered 0611 and pressed the enter key. I stated FAIL. I changed the CVNo to Po and the dAt changed to 03. I again changed the address to 0611. The display changed to aD4on?=y. But my throttle never beeped nor did I ever see a blinking square. What sequence of moves do I need to make to change the address on the locomotive to 0611? I had the locomotive on an isolated track AND it was the only locomotive on the entire layout. HELP!!!
When you see the AD4on?=y+, you have to press the y+ key to enable long address.
Why are you messing with OPs mode with a DB150? Just use Page mode and be done with it. Just remember to remove all other locos from the layout. When you have the new address programmed, then you can use OPs mode just fine.
David B
Digitrax recommends the pg (paged mode) for programing. However I have had many decoders including Digitrax’s that won’t take programming on the pg mode. I have had to use pd,po and ph modes many times. You also have only a few seconds to press the Y button when you get that addon display. I also have the Empire Builder and find you just have to be patient and try all the programming modes.
The BLI N&W seemed that it would only be “recognized” by Digitrax DP 150 when it was in the Po mode. I also notice that the throttle has printed out the default address of the locomotive 03. I am going downstairs now to try again with some of the suggestions. Wish me luck!!!
The DB150 will program ANY decoder the FIRST time EVERYTIME in Pg mode. It has FULL POWER programming.
There is not a decoder on the market that it wont program. And you will NEVER need a booster.
The ONLY downside is the lack of CV readback. If you want that, then get yourself a PR3.
David B
The DB 150 will not program the BLI. It does not recognize the Pg mode. Every time that I use the Pg mode. It reads back FAIL. It won’t respond to Ph or Pd either. It only responds to Po. I turn on the power then switch the DB 150 to ops. Then press the PROG button. Up pops Ad2 = ???; so I press the Right throttle button and Ad4 == ??? appears. I set the address for 0611 and press ENTER. Up pops Ad4on?=y; I press the Y + key and nothing happens. I never here the throttle beep. I am not certain what is going wrong. On one occasion tonight, I get the locomotive to accept the address. The locomotive spoke saying CV 01 is 611. I was able to move to the other CV’s. I programed CV 02, 03,etc. After each CV the throttle asked a number on the right side. I programmed in numbers I have on another locomotive and with each entry the throttle read out GOOD. I thought that I was in business until I exited the programming mode and went to RUN. The locomotive did not recognize the 611 address and was back to the default address 03. I was never able to get back “In” like that. This is frustrating!!
With QSI decoders, it happens sometime that CV29 does not receive the proper value in time from the command station. What I do when this happens, is programming a value of 34 into CV29 and all is well.
After you hit the Y+ button, you then have to hit PWR Y+ to turn the track power back on. When you are programming in PG mode the system turns off the track power and you need to turn it back on.
Is this the Paragon, Paragon 2 or Blueline version of this loco?
David B
It is a Paragon version. I finally got the locomotive to accept its new address! Then, got the DT 400 to go to the CV addresses. I programmed CV02, CV03, CV04, CV05, CV06, CV29, CV 112, CV114, CV115, CV 116, CV120, CV121, And CV122. After each, the throttle printed GOOD. It lied!! The only thing that the locomotive “heard” was its new address, 611. It ran forwards and backwards just fine, but there was no acceleration or deceleration programming and NO SOUND. I tried programming it again but the locomotive failed to hear me again (just like my kid). Now, the problem could be the numbers that I used as values for each of the CV’s. I have a Southern brass 0-8-0 with a Tsunami sound decoder that someone else painted, wired, and programmed. So, I used those numbers thinking that I could later change the CV number if for example, the locomotive accelerated too fast. Just guessing at this point. I had however, by reading THE ENTIRE EMPIRE BUILDER MANUAL last night (after lights out/in another room) discover the PWR Y+ and PWR N- part. So, I was able to run the locomotive. I am thinking that I need to go to my local community college and take some computer programming courses. I have an older computer that was replaced about 18 months ago and was considering the Digitrax MS 100 and PR3. But, at this stage of my training, I am going to punt for a while.
You should put the toggle switch on the right of the DB 150 to the run position. The ops position is used for changing the DB 150 option switches not ops mode programming. Usually I use pg to program addresses unless I have to use one of the other modes, and po to program CV’s. Today I had six locos to program, all took the 4 digit address on pg, but would not accept CV changes on po so I had to use pg for the CV’s too.