DT 400 throttle

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

My DT400/DCS100 has issues with the Tsunami decoder.

You can setup the decoder for functions 1 thru 12. Problem is every time I try and set this up I get doubled functions.

1 thru 4 are no issue. The problems start from 5 and up. If I put :

function 5 = dim

function 6 = water stop

function 7 = coupler

function 8 = mute

And put normal for functions group 2 and 3 exchange under advanced.

Functions will not work.

If I exchange group 2 and 3, I get 5,6,7 and 8 to operate. Problem is they now also respond to 9,10,11, and 12 also. I am at a loss to determine if the throttle or the DCS100 are at the source.

Any suggestions ?

2

How old is your DCS100? The older 100s only support up to F10. However, for 35 dollars, you can get the guts of your DCS100 upgraded to support F28.

David B

3

I don’t believe that’s true. I am not aware of any Digitrax product that supports above F-12. Do you have a reference link that describes that upgrade?

4

I just got my DCS-100 back from Digitrax with the new chip upgrade for $35.00. The upgrade takes your DCS-100 from eight (8) functions to twelve (12) functions only.

5

I have no use for 28 functions. but I’d like to have 1 to 12 to function as it should.

Before the upgrade was your DT400 giving you the issue I mention ?.

6

There ya go!

So it will take it from 8 to 12.

David B

7

Possible, but does not answer my question. Before the upgrade what how did it handel the 4 additional functions: did nothing or did as I mentionned in post and sent out the same command on all F9 thru F12.

I see in Loconet monitor that I am sending F0 thru to F8. I’m also sending F9 thru to F12 but in a different packet format than seen with F0 thru F8.

As I mention in post I must swap group 2 (5,6,7,8) for group 3 (9,10,11,12) to get 5,6,7,8 to work. It makes no sense to me.

By the way , I’m doing these changes via DecoderPro

8

You are programing a sound decoder. The DCS-100 does not do “blast mode” programing, which is needed for sound decoders. (The Digitrax Zepher does blast mode, but not the DCS-100 or DB-150) Eventhough you are using Decoder Pro, you are programing your sound decoder through your Digitrax DCS-100. I would suggest you purchase a “Power Pacs” (I have one as I just got my first sound locomotive.) for your Digitrax system. I have a Digitrax Chief and use the Power Pacs with Decoder Pro.

9

Wrong… I have PowerPax (even thow it works perfectly without it)… that is not the issue at all. I’m trying to understand the difference between the swap group 2, 3 and the normal setting for CV 30 on this Backmann Tsunami. The original Tsunami’s I have also do the same thing. It is not a issue of unable to program at all.

Before you had the update done to your DCS100, how were the F9 thru 12 responding is what I would like to know. Mine respond but give the same sound as defined on F6 function, in my case that is the water stop.

10

OK…just a thought on the Power Pax.

Before the upgrade I did not try the functions above eight. I have one sound locomotive, Atlas MP15 and don’t do much function programing other than lights and bell.

I don’t use my DT400 for programing and don’t much care to use it in operating (too man buttons). I have older DT-100R and DT-300R throttles. Since I use Decoder Pro for programing my throtles are primarily for speed control, lights and bell. My DT-400R was not responding due to too many trips to the canyon (concrete basement floor.) I wanted it in service for operating sessions, so when I sent it to Digitrax for repair, I decided to get the DCS-100 upgraded at the same time. In fact I had started another post regarding the use for aditional functions.

Sorry, that I can not be of further assistance to you with your problem.

11

UpNorth, it is important that we get all the information with your origional post.

Mentioning that fact that it is an OEM Bachmann Tsunami would have helped, as well as the fact that you use a power pack.

I am familiar with the Bachmann Tsunami as well as the full versions. The Bachmann Tsunami tends to be more finiky than it’s big brother counterpart.

In terms of your DCS100, if you have the older version, you might come across the higher functions acting like you describe.

David B

12

No current Digitrax throttle supports above F12, but the current DCS-100 and Zephyr command stations do. You can access them using the on screen throttle available in JMRI. I don’t have a link that describes it, but I have controled all of the functions on my Athearn Challenger using my PC and Digitrax Zephyr.

13

Great thanks. I gave up. It works, just makes no sense.