I can’t seem to program with my Zephyr: In paged programming mode, I’m getting only a d nd error message using the CV-RD key, whether on mainline(OPS mode same thing) or on programming track. Prog. track is connected, test loco is known to work properly with Digitrax decoder- it runs fine with all functions working , previously programmed address operates loco fine. If the address works the loco, why can’t CV-RD identify it? I was able to program previously just fine, but can’t now . Sure would appreciate some advice.
Kevin:
Is this a new unit? My first Zephyr would not read or program decoders right out of the box. It had a broken connection inside the unit. I brought it back to the LHS and exchanged it. No problems with the replacement.
d nd is the open circuit error and assuming your Zephyr is working (may be wrong assumption of course!) it means that the decoder is not being seen on the program track. Do you have any decoder equipped locos that can be seen?
Things I would check.
- Wheels and program track are really clean.
- Wiring integrity of program track is good.
Is your program track separate from the main layout, or can you run your loco into the program track on the layout and switch to program mode?
You can’t read from the main in OPS mode, unless you install transponding and use ony Digitrax decoders. So that part is normal.
If you disconencted and moved things since you previously programmed - make usre the program track wires are in the correct screws on the back of the Zephyr. Thay are NOT next to each other, the GND terminal is between the two program track wires.
If your program track is part of the layout, you should be careful not to run a loco across the gaps if connected to the program trakc outputs - this allows track power to feed back in to the program track outputs, possibly damaging something. Use a DPDT toggle to switch the power source for the program section back and forth between track and program output, set it on the TRACK side, run the loco in, and then set it to PROGRAM.
One other thing to try, in the back of the manual there is the procedure for doing a full reset by switching OpSw 39. Give that a try too.
–Randy
Thanks all for the advice- I did contact Digitrax tech support, they think a component has failed and I should send it in ( hopefully for warranty work!). PS. Does it take an electrical engineering degree to fully understand this stuff?
Not at all. The Zephyr manual is pretty straightforward, but you are a bit limited in what 4 LED characters can actually ‘say’ as far as status messages. Using the DT400 is quite a bit easier for programming, and DecoderPro in JMRI makes programming a snap. The software is free, but to connect it to your Zephyr you need a Locobuffer from RR-CirKits.
And all you ever really need to program, for the most part, is an address and MAYBE the start voltage CV02. Unless you start getting sound units - you’ll at least want to adjust teh volume settings on those as all the ones I’ve seen so far witht he exception of the BLI SW switchers come with all the sounds cranked up to 11 (Spinal Tap reference there - ie, TOO LOUD!).
Just take your time and perform any operation following the steps in the manuals exactly. Leaving out a step WILL make the process fail.
–Randy
Is it only me, but I find it worrying that there are two people on this short thread that have had to send their Digitrax stuff back because of failure out of the box. Is this a common probelm with Digitrax?
I’m leading up to selecting which DCC manufacturer to buy and it now looks like Digitrax ain’t the one. Comments guys? (Not about capability but continuous quality.)
Cheers
Barry
Just saw this on the ‘General Discussion’ forum…
‘What I’d like to know is, do these engines have the same Digitrax speed jump problem when accelerating with BEMF enabled? I’d like to hope that Digitrax fixed that with these new decoders.’
Mmmm… add that to my last post.
Barry
I was thinking of going with a Digitrax system… that is what I had before, with no problems… but now I am wondering about quality control.
What other choices of DCC systems?
Sorry, don’t let me hijack this, send me a email with this info.
I will be watching to see the outcome of the above problems. Interesting.
Don’t get me wrong, not out to crucify Digitrax, just want solution to my problems. By the way, my father and brother both have Digitrax systems and are very happy. ( they do not, however have the Zephyr controller). Hmmmm…
Sounds like a upgrade is a good idea??? I don’t want to crucify any manufacturer, just when I spend my bucks, I want it to work… like everyone else.
Forums are great for doing this. You might have a very minor problem, if you do, that’s where we all want to know about it… if Digitrax has a problem, we want to know about that also.
We can learn from others mistakes and have fun doing it.
Have a great weekend !
Digitrax has one of the largest installed bases of any DCC manufacturer. There are thousands of Zephyr owners, it is probably the most widely used DCC system of all. When a thread with a title that says “I have a problem with my X” there is always going to be at least one other that says I have a problem as well. Just look at some of the BLI threads!
There is only one Out of Box failure mentioned in this thread and it was handled immidiately by the vendor. The initiator of the thread says that it used to work and now does not and that it is hopefully covered by the warranty. This is not an OOB failure. As has been stated above, a poor installation of the program track can actually result in the damage to the progam track electronics. Based on the information we have, this could be the reason for the problem?
Anyway, all I can say guys is that Digitrax makes an excellent product and most importantly stands behind the product. If you are willing to dismiss a manufacturer because you have heard of 2 folks with problems, I would suspect that you will not be able to find a DCC system to purchase!
MRC, NCE, Lenz, CVP, Bachmann, Zimo, ZTC plus several others in Europe all make DCC systems.
Saying they have quality control problems because two people in a thread on a message board with HOW many subscribers said they had problems is bad math. But then the so-called ‘news’ has been bombarding us with bad math for years, so it’s completely understandable.
The same thing happens on the Digitrax group on Yahoo. But there’s over 6000 members there! If 10 report a problem, that’s less than 0.2%! That’s probably BETTER than most consumer electronics you buy at Best Buy or Circuit City. The problem is that when you post a thread about a problem, that’s all you hear about. For all the two that have had problems out of the box, there’s been hundreds who didn’t, but not everyone is going to start posting about how theirs worked fine blah blah. But everything I’ve gotten from Digitrax so far, from 3 different suppliers, has been just fine, and continues to work fine.
That’s also why there’s a disclaimer when you post a poll here. What you get is an accurate poll of model railroaders who happen to subscribe to this forum, not model railroaders in general.
–Randy
Wow! rrinker! How come you got out of your pram? All I asked was, is this a trend??? And don’t criticise my math!!! It’s a fair and straightfoward question! Not a poll, not a ‘let’s crucify Digitrax’ kick off, not anything apart from… I may buy Doigitrax is it OK? So get back in your pram!
I wrote:
I also wrote:
I don’t think these two statements that I made deserve the responses that I got. I have been out of trains for awhile and just getting back in. I also just started looking at these train forums, so I don’t know if Digitrax has a problem or not.
Thanks for all the statistics, they are extremely helpful. I had the Digitrax Empire Builder several years ago (think that’s the one I had) and had zero problems with it. Our club had two chief setups with not hardly a bobble. I will always lean toward Digitrax, but I also want to know if there are any issues.
Now, let’s see if we can help Kevin find a solution to his problem. Sorry for taking it off track… [;)]
Kevin has the solution to his problem. Digitrax tech support have said they beleive it is a component failure and asked for it to be returned. The only thing we don’t know is if this was a random component failure, or if it was as a result of something Kevin did.
If the program track is integrated into the layout (not an uncommon thing to do) and a powered loco is run into the program section when it is set to program, then components can be blown out when the full power from the track is bridged into the program track by the loco. It is reccomended practice to have a dead section the length of the longest loco protecting the program track when it is set to program. This is not specific to Digitrax and is also suggested practice on NCE systems as well.
I am sorry if my previous post came off a bit strong. I don’t want anyone to reach a conclusion about Digitrax quality based on a small thread like this.
I spend a lot of time here, Gentlemen, and can assure those who have been put off by a couple of responses that they were in no way meant to be terse, condescending, or inflammatory. These folks are longtime regulars, particularly rrinker (Randy), who is our resident DCC guru. He thoughtfully responds to dozens of inquiries weekly on this and other subjects related to DCC, and he has been mmost even-handed…not favouring a single system over others.
Please, let us remember that these threads are virtual microcosms, and as others have pointed out, are very narrowly focused if done right. [:)] Due to the problems of language, being distracted, tired, etc., use of terms can sometimes go wrong. But I think that the exchange of information and opinion have been most civil so far. So, let’s keep it that way. Randy meant no offence…I know him well enough that I can say that with confidence…and I saw none in his reply above. He merely stated that we should keep it all in perspective. He’s a techie, doncha know?
Respectfully,
-Crandell
Hey Crandell,
Thanks for the post, I am here to learn and decide what to buy. I like to be sure when I spend my hard earned dollars, I am doing it for something that works as it should.
I am also sorry for taking this discussion down the wrong path. I know better… I just need to remember that.
Ya’ll have a great day and weekend. I wish we had a LHS here… no place to go bumm around and handle the merchandise. 
Just because someone has 3503 posts does not give them the right to be rude. And I take the statment by rrinker to be condescending and arrogant. (Especially the use of words in UPPER CASE to make the point.) I come onto these pages to gather information and find out things. I live in the UK, we do not have the opportunity to talk to many other people about American Railroads, we don’t have the opportunity to try things out before we buy. I normally buy directly through the internet and want to make sure that what I buy is good quality, value for money and will work. It’s very simple. I am not up for attacking manufacturers, I’m not here to constantly ask dumb questions. I ask because I want to know. Just like hotshot charlie.
Maybe I’ll just give the whole MRR forum a miss for a few months and hope all those really good guys I have learned so much from from on these pages get the upper hand.
See ya!