Ok I have a Zephyr DCC starter set, and I have two Bachmann Dcc GP 35 with Dcc equipped. It says on box for use with all NMRA/NEM, compliant. So the manual says to set up a isolated programming track, and set the loco you want to program first. First thing to do is hit PROG then hit Loco and use ether a 2 digit address or 4 digit address, I pick 4. Then I push CV-RV, it show AD4 for four digit address then show “d nd” which means it can’t read the loco. I have to loco dcc from bachmman, both run fine on address 03, but I can’t program them to not run together. Can anyone lend me a hand? Thanks
Which manual are you using? Is this a Bachmann manual for the loco, or the Digitrax manual for the Zephyr? I find that the manual for the DCC controller manufacturer is the best one for programming addresses.
If you follow the instructions for the two or four digit address (different steps, right?), did you exit programming and then go back into programming in Ops mode, dial in CV 29, and input a value of 38? Exit programming after entering, and then dial in the new address and activate the encoder or knob to actually acquire the loco. Will it move now?
Some systems need a programming booster because they severely limit voltage to the track in Page mode. I do not use the Zephyr, but it may the one of those systems.
The need for a booster usually only applies when programming sound decoders, because the sound portion draws enough current to make the command station think the current-limited programming track is shorted.
That said, the Zephyr actually has an undocumented “blast mode” for programming sound decoders. It’s accessed by setting an OPSW 7 to closed. So the Zephyr itself is about the only command station that doesn’t need a booster to program sound decoders.
Anyway, I agree with the advice to use the Zephyr’s instructions rather than the decoder’s. The d-nd means “decoder not detected”. In other words, the command station isn’t getting any feedback that indicates there’s a decoder on the programming track. So check again to be absolutely sure you have the programming track wired correctly. Then make sure that the programming track and the loco’s wheels are clean.
If all else fails, the Zephyr can do OPS mode programming (programming on the main). Just be sure that you only have one loco on the track at a time, or you will program all of them the same!
Those Bachmann locos use a very cheap older Lenz decoder, and these can be somewhat picky. Some people have made them work by adding a resistor across the program track. In your Zephyr box should have been a resistor along with the Loconet test plug. Connect this resistor across the program track and try that. --Randy