A few weeks ago; I was looking for information on small DCC systems for use on my work bench. The main requirement was a computer interface. My layout is run with a Prodigy Advance.
Today, I received my Zephyr and a LocoBuffer-USB. I hooked up a programing track and short “operations” track. Decoder pro was installed in my laptop computer.
I grabbed three engines to start learning how things would work: #2- a Bachmann cheap diesel, # 6 - a brass 2-6-2 with a Lenz LE1000W decoder, and # 7 - a Roundhouse Shay with a Lenz LE1000W decoder. All three work fine with the PA and the PA will read and write data to all three on the programming track. All three can be run by the Zephyr on the operating track for direction, speed, and light on/off (they were originally programmed by the PA).
The Zephyr will only read #6 on the programming track; the others show up as “d nd” or no decoder detected. The Zephyr will not program either #2 or #7 on the operating track or the program track. The PA will read and program both units without any problems (I tried different values on both the programming and operating track to be sure). Decoder Pro (with the Zephyr) will page program # 7 on the Zephyr programming track, even though it tries several times for each value to actually work. The Bachmann diesel resist all attempts to read or program by the Zephyr with or without Decoder Pro on either the programming track or the operating track.
Any hints as to why the Zephyr (with or without Decoder Pro and locoBuffer) will not read or program a simple off-the-shelf cheap Bachmann or one of two Lenz Value-line decoders? Is the Zephyr noted for being finicky for load on the programming track?
Thanks for reading this and any help that you may offer.
The Zephyr will read and write to only one of the three decoders. It " works fine" with one of the two LE1000W decoders. All three engines can be run on the operations track with the PA programmed addresses (and other CV values) even though the Zephyr can not change even the address on two of the engines.
I found that adding a 1.2k resistor across the programing track would allow all three of the listed units to be read and programmed.
I was also able to read my two P2k 0-6-0’s on the programming track. Decoder Pro did not recognize the 0-6-0’s (there may be an update for this decoder available) however, I used another QSI decoder and could read the CV values by using that.
I will keep playing and update as new info surfaces.
Many of the newer locomotives have three characteristics that effect the acknowledgement pulse which is generated from the motor; 1.) QSI, Tsunami and other sound locomotives have capacitors in their circuits that effect the motor pulse. 2.) many newer locomotives have very efficient motors as compared to their older counterparts. The motor current draw is not enough to create enough of a pulse; hence the addition of the 1.2 K ohm resistor across the track increases the total current by adding its current to the motor pulse current for a suitable acknowledgement. 3.) Bachmann locomotives have a LC noise suppression filter (for European RF Radio/TV interference requirements). Its job is to suppress motor noise (in this case, pulse). If you are using this locomotive on DCC, be sure to remove the filter as this can effect your PWM motor control as well as create issues with Back EMF capable decoders.
I was curious whether some of your issues were having had to do with sound units. But the three that you listed previously didn’t mention sound.
I know that the Zephyr has had some issues in the past with reading and programming BLI locomotives with QSI. The fix is the PowerPax from Tony’s Train Exchange. But if the 1.2K resistor across the programming track works well enough…
The first three engines that I tried were low end engines/decoders ( $30 DCC equipped diesel and two one function Lenz decoders). I would expect any system to work with these “standard” items. Strangely, I got an update for Decoder Pro and it read the QSI units just fine (without the resistor across the programming track) Since it worked with the QSI unit, I figured that there might be a load problem; and it worked out that that was the problem.
I got all of my engines read in and the data saved; except for the two Roundhouse 4-4-0’s which have an MRC decoder with no read back capability.
This is a common problem with the low-end Lenz decoders - all three of the locos you had issues with are exactly that. Bachmann uses an older cheap Lenz decoder for their low-end decoder equipped locos (supposedly the new Spectrum steam with sound will use the Tsunami). Adding the resistor to increased the load on the program track is the solution. But you need to remove it to try the P2K with the QSI decoder. I’ve been able to get readback on my QSI decoders with my Zephyr. It seems to help to mute the sound and also disable the verbal readback, even though it isn’t supposed to mean anything on the program track. --Randy
It would be nice if Digitrax would put some kind of note in the manual that “some” decoders might require an additional load across the program track; I am sure that many people, other than me, will buy the cheap Bachmann diesels (for test purposes if nothing else). My Prodigy Advance worked without a hitch on all of my engines, including reading the address of the MRC decoder engines.
I did get the bench set up to work on engines. I have DC and the Zephyr set up on a 4’ track that is switchable for operation or programming and the LocoBuffer-USB for interface to my laptop computer. I got all of my decoder equipped engines read into the data base, except for the unreadable 4-4-0’s with MRC decoders. Now I don’t have to work on a stool beside the layout. I have a Tsunami on back order for the Bachmann low boiler 4-6-0 (that should be fun with a shoe horn).
Well, they generally don’t - I use NCE, Digitrax and TCS decoders, plus the ESU in my PCM loco and QSI in BLI locos, and never had to do anything extra. It’s those dang el-cheapo Lenz decoders. But of course, Lenz is the standards bearer and THEIR stuff is 100% NMRA, so it’s obviously a Digitrax problem - except other systems have problems with those decoders as well. I believe they are discontinued by Lenz though, except Bachmann still shoves them in. For the price, the NCE D13SRJ is a far superior decoder. Suffice to say, unless someone can show me a REALLY good reason why I should spend $30 for a Lenz decoder when the $12 NCE performs really well in my locos, I won’t be buying any Lenz decoders.
The LE1000W is available locally for $14 not $30. The Bachmann engine, with DCC already installed was only $32. The Bachmann engine only works so-so; but I got it just to run on dirty track and check the DCC system out. The Lenz controllers were installed in all of my 15 yr old engines to see what could really be salvaged. Turns out that only 2 of my old engines were worth trying to run in the present layout. The Lenz LE1000W controllers work fine; I have no complaints on how they work (for a single function controller).
